Saint-André-de-Valborgne walks

From the summit of Mont Aigoual, discover l'Hort de Dieu, the Garden of God, a favorite spot for botanists since the Renaissance, and a testing ground for today's botanists."Remembering the good advice of the fabulist, we wanted to plant without delay; in the spring and especially in the autumn of 1903, we planted more than 1,200 plants, including 773 trees at the Hort de Dieu... As of now, we have 219 species of trees and shrubs in cultivation or under study at the Aigoual". Charles Flahault, 1904.

A short, easy hike, provided you're not prone to vertigo, from the summit of Mont Aigoual, offering breathtaking views of the Cévennes and the Hérault valley.

For experienced hikers, here is a 40 km loop starting from Valleraugue and reaching Aigoual via the famous 4,000 steps. It descends to Lac du Bonheur near Camprieu, then climbs back up to Espérou and ends along the ridges facing Mont Aigoual, which you will have discovered a few hours earlier. This hike is not technically difficult but is very long with some steep sections and requires good stamina.

From Valleraugue, take the famous 4000-step trail that climbs up to the Mont-Aigoual observatory. To complete the loop, follow theGR®6for a long descent through the forest towards Aire de Côte, before finishing with a crossing of the chestnut grove above the hamlet of Berthezène.

The route follows part of the drovers' road from Colognac to Mont Aigoual.

Twelfth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. It passes through several valleys among the Gardon rivers.

Eleventh stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage includes significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. This stage lies in the heart of the Cévennes National Park.

This magnificent hike is featured on the beautiful Massif de l'Aigoual map published by the Mont Aigoual Causses Tourist Office. Enjoy the diversity of the forests you will pass through, where you will constantly switch between beech, oak, fir and spruce trees. The panoramic views at (3) and at the André Chamson Monument are sublime.

Set amid pastures and wooded hills covered with chestnut trees, this Cévennes getaway offers splendid views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

These paths lead to terraces that were once cultivated and offer views of the surrounding hamlets. Most of this hike is in the shade of holm oaks and chestnut trees. You'll feel like you've stepped back in time in these typical Cévennes landscapes.

A circuit on the southern slopes of the Aigoual massif around the Lac des Pises, which can be done in winter on snowshoes (average altitude 1250 m) or on foot.

Despite its uninviting name, this is a superb hike under the forest canopy. The name comes from the fact that there was once no cemetery in Camprieu, forcing the inhabitants to carry their dead to the hamlet of Saint-Sauveur.

Loop starting from the car park at the spinning mill in Lasalle towards Sainte-Croix-de-Caldere and its magnificent chapel via the Col de l'Oursine. Return via Calviac and Saint-Bonnet-de-Salendrinque. Mainly in the woods, but you will still have plenty of magnificent views. Places to visit: Le Sollier and Le Castellas castles, the chapel of Sainte-Croix-de-Caldere, the Menhir à la Borie, the Salendrinque river and the spinning mills of Lasalle.

This walk is located on the north side of the Aigoual massif in the Cevennes. At the summit of the hike you will have a beautiful view of the Causse Mejean and the Valley of Jonte. On a clear day looking west you can see the Millau viaduct.

Located at an altitude of 600 m, in the foothills of the Cévennes, Colognac is a typical Cévennes village. The lush vegetation of the meadows, chestnut and oak trees contrasts with the arid heath. You are in the mountains. From the Col des Fosses (900 m), the views stretch north over the Borgne valley to the Barre des Cévennes, and south-west over the Viganais and beyond. At the start, the Mouleyrette mill is a little gem.

Le Vigan is not a particularly pretty or touristy town. However, if you stop off there, here's a walk to discover a few aspects of the historic centre and the banks of the river Arre.

This circular hike takes you through the Combe Chaude Nature Reserve, a nesting area for birds of prey and bats in the numerous caves. This limestone barrier overlooks the Rieutord valley and offers a beautiful view of much of the Cévennes in the Gard department. Don't miss the unusual crossing of the Baume Clauside, the climb up the Ranc de Banes offering a 360° panorama from Pic Saint-Loup to Mont Aigoual, and a short tour to discover the village at the end of the circuit.

Tenth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may involve significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. This stage essentially follows the Mimente valley before it flows into the Tarnon at Florac.

The hamlet of Cézas, in the commune of Sumène, clings to an altitude of 650 m between the Cagnasses and Fage mountains, in the heart of a national forest. This short mid-mountain route alternates between numerous shaded passages and views of the Cévennes and beyond. On the way, a visit to the 12th-century Priory of Saint-Martin is a must, offering a peaceful spot for a picnic.

This moderately difficult hike offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and Saint-Roman de Codières from the ridge of the Montagne de la Fage.

From Molières-Calaillac (greenway car park), climb towards Esparon, then descend towards Bez, then Lasfons and along the greenway.

An easy hike in the mineral world of the Causse Méjean: a plateau marked by both austerity and gentle tranquillity. You will stroll through a landscape full of curves, between hills and sinkholes at the bottom of which you will discover a lavogne (a small, circular depression in the ground) or a small cultivated field: one of the characteristic landscapes of the UNESCO-listed sites. (Route information provided by the Gorges du Tarn, Causses & Cévennes tourist office).

A magnificent hike amid broom and granite boulders. Beautiful descent between the ridge and the village of Vialas. Superb ridge trail along the impressive Trenze rock face.

Hike in the foothills of the Cévennes in a heath landscape with beautiful views of two characteristic hills: the Rouquette and Saint-Chamant peaks. The difficulty can be adjusted: each summit can be climbed on a short round trip. I recommend taking a break for a snack at the summit of Saint-Chamant.