Saint-Martial (Gard) walks

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

From the village of Laroque, take a tour of the Thaurac plateau and its many karstic caves.

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.

A beautiful autumn walk. Moderator's addition: For a slightly tricky section on the descent, it is advisable to do this hike in the opposite direction to the description

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.

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.

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.