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Saint-Maximin walks
Saint-Maximin - Uzès
A route that starts in the heath and climbs up ancient paths to the heart of Uzès. Take a short tour of the town and descend via the pleasant green area around the Eure fountain. Then climb back up to "the Mountain" (as it is called), where you can enjoy a superb view of the bishopric of Uzès. The return journey through the woods and heath is dotted with drystone shelters.
The source of the Eure in Uzès
A walk along the Alzon river allows you to discover the source of the Eure, which was captured by the Romans to supply Nîmes with drinking water via the aqueduct. The remains are still visible. The walk then climbs to a magnificent viewpoint offering a wide panorama of Uzès.
The Vallée de l'Eure, Uzès
A circuit around Uzès, discovering the Eure valley and its source that once fed the city of Nimes, then a loop through Gardoise scrubland to return to Uzès.
La Chapelle and Grotte de la Baume from Sanilhac-Sagriès
A beautiful walk through the Mediterranean forest to reach the Gardon and enjoy La Chapelle. Please note that the cave is closed from 1 May to 15 August and from 15 November to 15 March.
The descent is gentle, but the climb back up is steeper, though fairly short.
Alternatively, set off from Collias to enjoy the Gardon Gorges for longer
30/10/2023: I have reclassified this route as "medium difficulty" following several comments about the steep climb on the way back (+100m over 300m)
The Gardon Gorges
A walk beginning above the Gardon Gorges and continuing down along Gardon River. Please note that part of the route crosses an area destroyed by fires in 2017.
L'Ermitage de Collias (Collias hermitage)
Family outing visiting the beautiful site of Collias Hermitage.
Collias Hermitage Valley and Camp de Gibert ridges
A short circular loop that passes through the Hermitage and climbs up the wild Hermitage valley along a small, cool, shaded path.
After a small cultivated area, you return northwards along a track on the ridges overlooking the wild Fressinière valley. The end of the route offers superb views of the north of the valley, its villages, Mont Bouquet, Mont Ventoux and the Pont du Gard.
Caution: avoid this route when the rock is wet as some sections are slippery.
The quarries of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie
This is a fairly shaded hike, with one section offering a lovely view. The quarries are a fun and peaceful place for a picnic. The distance is not a problem as there is little elevation gain, making this a hike that is accessible to many, with the added bonus of a visit to Saint Quentin and its pottery workshops on the way back!
Loop from Saint-Hippolyte-de-Montaigu to Masmolène
Set off to explore the small villages of the Uzège, the sandstone and quartzite formations classified by André Malraux, the remains of Copper Age huts and a beautiful, well-restored Romanesque chapel.
The quarries and Roman ruins at Vers-Pont-du-Gard
Discover the village wash-houses, the Pouzaranque de Plagnol, the capitelles to the North and the ruins of the Roman aqueduct.
From La Moustarde to La Baume de Saint-Vérédème via the Gorges du Gardon
Follow theGR®6 trailthrough the heath, then descend to a magnificent wood of huge pine trees on the banks of the Gardon. The view is exceptional! The trail then follows the banks of the Gardon, passing by its resurgences. You will then arrive at the Moulin de la Barque and the Hermitage of Saint-Vérédème. The Baume that follows crosses the wall and requires a torch, but is only open part of the year to protect the bats. A steep climb equipped with handholds allows you to return via theGR®6.
The Blauzac Capitelles
Discover Blauzac, its Roman bridge and its "capitelles", dry-stone buildings used mainly as shelters for farmers.
Le Bois des Coufines: a balcony overlooking the Gardon, with arches and caves
This hike is only permitted from 1 July to 14 January
This circuit, on the right bank of the Gardon, alternates between balcony paths overlooking the Gardon gorges with unobstructed views to the north, then descends to the river and climbs back up through a wild valley. On the heights, the cliffs offer arches and caves carved into the limestone rock.
Moderator's note Please note that some sections of the trail are in poor condition. See reviews
The Pont Saint-Nicolas loop
From the Pont Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac and its priory, a loop takes you through part of the Gorges du Gardon. You can admire the meandering Gardon, the Grotte de la Trône (an ancient prehistoric shelter with drawings of mammoths and a feline dating from the Upper Palaeolithic behind a closed iron door), the Baume Percée, seen from above and below, the climbing cliffs at Russan...
La Capelle and Masmolène
Passing through garrigue, the shade of holm oaks and vineyards, this hike will allow you to discover an old restored windmill, Gallo-Roman ruins and an XIth century Romanesque chapel with, from time to time, a breathtaking 360° panorama...
Addition Moderator on 05/06/2021 : modifications on the ground since the publication of this hike. Make sure to read the comments and opinions below before leaving.
The vineyards of Bourdic
Stroll through the vineyards around Bourdic to discover the grape varieties and the amazing rocks carved into the walls of an ancient Roman quarry.
Circular Vic via Pont Saint-Nicolas
Hike through the heart of the heath, along the cliffs overlooking the Gardon. The views of the Saint-Nicolas bridge and the river are magnificent.
Le Castellas from Vic
A very beautiful route that allows you to visit the small village of Vic and get as close as possible to the Gardon river with the sublime viewpoint of Castellas.
This hike is not recommended in the height of summer. Very little of the route is in the shade.
From Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard to Pont du Gard
A breathtaking heritage walk leading to one of the most beautiful wonders in France, the Pont du Gard.
Pont du Gard and remains of the aqueduct
A very pretty hike with no major difficulties. You will discover the Pont du Gard, of course, but also numerous remains of aqueducts and several aqueduct bridges in varying states of repair. A short detour along the left bank of the Gard allows you to visit the Grotte de la Balauzière, located in the ruins of an old village. Finally, on the plateau on the left bank, you can explore the very interesting Arboretum. During the walk, you can admire thousand-year-old olive trees and an arboretum.
And why not take a dip in the Gard?
The Pont du Gard and the Roman aqueduct
One of the most beautiful hikes to discover the tunnel (where the water flowed from Uzès to Nîmes), the Pont du Gard, and the remains of the Roman aqueduct.
Pont du Gard
Easy hike where you can discover the Pont du Gard and its environment.
The Sernhac tunnels
At Sernhac, south of Remoulins and Saint Bonnet du Gard, there are two tunnels that flank a small nice valley. The Perrotte and Cantarelles tunnels. Head through them to discover the chimneys by which men lowered equipment and raised the rubble during excavation. One can see traces of blows of pickaxes and holes for oil lamps. Today it is a quite popular place to find some shade and cool off for the villagers.
The Pont du Gard from Sernhac
Follow in the footsteps of the Roman aqueduct of Nîmes, between Sernhac and its tunnels and the Pont du Gard, passing through Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard and its fortified church.
The tunnels and hills of Sernhac
Sernhac is located on the route of the Roman aqueduct, between the Pont du Gard and Nîmes.
In the middle of the nearby heath, two tunnels dug into the limestone rock are the remains of this aqueduct.
Continuing the walk, you will visit an old windmill. You will then climb Ferraud Hill, offering beautiful views of the lower Rhône Valley, the Alpilles, and more. Then, on Marduel Hill, overlooking Remoulin and the Gardon River at its end, the view extends all the way to Ventoux.