Tanargue – Beaume Valley: the paragliders’ ‘playground’

About 1 km north of Valgorge, in the hamlet of Le Chambon; park along the track next to the paragliding landing area. There are few parking spaces; otherwise, look for a car park near Saint-Martin (slightly to the south-east).

(S/E) Take the track heading south-east; you are on a variant of^{the GRP®®} Le Cévenol, so follow the yellow and red markings. 200 metres further on, leave the track and take a path on the right which more or less follows the Baume. After a footbridge, you’ll come out onto the D24; follow it to the right for about 50 metres.

(1) Turn left (unmarked) onto the first small road. Walk uphill until you come to a small wayside cross at a junction. Turn left, following the yellow markings, to reach the hamlet of Chalas; walk through it until you find the hiking signpost.

(2) Turn left for 100 metres, then head uphill to the right. The path passes through a cluster of houses (Chalas Haut) before heading north-west, with a few stream crossings. You’ll reach a crossroads.

(3) Climb steeply to the right (towards Croix de Bauzon). Yellow markings are often missing on this section, sometimes replaced by one or two white lines. The path is, however, clearly marked; follow it to reach a track.

(4) Follow it to the right for 1 km until you reach a picnic area (the ‘L’Escoufour’ hiking signpost).

(5) Turn left, heading due south, onto a wide track which is none other than the^GRP®® Tour du Tanargue (marked with yellow and red signs). Follow it for several kilometres, first along long, winding hairpin bends uphill, then along the contour line. This will take you to the Col de Meyrand, at the D24 (300m past the Col de Meyrand signpost).

(6) Follow the departmental road to the left for 50 metres and look out for a small path leading uphill to the left through the heather to reach the paragliding take-off site. An ideal spot for a picnic with a breathtaking view over the whole of the Baume valley … well beyond Valgorge.

(7) Return to the Col de Meyrand.

(6) Rejoin the^GRP®® by heading north-west along a fence. Follow it along the contour line until it joins the^GR®®4.

(8) Turn left downhill towards Loubaresse. There are two sets of markings here: yellow and red, and white and red for the^GR®®. Reach Loubaresse.

(9) Cross the D24, go round the church to find and take a small road heading due south.

(10) 100m past a wayside cross, leave the^GR®® and turn left onto the yellow-marked path. A very pleasant, gentle descent. It takes you across several fords and across the D24 on three occasions. You’ll come out onto the D24 at a wayside cross (Croix du Perrier).

(11) Follow the path opposite, then take the D-road downhill for 200m before rejoining the marked path on the right. Continue until you reach a wide track.

(12) Ignore the track and the yellow markings going straight on (uphill) and take the^GRP®® marked in yellow and red on the right (downhill). Stay on this path until you reach the finish.

(13) Cross the D24 once more, then follow it to the left for about 500 metres.

(14) Leave the road and head downhill to the right to rejoin a track which, after passing through the hamlet of Le Chambon, takes you back to the starting point (S/E).

Numerous fords, both on the ascent and the descent, which can cause problems during wet weather. Avoid them especially if there is a risk of thunderstorms! Otherwise, they are easily managed.

A few animal enclosures to cross: make sure you close the gates properly.

Very rocky and unstable paths: make sure you wear sturdy footwear.

Water points at the start (1) and halfway along the route, at Loubaresse (9)

- Paragliding taster sessions and/or introductory courses (several professional operators in the area).

- Between (5) and (6): the Coucoulude climbing site.

- At (7), if you’re carrying a paraglider instead of a rucksack, this is where you should get it out – and have a great flight! Otherwise… carry on along the path.

- (8) La Baume spring, just south of this point.

- (9) Le Pégan country bistro in Loubaresse, a small village perched at 1,230 m

- Valgorge: tourist information centre and all amenities. (1 km south of (1))