This short route through the village of Saint-Chaptes in the Gard allows you to discover the rocks sculpted in open garrigue and also gives you a view over the village, its old narrow streets and its castle.
Calculated time: 1h15[?] 
Distance : 4.43km
Vertical gain : 8m
Vertical drop : 8m
Highest point : 83m
Lowest point : 68m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Saint-Chaptes
(30190)
Starting point : N 43.971938° / E 4.278233° (D) Leaving the Champ de Foire (fairground), head to the right on to Avenue de la République for 40 metres. You will come to a crossroads with a Protestant church on your left with the first fountain beside it.
Take the narrow street facing you between the building and the pharmacy, which leads to Place Ducros.
At the Place, turn immediately right to take the first narrow street, Rue du Four.
Follow this narrow street and turn left at the first narrow street you meet. It leads to Place de l’Église, the second church in the village (Catholic). Go around the left-hand side of the church and take Rue Peirre Ducros.
(1) Turn right, advance down Avenue Raoul Vezol and pass by the front of the castle on your right. Continue onwards and pass in front of the post office on your left until you reach a crossroads. Take a left down Rue de la Tour and continue on for about fifty metres.
(2) Then take a left turn, before the tight bend, on to Chemin des Roques, the first part of which is tarmacked. After crossing over the stream which runs alongside the village, the Chemin des Roques is no longer tarmacked. Continue straight ahead, following the track until you reach the second crossroads situated at the corner of the large rocks to be visited.
Take the path to the left, then head to the right towards the structure with the famous contemporary sculptures, which overlooks the surrounding garrigue.
(3) On the rocks, you can see Mont Bouquet on the horizon to the north. Towards the east, depending on the weather, you can just make out Mont Ventoux in the distance.
After visiting the rocks, return to the path which you left, heading due north, and follow this path straight ahead passing by an initial intersection on your right.
(4) At the next crossroads, turn left onto a straight path - an old railway line, which was dismantled during the second world war. Follow this path until you reach the next crossroads where you turn left.
(5) Go over the bridge crossing the Ruisseau de l'Arrière (Back Stream) and take the left heading towards the village and the first houses to end up in Rue Adrien Levat.
At the end of the road, take a right angle turn on to the Grand-Rue and pass by the front of the first church again on the right-hand side. Follow Avenue de la République in order to return to your point of departure on your left (A).
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 75m
1 : km 0.37 - alt. 76m - On the right, Avenue Raoul Vezol
2 : km 0.63 - alt. 74m - Chemin des Roques
3 : km 2.2 - alt. 83m - Sculpted Rocks
4 : km 2.6 - alt. 82m - Old railway line
5 : km 3.35 - alt. 77m - Bridge over the Ruisseau de l'Arrière (Back Stream
D/A : km 4.43 - alt. 75m
- Depart from, and return to, the Champ de Foire, with parking available.
- Easy hike on well-maintained paths, also possible on mountain/hybrid bikes.
- Take some water with you in the summertime.
- Standard hiking wear.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
To see:
- The village's old narrow streets, historic villages which are typical of the South of France.
- Two churchs (Catholic and Protestant), fountains.
- Delighful farm, family recreation park.
- 12th century chateau (visits are possible in July & August by appointment only).
- Garrigue landscape: alternating sections of crops (cereals and/or vegetables) and vines.
- Duché d'Uzès 15km away, Nîmes 20km away, Alès 40km away, Pont du Gard 30km away.
- Due to its position, Saint-Chaptes acts as a central base from which you can easily explore the area: from heading off to explore the Carmargue, to visiting the edge of the Cévennes mountains.
Events in the village:
-Town festivals in August,
- Witches' Fesitval on 1 November,
- The Camargue Races take place many times throughout the year, in arenas.
Global average : 3.83/5
Number of opinions : 2
Description quality : 4.5/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 3/5
Global average : 3.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 28/01/18
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Average
Directions conflicted with French walking signs which caused some confusion. (their loop was to the East whereas hikideas was to the West!)
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/10/17
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Average
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
