Tour of the Causse Méjan

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A truly beautiful six-day hike on the Causse Méjan. This route does not cover the entire Causse but takes you around its western section and across its centre. Along the way, you’ll enjoy wide open spaces and superb views of the Gorges de la Jonte and the Gorges du Tarn. You’ll come across few other people on this hike, but the encounters with local farmers are warm and friendly.

Details

n°83258
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 56.22 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 7,831 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 7,805 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,750 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,309 ft

Photos

Le Tarn
Croix outillée
Cheval de Przewalski
Meyrueis

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Du Rozier à La Viale par les Corniches de la Jonte

    From Le Rozier to La Viale via the Corniches de la Jonte

    ↔7.05 mi ↗2,766 ft ↘1,148 ft
    This is the stage with the most elevation gain, but it is superb! The passage along the ledge above the Gorges de la Jonte offers magnificent aerial views. It is also a great place to watch vultures in flight.
    View the route
  2. 2
    De La Viale à Meyrueis par l'Aven Armand

    From La Viale to Meyrueis via the Aven Armand

    ↔12.23 mi ↗1,385 ft ↘1,952 ft
    This is the stage with the greatest horizontal distance (nearly 20 km). It starts in a wooded area before continuing across the Causse and through pastures. The stage ends with a descent into the valley, as required by the accommodation arrangements.
    View the route
  3. 3
    De Meyrueis à Nivoliers par Aures

    From Meyrueis to Nivoliers via Aures

    ↔9.59 mi ↗1,575 ft ↘797 ft
    A stage that allows you to fully appreciate the wide open spaces of the Causse! A very pleasant walk, with some beautiful views along the edge of the plateau.
    View the route
  4. 4
    De Nivoliers à Mas-Saint-Chély à la découverte des mégalithes

    From Nivoliers to Mas-Saint-Chély: exploring the megaliths

    ↔8.03 mi ↗509 ft ↘469 ft
    A transitional stage, with little change in altitude. Still the wide open spaces of the Causse, with a few megaliths along the way.
    View the route
  5. 5
    De Mas-Saint-Chély aux Vignes, au-dessus des Gorges du Tarn

    From Mas-Saint-Chély to Les Vignes, above the Gorges du Tarn

    ↔12.17 mi ↗807 ft ↘2,602 ft
    A long stage, culminating in the panoramic view of the Gorges du Tarn.
    View the route
  6. E
    Des Vignes au Rozier, le long du Tarn

    From Les Vignes to Le Rozier, along the Tarn

    ↔7.15 mi ↗791 ft ↘837 ft
    The final stage of this walk, and undoubtedly the easiest. The path follows the course of the Tarn and offers beautiful views of the river at various points.
    View the route

Notes

The walk follows theGR® 6 and 60 (red and white markings), as well as theGRP® Tour du Causse Méjan (red and yellow markings). A 1:25,000 map is required.

The individual stages are rated as Moderate or Difficult. For the entire circuit, as there is no intermediate rating, I have chosen ‘Difficult’ to reflect the stages rated as such.

I recommend completing this route in the direction described here (anti-clockwise). This is because the hike involves climbing twice from the valley up onto the Causse and descending twice from the Causse back down into the valley (each time involving a vertical ascent of around 500 metres). It so happens that by far the steepest section is between the hamlet of La Caxe and the Tarn Valley (stage 5), and it seems preferable to tackle this on the descent rather than the ascent.

Good walking boots are essential. You must bring warm clothing and rainwear. As long sections of the route are exposed, bring sun protection depending on the season and your own sensitivity to the sun.

Water sources are very scarce throughout this route; on some stages, there are none at all. Make sure you carry sufficient supplies for each stage.

Opportunities to buy provisions are unevenly distributed along the route: plentiful at Le Rozier and Meyrueis, limited elsewhere. There are a few opportunities (indicated in the descriptions of the relevant stages) to buy farm-produced or artisanal cheeses or farm-style cured meats. It is also possible to order packed lunches from the lodges or hotels you stay at (please enquire).

Accommodation in a stopover lodge or hotel every night (contact details on the information sheets for the various stages).

Hike undertaken by the author from 30 July to 4 August 2013.

Worth a visit

- The wide open spaces of the Causse.
- Cliffs overlooking the Gorges de la Jonte: superb views, vulture spotting.
- Panoramic views of the Gorges du Tarn.
- Przewalski’s horse reserve near Nivoliers.
- Karstic cave Armand.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Netra
Netra ★

Hello,

None of the stages involve any technical difficulty. There are no tricky sections in the sense that one would expect in the mountains. The only section that requires a little more attention than the others is on the penultimate stage (from Mas-Saint-Chély to Les Vignes), the steep descent between points (11) and (12).

The stages classified as ‘difficult’ are so rated because of their distance (> 20 km) or a combination of considerable distance and elevation gain. They are classified in this way according to the Visorando rating system, which is designed for a very broad and diverse audience.

I haven’t walked the Stevenson Trail, but it seems to me that this hike takes place in terrain similar to the Causse Méjan in terms of difficulty (though the landscapes are different). However, I don’t know whether your stages on the Stevenson Trail were shorter or longer, with more or less elevation gain, than those on the Causse Méjan.

Ultimately, the notion of difficulty depends on one’s own abilities… You therefore need to compare the characteristics of the different stages (distance, elevation gain) with what you’re used to tackling.

I hope this answer helps.

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Ralph78
Ralph78

Hello
I’d like to know whether the 6-day Tour des Causses Mejean, with its so-called difficult stages, is feasible for people who aren’t experienced hikers?
We’ve only ever done a 6-day hike on the Stevenson Trail five years ago, carrying our own rucksacks
Are the so-called ‘difficult’ stages particularly challenging and unsuitable for occasional or non-professional walkers, or not?
Thank you for your help
Kind regards
Ralph

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Bennett
Bennett

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A trip taken in mid-August 2021 in... 3.5 days!
Day one: set off from Le Rozier at around 8.00 am, and arrived at La Viale… at around 2.30 pm after a one-hour lunch break. It was too early to stop there, especially as I was on my own with my tent. So I carried on to Les Hérans, a hamlet just before the Aven Armand, where I pitched camp. During the night, I witnessed a thunderstorm rumbling over the Jonte. It was the first time I’d been almost at the same level as the clouds from which the lightning was striking. Very impressive and beautiful!
The next day, I set off around 7 am and walked to Nivoliers, without going via Meyrueis (it’s just a round trip and I’ve got everything I need in my rucksack), stopping for lunch in Aures. I camped in the centre of the village, near the restaurant, on the plot of land that the shop owner (who sells excellent fruit juices!) kindly and generously makes available to travellers, whether in tents or campervans.
The next day, I set off around 7 am once again, and walked to La Caxe, stopping for a bite to eat in Rieisse. I camped by the side of the path.
The following day, I set off once again at around 7 am for the final half-day’s walk. I arrived in Le Rozier in the early afternoon, which gave me time for a well-deserved meal out!
So I completed this route in 3.5 days. Over the first three days, I walked about 25 km, carrying my rucksack with my tent and food (almost entirely self-sufficient). It’s a lovely walk, but I didn’t find it difficult.
The scenery is truly beautiful; I was surrounded by peace and quiet – exactly what I was looking for – and I only came across a few other walkers.
All the hamlets were inhabited (as is to be expected in summer) and I was able to get fresh water wherever I stopped. Everyone was really friendly and welcoming.
It’s a walk I’d highly recommend, even though – for me, at least – it was much quicker than expected (I can’t imagine doing a section like Nivoliers–Mas Saint Chély as my only walk of the day, especially as I wasn’t carrying too much, given that the itinerary states you spend the night in a lodge).
In any case, thank you very much for this description – it was what made me decide to go, and it was really lovely!

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Netra
Netra ★
• Edited:

Hello,

I can’t download the overview sheet either (I get an ‘Error’ message). Sorry about that… I think it’s a general issue with the multi-stage route sheets.

However, you can download the guides and maps for each stage individually (I’ve just tested it with the first one).

I really enjoyed hiking on the Causse Méjan; I hope you’ll enjoy it too!

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AlexandreG34
AlexandreG34

Hello,
I’d like to go on this walk on 19 June and would appreciate access to the route description and map for that. Unfortunately, I’m unable to download them – there must be an error on the website. Would it be possible to send them to me by email, for example?
Many thanks in advance,
Alexandre

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Netra
Netra ★
• Edited:

Hello Claire, and thank you for your message.

I’m the author of this route and I understand your query. I myself hesitated over which rating to choose: let’s say an M+ or a D- would have been appropriate.

This route comprises six stages, with an average of 15 km in horizontal distance and 440 m of elevation gain per stage. According to our grading system, a day hike with these characteristics would fall on the borderline between M and D.

When you look at the details, out of six stages, only two are unambiguously not classified as ‘Difficult’ (the4th and6th). The other four feature a significant elevation gain (the 1st), a considerable distance (the 2nd,3rd and5th), exposed sections (the 1st) or a steep descent (the 5th). This is why the route as a whole has been classified as Difficult.

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ClaireBu
ClaireBu

Why is this hike rated as difficult? Is it because of its length, the elevation gain or the exposed sections? Thank you

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BruVel1486
BruVel1486

I’m particularly wondering about the accommodation options for this six-day route?

Right, thank you for clarifying that.
If we manage to go ahead with this walking trip (6 days on the Causse Méjean) at the end of May, we’ll be sure to let you know what we think.

Kind regards, Bruno V.

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Netra
Netra ★

I’m particularly wondering about the accommodation options for this six-day route?

I am the author and I can confirm that there is accommodation at each stage, the details of which I have provided. Of course, it is advisable to check that these options are still available. And in any case, it is wise to book well in advance.

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Hello,

No problem!
At each stage, the author specifies the available accommodation options.
Kind regards

Machine-translated

BruVel1486
BruVel1486

I’m particularly wondering about the accommodation options for this six-day route?

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking From Le Rozier to La Viale via the Corniches de la Jonte

Visorando Member
Du Rozier à La Viale par les Corniches de la Jonte
↔7.05 mi ↗+2,766 ft ↘-1,148 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
This is the stage with the most elevation gain, but it is superb! The passage along the ledge above the Gorges de la Jonte offers magnificent aerial views. It is also a great place to watch vultures in flight.

Walking Jonte Balcony Circular Route

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Boucle des balcons de la Jonte
↔18.45 mi ↗+4,347 ft ↘-4,344 ft ◔12 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
This hike offers some of the finest panoramic views from the ridges on both banks of the Jonte, taking you through the heart of the Causse Méjean and the Arcs de Saint-Pierre. It’s an alternative to the signposted routes, which each stay on a single bank, all in a circular route that can be completed in a long day!

Walking The Corniches du Méjean and Corniches du Tarn from Rozier

Visorando Member
Les Corniches du Méjean et du Tarn au départ de Rozier
↔10.66 mi ↗+2,618 ft ↘-2,598 ft ◔7h 10 ▲Difficult
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A beautiful, challenging circular hike with breathtaking views. The view from the Cinglegros rock is fantastic, but access is reserved for those who do not suffer from vertigo.

Walking The Méjean cliff path

Visorando Member
Les corniches du Méjean
↔6.76 mi ↗+2,579 ft ↘-2,572 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
Perhaps the most beautiful walk along the Causse Méjean, which traditionally starts out from Le Rozier. Here, by starting on the cliff top, there is less vertical drop, as you stay between 870 and 720m the whole way. As well as breath-taking scenery, you can see vultures circling above you and even below you on the cliffs!

Walking Causse Noir Corniche and Saint-Michel Hermitage

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Corniche du Causse Noir et Ermitage Saint-Michel
↔7.87 mi ↗+1,985 ft ↘-1,995 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
The Corniche du Causse Noir and the climb to the Saint-Michel Hermitage are a ‘classic’ route starting from Le Rozier. The path leading there offers magnificent views throughout of the entrance to the Gorges de la Jonte and the cliffs of the Corniche du Causse Méjean on the opposite bank. As for the climb to the hermitage, it has a touch of playful adventure about it. To spice up the usual route, we’ve opted to take a ‘forgotten’ path on the way back to reach Le Truel, thus completing a full loop along the Jonte. You’ll need stamina for the climb, a bit of skill to reach the hermitage and a good sense of direction for the second part, but this walk is well worth all the effort it requires. 

Walking Le Rozier - Les Vignes

Visorando Member
Le Rozier - Les Vignes
↔7.50 mi ↗+1,099 ft ↘-1,043 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
Thisthird stage of the Tour du Causse Méjean takes place entirely within the Gorges du Tarn. Following wide tracks or good footpaths, sometimes beneath overhanging rock formations, sometimes along the banks of the Tarn, this easy, shaded stage offers a very pleasant way to explore this part of the gorges.

Walking Encountering vultures

Visorando Member
À la rencontre des vautours
↔5.77 mi ↗+2,064 ft ↘-2,077 ft ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
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Walking Corniches of the Tarn and the Jonte

Visorando Member
Corniches du Tarn et de la Jonte
↔8.88 mi ↗+2,162 ft ↘-2,149 ft ◔6h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Le Rozier (Lozère)
Starting from Le Rozier, this walk offers, within a compact area, magnificent views over the Tarn and Jonte valleys at the head of their respective gorges. The route past the Grotte Saint-Pons and then the hermitage of the same name marks the progress along the Tarn side. On the return journey, after a long stretch through a magnificent wooded area, the Sentier Louis Armand offers the chance to discover some spectacular rock formations such as the Vase de Chine and the Vase de Sèvres, as well as a breathtaking view of the village of Peyreleau and the entrance to the Gorges de la Jonte.Please note: This is a route of moderate difficulty, but one that requires caution due to a few tricky sections and numerous unsecured viewing points.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.