Tour of Lake Villefort

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A stone's throw from the Gorges du Chassezac, this is an interesting short hike with the option of swimming at the end.

Details

n°111309
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.51 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 502 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 528 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,119 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,870 ft
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Photos

On the way down to the forest
Departure to point 1
The trail and its facilities
View of the path...

Description of the walk

The circuit starts at the Morangiès water sports centre.

(S/E) Follow the yellow signs heading north. After the first 500 metres, take a short detour to the Morangiès Tower for a stop at the information panel.

(1) Retrace your steps and follow the path that runs alongside the lake. At the northern end, the path bends to the left and offers a first ford.

(2) When you reach the promontory, enjoy the unobstructed view of the lake.

(3) You will reach a second ford.

(4) Enter the forest and follow the various curves of the lake to reach the road.

(5) Turn left, follow the road for about 500 m, then take the path on the left that runs alongside it and joins it at a roundabout on the right.

(6) Cross the dam to enjoy another beautiful view, then leave the road and take the path on the left that leads to the water sports centre and the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,031 ft - Morangiès water sports centre - Lac de Villefort
  2. 1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 2,008 ft - Tour de Morangies
  3. 2 : mi 1.22 - alt. 2,083 ft - First ford
  4. 3 : mi 1.6 - alt. 2,119 ft - View of the lake from the promontory
  5. 4 : mi 1.81 - alt. 2,021 ft - Pretty bridge over the void
  6. 5 : mi 3.24 - alt. 2,024 ft - Road on the left
  7. 6 : mi 4.11 - alt. 1,870 ft - Dam - Altier (rivière) - Affluent du Chassezac
  8. S/E : mi 4.52 - alt. 2,034 ft - Morangiès water sports centre

Notes

The entire route is signposted, so you can't get lost.

Worth a visit

Don't hesitate to visit La Garde-Guérin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, seven kilometres away.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 73 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Berit71
Berit71

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, varied half-day hike. Beautiful views of Lake Villefort and the Cévennes. However, I wouldn't say it's easy; some sections are quite challenging and you need to be in good physical condition to complete them. Make sure you wear good walking boots and bring a pair of walking sticks.

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trichosson
trichosson

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful walk, dangerous areas very well protected, but a few barriers or ropes are still missing. I recommend good footwear and a walking stick. Not recommended in rainy weather.

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User 26109848

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful walk. Easy and family-friendly.

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off from point 3 to the starting point (we combined 2 walks).
peaceful stroll around the lake pretty setting, well shaded ...

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Nawak07
Nawak07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a very fine route, with no difficulties and the slightly steep stretches have been prepared.
Don't hesitate to make a diversion to see the chapel of St Loup.

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alain.arduino
alain.arduino
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's not true to say that this route is easy; it's more of an "average" level. The rocky climbs are difficult and steep, and it is not recommended for anyone with even a slight disability or who is not in good physical shape. To convince yourself of this, simply look at the characteristics of the route in the summary: difference in altitude: ascent 204m / descent 211 m, distance 7.26 km duration 2h40 which corresponds to a speed of less than 3 km/h... clearly it's physically intense even for someone used to hiking, apart from that it's very well secured and the route offers very beautiful scenery.
the route offers some very beautiful scenery.

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B.T
B.T

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk, worth discovering.

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levequemi
levequemi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk with beautiful views

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chipie33290
chipie33290

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well signposted tour of the lake.
Easy, with a slight gradient through the forest.
Beautiful viewpoints.
Thanks for the track

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foucher jean-pierre
foucher jean-pierre

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

pleasant family trail with beautiful views and you can also soak your feet or swim at the Villefort beach. If possible, go up to the chapel of St Loup (small variant) ?. parish specific to Brittany (30 minutes AR).

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philfil
philfil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

very nice, easy hike with good facilities and beautiful views of the lake

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Yoluc
Yoluc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice walk, not difficult

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Fabriche
Fabriche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk and pleasant surroundings

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LA BROSSE 42
LA BROSSE 42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is perfectly maintained and safe, with the only slight downside being a bit of tarmac at the end, but you can't miss it!

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Perdigal
Perdigal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This is a very nice hike that I did several years ago, but since then some fine improvements have been made.
Several formerly tricky sections are now secured by nets and pretty footbridges make it easier to cross streams.

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