Between the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park and the Cévennes National Park, in the heart of the preserved valleys of the Cévennes d'Ardèche, this GR® de Pays follows paths punctuated by picturesque villages and geological curiosities. A return to the starting point is possible on board the train The Cevenol.
Stage 1: from La Bastide-Puylaurent to St-Laurent-Les-Bains
This first short stage, compatible with an arrival during the day by train, can be merged with the second stage.
Distance: 8,1 km | Duration: 2h15 | Elevation: +229 m / -412 m
From La Bastide-Puylaurent train station, the layout is common with the GR® 7 et GR® 72 which leave the village in an easterly direction to reach Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, where Robert Louis Stevenson stopped during his journey in the Cévennes. Reach the La Croix du Pal pass, where we leave the track for a well-marked path.
Later, we see the tower which dominates Saint-Laurent-les-Bains (vast viewpoint). The path zigzags down a valley and ends at the spa where water gushes out at 53°C in the fountain. It is possible to enjoy a panorama of the village from the works of the Watershed Line, located above the resort.
Step 2: from St-Laurent-Les-Bains to Montselgues
Distance: 17,4 km | Duration: 4h50 | Elevation: +908 m / -723 m
To leave Saint-Laurent-les-Bains, the path descends near the thermal baths, runs alongside a stream then a mine to approach the D 4. It climbs on a balcony until Tressols, descends towards the Péril footbridge to cross the Borne, then climbs on the left bank, crossing hamlets, streams and beech forests.
After Chalendas, it winds among the broom towards the Red Test Pass. A track goes around the Fare mountain, overlooking the Borne valley and giving a beautiful panorama. A platform allows you to observe the vultures before Montselgues emerges, nestled against the mountain.
Hosting
Stage 3: from Montselgues to St-Jean-de-Pourcharesse
Distance: 18,1 km | Duration: 5h45 | Elevation: +532 m / -948 m
Leave the village by the D 304 which you leave to take a path going down to the Boyer farm. The route runs along the Thines, crosses the hamlets of Tastevins, Gaudel and Moulin. A well-maintained path goes up to the village of Thines and its church. After the last houses of the village, the path leaves the GR® 4 and climbs into the holm oaks, passing from valley to valley. It overlooks a long wooded ravine, emerges above La Blacherette (beautiful panorama) and arrives on the plateau at the level of thePeyre Inn. A path leads to Dépoudent. The stage ends at Saint-Jean-de-Pourcharesse.
Hosting
Stage 4: from St-Jean-de-Pourcharesse to Les Vans
Distance: 17,3 km | Duration: 5h20 | Elevation: +376 m / -794 m
Before departure, do not miss the three hundred year old chestnut tree which borders the D 207. This day of walking is all downhill. The path passes from small valleys to small ridges through chestnut groves, holm oaks and pine forests in an increasingly Mediterranean atmosphere. It crosses many typical hamlets of the Ardèche Cévennes: Les Fabres, Champmajour, to reach the castle and the church of Chambonas. He crosses the Chassezac on a narrow medieval bridge before entering the Vans : a final panorama over the Chassezac valley to conclude this day.
Hosting
Stage 5: from Vans to Malbosc
Distance: 17,2 km | Duration: 6 hour | Elevation: +907 m / -533 m
Leaving Les Vans, the path goes up the course of the Bourdaric to reach the village of character® of Naves and its cirque, classified as a UNESCO Geopark. A forest track on the side of the Barre greenhouse leads to Brahic and its panorama. The descent into the valley begins before passing the Petit Âne Bleu lodge. Then, the path is below the road to arrive at the Camping du Gournier. A succession of climbs and descents, sometimes steep, joins the hamlets of Sabuscles and Mas, before reaching Malbosc.
Stage 6: from Malbosc to Génolhac
Distance: 22km | Duration: 7 hour | Elevation: +1m / -087m
From Malbosc, the route winds towards Serre d'Aubrias before reaching the GR® of the Upper Cèze Valley CountryBetween oaks and chestnut trees, the path leads to the summit of Loubière offering a panoramic view du Mont-Lozère to Tanargue. After the Peras Pass, the descent crosses Les Bouchets, famous for their log beehives, before arriving at Aujac and its medieval castle. The path then plunges into a pine forest to La Cèze, climbs towards Charnavas and Montredon with views of Mont-Lozère. Genolhac appears at the Canteperdrix pass and marks the end of this Cévennes adventure.
Return by train from Génolhac
Board the train The Cevenol, from Génolhac station, for a return to your starting point in La Bastide-Puylaurent. Of the 33 km of railway tracks, linking Génolhac to La Bastide-Puylaurent, 13 km are tunnels or viaducts.
Feedback from experience
This content production was made possible by the support of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region
