The Aigoual forest

Causses and Cévennes / UNESCO

Forest

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Conquer Mont Aigoual on a former drovers’ road through these crooked beech forests!

From Cabrillac, you take the grande draille d'Aubrac (Aubrac drovers’ road) to Le Plo de la Couaille, where you have the option (an additional 2 hrs, on the GR60) to reach the summit of Mont Aigoual and enjoy the stunning views (on a clear day). This hike with its crooked trees is full of charm. On the way, you may surprise a fox or a wild sow with its young. The forest, though planted, seems wild!

3 points of interest

Agriculture
The Aubrac drovers’ road
From Cabrillac, we follow the Aubrac drovers’ road, which started near Ganges (Hérault) to lead flocks onto the Aubrac pastures, a distance of 110 km. If you climb to the top of Mont Aigoual (2 hrs), you can visit the meteorological observatory and meet transhumant flocks. Be careful of the patous (livestock guardians).
Natural environment
A planted forest
From the 19th century onwards, people became conscious of the fact that the forest was receding due to the combined impact of exploitation for industrial firewood (glass, metals) and overgrazing linked to increasing sheep and goat farming. Departmental forestry engineer Georges Fabre claimed that the gully erosion due to deforestation was the cause of the silting-up of the port of Bordeaux. Afforestation was needed. By 1908, 10,000 hectares had been reforested.
History
Cabrillac
Cabrillac was located at the crossroads of the grande draille d'Aubrac (Aubrac drovers’ road) and the road from Meyrueis to Florac and St Jean du Gard. The village had about a hundred inhabitants in the 20th century and was an important and inevitable place of transit. Two fairs were held every year: one during the migration to the summer pastures in May; the other in September, during the return. For some shepherds, this was the occasion to sell the lambs that had spent the summer on the Aubrac plateau.

Description

As you leave Cabrillac, in the direction of Mont Aigoual (GR®60), cross the D18, go through a fence and begin the climb amidst broom and juniper bushes.
1 – Near the top of the hill, the path widens and enters the beech forest until it reaches first the crest, then the level area of Le Plo du Four.
2 – From Le Plo du Four, the path starts to climb again; it follows the D18. At first it remains under cover of the trees, before emerging onto the short-grass prairie. Well before the ladder near the road, fork right onto the path (by a pile of stones)that leads towards the road.
3 – Cross the road and take the path, which turns into a track and crosses a heath. Having gone through an open fence, the track enters a beech forest and weaves through the trees. At first, it follows a fence, then runs along the ridge that separates the Brèze valley to the west from the Jonte valley to the east.
4 – At the first fork, at Le Plo de l’Homme-mort, leave the ridge on a track to the right that skirts it. After 500m, at the crossroads, turn right alongside an reforested area. After a slight climb, the track goes sharply downhill. Ignore the paths on the right that enter it. Where you cross the path from les Oubrets, turn right. After 250 m, you come out onto a large forestry track at le Col del Bès pass.
5 – From the pass, go right and descend towards the Jonte River, ignoring a track on the right. Cross the river and climb back up to Cabrillac (GR®66).

Departure : Cabrillac
Arrival : Cabrillac
Towns crossed : Rousses, Gatuzières, Bassurels, Meyrueis

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water, wear sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Is in the midst of the park

The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Information desks

Tourism'house and national Parc at Florac

Place de l'ancienne gare, N106, 48400 Florac-trois-rivières

https://www.cevennes-gorges-du-tarn.com

info@cevennes-parcnational.fr

04 66 45 01 14

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