MTB 14 - The 3 rivers challenge – graded black
4 points of interest
Natural environment
The Mont Aigoual forest
“Aigoual, Forêt d’Exception”
The French Forestry Office, which manages state forests, launched a programme in 2013 called “Aigoual, Forêt d’Exception” (Aigoual: An Exceptional Forest) with the aim of highlighting the massif’s natural and cultural heritage. The Forestry Office thus tries to foreground the different aspects of its multi-facetted management: production, protection and receiving visitors. One key aspect of this approach, which complements other initiatives by local actors, is to improve visitors’ experience in the forest.
The French Forestry Office, which manages state forests, launched a programme in 2013 called “Aigoual, Forêt d’Exception” (Aigoual: An Exceptional Forest) with the aim of highlighting the massif’s natural and cultural heritage. The Forestry Office thus tries to foreground the different aspects of its multi-facetted management: production, protection and receiving visitors. One key aspect of this approach, which complements other initiatives by local actors, is to improve visitors’ experience in the forest.
Landscape
Col du Suquet pass
You are at the highest point of the hike. On the right bank of the Dourbie, the path crosses a sheer slope that is alternatively made up of zones of solid granite and other zones where it has decomposed due to weathering into coarse granitic sand. To the south, the views encompass the entire Lingas massif, a high wooded plateau overlooking, further south, the region around Le Vigan and the Languedocian plain.
Water
The Bonheur river
The Bramabiau site is an example of a karst spring. Here, slightly east of Camprieu, the Bonheur River has dug into the Causse (limestone plateau) and disappears in a natural tunnel. It re-emerges into the open at the bottom of the Aven de Balset, but it twists to the south to disappear again below ground. The river meanders through more than 10 km of tunnels. Then, 700 horizontal meters from its sinkhole, it reappears as a spring! The rock walls of the narrow canyon magnify the sound of its waters and add to its rumbling some acoustic vibrations that are close to a gigantic roaring. This is no longer the tranquil Bonheur, it is the tumultuous Bramabiau.
History
Camprieu
In the 19th century, the village streets were bustling year-round with a throng of artisans, labourers and shopkeepers, who lived in these modest mountain houses that were also suitable for livestock rearing. Camprieu had: two cobblers, six clog makers, two basket makers, one carpenter, two wheelwrights, two farriers, one miller, two stonemasons, one glassworks, one sawmill, one dairy, two grocer’s shops, a haberdashery and ironmonger’s and one shop for ladies’ “fashion and dresses”. There was also a cheese cellar that produced Roquefort until 1932, a hotel and an inn.
Description
Signposts will guide you all along this route. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks:
Starting from “Camprieu”, head towards "col des Ubertes" via "Le Cros", "Tabarde", "Maison du bois", "Tailladette", "Terondel".
1) At "col des Ubertes" follow "Col du Suquet".
2) At “col du Suquet” follow the GR® trail towards “Le Vieux Hêtre”, then turn left towards “Mont Mal”, "Serre de Cade".
3) From “Serre de Cade”, there is a technical descent to the road. Turn left onto the road for 1 km till you reach "Sous le col des Rhodes".
4) Turn right and follow “Canayère” via "Le pas du Coulet" and "Les Pins noirs", then continue to “Comeiras”
5) At "Comeiras" start the long climb to “La Roque”.
6) Take the road on the left towards "Valat de Malbosc", then turn left to “Les Monts”. Then head towards "Pont de l’Âne" via "La Combette", "La Matte" and "Conduite forcée".
7) At “Pont de l’Âne”, go to “St Sauveur des Pourcils” via "Le Muguet", "La Fonderie", "Valat de la Fonderie". Then head for “Carrefour des Pourcils”.
8) Turn right to return to "Camprieu" via "Travadaire", "Rouveyrolle", "Abîme de Bramabiau", "Perte de Bramabiau", "La mairie", "La Croix basse".
This circuit is taken from the guidebook Massif de l’Aigoual, published by the communauté de communes Causses Aigoual Cévennes as part of the collection Espaces naturels gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.
Starting from “Camprieu”, head towards "col des Ubertes" via "Le Cros", "Tabarde", "Maison du bois", "Tailladette", "Terondel".
1) At "col des Ubertes" follow "Col du Suquet".
2) At “col du Suquet” follow the GR® trail towards “Le Vieux Hêtre”, then turn left towards “Mont Mal”, "Serre de Cade".
3) From “Serre de Cade”, there is a technical descent to the road. Turn left onto the road for 1 km till you reach "Sous le col des Rhodes".
4) Turn right and follow “Canayère” via "Le pas du Coulet" and "Les Pins noirs", then continue to “Comeiras”
5) At "Comeiras" start the long climb to “La Roque”.
6) Take the road on the left towards "Valat de Malbosc", then turn left to “Les Monts”. Then head towards "Pont de l’Âne" via "La Combette", "La Matte" and "Conduite forcée".
7) At “Pont de l’Âne”, go to “St Sauveur des Pourcils” via "Le Muguet", "La Fonderie", "Valat de la Fonderie". Then head for “Carrefour des Pourcils”.
8) Turn right to return to "Camprieu" via "Travadaire", "Rouveyrolle", "Abîme de Bramabiau", "Perte de Bramabiau", "La mairie", "La Croix basse".
This circuit is taken from the guidebook Massif de l’Aigoual, published by the communauté de communes Causses Aigoual Cévennes as part of the collection Espaces naturels gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.
Departure : Camprieu
Arrival : Camprieu
Towns crossed : Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu, Dourbies, Trèves, Lanuéjols
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. You must wear a helmet. Protective equipment is recommended. Respect other road users and stay in control of your speed and trajectory. Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. No off-roading.
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 & national parc'house
Col de la Serreyrède, 30570 Val d'Aigoual
https://www.sudcevennes.com
office-du-tourisme-causse@wanadoo.fr
04 67 82 64 67
The Maison de l'Aigoual houses the tourism office Mont Aigoual Causses Cévennes and the Maison du Parc national. This visitor centre provides information on and raises awareness of the Cévennes National Park, its sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone.
On site: changing exhibitions, video projections, Festival Nature events and shop Open year-round
Transport
liO is the regional public transport service of the Occitanie/ Pyrénées – Méditerranée region. It facilitates everyone’s movements by prioritising public transport. For more information, call 08 10 33 42 73 or go to www.laregion.fr
Access and parking
From Valleraugue, take the D 986 towards L’Espérou. At the roundabout, turn right to the col de la Serreyrède pass. At the pass, turn left onto the D 986 – car park in the village.
Parking :
Camprieu village
More information
Source
CC Causses Aigoual Cévennes Terres Solidaireshttp://www.caussesaigoualcevennes.fr/
Parc national des Cévenneshttp://www.cevennes-parcnational.fr/
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