Puech d'Alluech

Fauna and flora

Forest

History and culture

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A Causse atmosphere between dolines and sheep pasture, alternating with wooded areas. The highpoint of this walk is to climb Le Puech d’Alluech, a volcanic peak with 360° views.

3 points of interest

History
Woods and deforestation
Afforestation and deforestation seem to be the fate of the Causse landscape. In the Neolithic, the first farmer-shepherds settled on the fertile areas of the plateaux, which were covered by beech and oak forest at the time. This lead to the forest being cleared for sheep pasture and for farmland. With demographic expansion, deforestation accelerated and the cultivated areas expanded. Subsequently, the local potteries, lime kilns and, later, mines brought about a new wave of deforestation to satisfy their need for wood.
Fauna
Larks !
There are plenty of larks at Puech d’Alluech! Chirping away in the bushes, cheeping in the fields – real chatterboxes! The greater short-toed lark that comes back from Africa in the spring; or the sedentary woodlark; or else the skylark, which appreciates open spaces. Topped by its relay mast, the Puech d’Alluech dominates the surroundings from its 1,151 m. It is a former volcano. Climb to the top for views over the mountains of the Aubrac, the Truc de Fortunio summit in Margeride, and the Mont Lozère massif. Turn south to see Mont Aigoual crowned by its relay masts.
History
Camin Ferrat
Cabrières means “place inhabited by goats”. Located on the Languedoc draille (drovers’ road) and the Camin Ferrat, Cabrières was long uninhabited but is now home to one family. Camin Ferrat comes from the Occitan camin, track, and férra, oxshoe. Paved or cobbled tracks needed draft and pack animals to be shod. This ancient path is parallel to the draille, which is even older. For safety reasons, pedestrians, flocks and carts used to use different routes. The Camin Ferrat crosses the Causse and goes down to Meyrueis.

Description

From the car park, take the track and, at the intersection, turn right. Your hike starts on the Causse Méjean circuit (yellow and red waymarks). Follow this path through the rolling countryside part to the foot of Puech d’Alluech.

Just before you get to the road, take the track on the left that goes uphill to the top of Puech d’Alluech (there-and-back 2.6 km). On your return, take the road on the left for 150 m, then take the track on the left that cuts across and joins the road, to the hamlet of Chamblon.
In Chamblon, pass below the sheepfold, go uphill towards the house, continue straight ahead to cut across the road and take the path opposite that joins the road to Prunets.
In Prunets, leave the GR®60 trail that veers off to the right, and instead take the track on the left that passes below the houses. The track climbs; at the top, leave it on the right to go back down towards the trees. You are walking around the Puech.
At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and, as you arrive in the hamlet of Cabrières, walk around it on the left instead, alongside a large basin.
After the hamlet of Cabrières, take the road that goes uphill on the left for 700 m.
At the crossroads, take the track that runs alongside the telephone cable to return to your starting-point.

Departure : 1 km from Mas St-Chély
Arrival : 1 km from Mas St-Chély
Towns crossed : Mas-Saint-Chély and Gorges du Tarn Causses

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

You are advised not to bring dogs (flocks with guard dogs)
A walk that is accessible for everyone but with little shade. You cross several fences (gates or stiles): close them well. . 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.

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

This office is part of the National Park's associated tourist-information network, whose mission is to provide information on, and raise awareness of, the sites and events as well as the rules that must be observed in the National Park's central zone.

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