Pont du Tarn, Trail #23

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Magnificent panoramic views over the Cévennes, typical Mont Lozère hamlets and, as a bonus, perfect bathing spots make for a trail to enjoy without moderation.

2 points of interest

Gasbiel - nathalie.thomas
Water
Gasbiel (old ford)
This crossing was much used to go from L'Hôpital to the parish of Frutgères via the Commandery of the Order of Malta. The latter owned almost all the land; a large part was rented to tenant farmers who paid their rent in money and in kind.
Frutgères - nathalie.thomas
Architecture
Frutgères
This village used to be the parish seat and developed long before Le-Pont-de-Montvert, a mere hamlet, turned into a small village of about 60 souls by 1631. In the 12th century, the important Commandery of the Knights of St-John of Jerusalem settled in the parish of Frutgères. This religious and military order later took the name of the Order of the Knights of Malta. The parish church was burned down by the Camisards (Protestant rebels), who were responsible for the assassination of the Frutgères parish priest, Reversat, in 1702, one day after the murder of the Abbot du Chaila in Le-Pont-de-Montvert. The church had been built after the unification of the parishes of Frutgères and Grizac. In the early 19th century, the municipality was densely populated (25 inhabitants/sq km). The large estates needed numerous labourers to harvest their hay, rye and buckwheat.

Description

The trail starts in the village, with a steep climb for a few hundred metres, then continues on a narrow path. Once you reach the hamlet of Villeneuve, most of the climb is done!
Then you follow a small lane to the hamlet of L’Hôpital, before taking a sandy track that leads you to the Pont du Tarn. The last part of the trail is on the GR® long-distance hiking path, a pleasant route that runs alongside the Tarn. The first section of the descent is a little technical but also magnificent. The last two kilometres are identical to the first two.

Follow waymarks for #23.
Signposts will guide you all along this route, as well as yellow painted waymarks. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks:

From "Pont de Montvert", go towards "L'Hôpital" via "Quartier de la Barte", "La Barte", "Prat del Lach", "Villeneuve > 2km", "Pont de Planche", "Gasbiel", "L'Hôpital - Commanderie".
Then head for "Pont du Tarn" via "Prat Redoun".
From "Pont du Tarn", return to "Pont de Montvert" via "Gap Francès", "La plaine du Tarn", "Bois de la Mouline" (2x), "Le Merlet", "Lou Mouly", "L'Avès", "Prat del Lach", "La Barte", "Quartier de la Barte".

This trail is taken from the guidebook Mont Lozère - Pays des sources, published by the Pôle de pleine nature du mont Lozère.

Departure : Pont-de-Montvert - Sud-Mont-Lozère
Arrival : Pont-de-Montvert - Sud-Mont-Lozère
Towns crossed : Pont de Montvert - Sud Mont Lozère

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

In high season, parking is difficult in the village: prioritise the suggested car park at the edge of the village.
Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. Stay on the marked path.

Information desks

Office de tourisme Des Cévennes au mont Lozère

le Quai, 48220 Le Pont de Montvert sud mont-Lozère

https://www.cevennes-montlozere.com/info@cevennes-montlozere.com 04 66 45 81 94

Access and parking

From Florac, to Pont-de-Montvert - Sud-Mont-Lozère on the D 998.
From Génolhac, to Pont-de-Montvert - Sud-Mont-Lozère on the D 906, then the D 998 via Vialas and La Croix de Berthel.

Parking :

Car park at the Temple (Protestant church)