The Roof of the Cévennes (by mountain-bike)
Description
At the Col de Salidès, there are 360° panoramic views of Mont Aigoual, the Cévennes and the Causses!
Mountain-bike route #14. From the village, take the D 907 for 4 km towards the Tunnel du Marquairès. Before the tunnel, fork right towards Le Marquairès forester's house and continue on the forestry track to Gaseiral. Take the road uphill to the Col de Salidès and there take the ridge track on your left to L'Hospitalet (GR 7). After about 3 km, take the track on the left that leads back to Rousses.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Pique prune (Osmoderme)
Ce coléoptère est une espèce en régression, menacée et protégée. Il est considéré comme un bio-indicateur fiable de la qualité des milieux forestiers. Il est un chaînon essentiel dans le fonctionnement de ces milieux et affectionne les vieilles futaies de feuillus et le bois mort. La gestion spécifique de la réserve biologique intégrale du Marquaires est propice à son développement. En effet, ici l'exploitation est proscrite et la forêt est rendue à une évolution naturelle.
1938, la route forestière
Vous êtes sur la "route des chômeurs". De 1936 à 1939, la crise qui secoue le pays conduit le gouvernement à mettre en place des plans sociaux permettant aux chômeurs de travailler sur de grands chantiers: aménagements de forêts, éclaircies de peuplements, ouvertures de routes.... Cette route fut ouverte avec pelles, pioches et pics par une vingtaine de chômeurs et des gens du pays. La "carte de chômage" de l'époque permettait aux chômeurs de toucher une prime, complétée lorsqu'ils travaillaient sur les grands chantiers. Un réfectoire fonctionna dans la maison forestière du Marquairès puis aux Cabanes (à l'autre bout de la route) ; les gens d'ici apportaient leur casse-croûte.
The Tarnon
The Tarnon has its spring in the Aigoual massif (1,565 m) in the Bassurels district. 38.9 km later, it flows into the Tarn downstream of Florac, having already flown together with the Mimente. It separates the Causse Méjean from the Cévennes. Upstream of Rousses, the Trépalous flows into the Tarnon. That river has carved out the Gorges du Tapoul, which are famous for canyoning. The Tarnon is a Cévenol river: very strong and sudden floods can occur during intense weather events.
The Draille de la Margeride
The draille follows the ridge and crosses the Can de l'Hospitalet. This drovers' road enables the flocks of the plains (from the southern Cévennes and the Crau) to get up to the northern Gévaudan (Aubrac, Margeride, Mont Lozère). This draille is only a branch of a bigger network on which livestock still migrates today.
Mont Aigoual
A beautiful view onto Mont Aigoual (1,567 m) – a mountain of winds, fog, snow and rain. Banks of clouds coming from the Mediterranean rub against its slopes and can cause violent precipitation (also called Cévenol episodes). This temperamental mountain is home to the last mountain weather-station in France.
Additional information
Departure
Rousses
Arrival
Rousses
Ambiance
The Tarnon valley is shaded by the old beech groves of Le Marquairès state forest. At the Col de Salidès, views open up onto the characteristic landscapes of the National Park. In the distance, flocks of sheep still graze on the limestone plateau of the Can de l'Hospitalet sitting on its schist platform.
Access
From Florac or Meyrueis, take the D 996 to Vébron. In Vébron, take the D 907 to get to Rousses
Advised parking
Car park close to the Café "La Ruche"
Advice
No cycling off-track. You are strongly advised to wear a helmet. Do not forget your repair kit and a small set of tools. Please shut all gates and barriers after yourself. Slow down in farms and hamlets.
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.
Data author
