Looking for a hike in the Cévennes massif? Forests, meadows and high-altitude landscapes make the meteorological observatory a unique place and a hiker’s paradise.
If you’re visiting the Cévennes, you won’t want to miss the Mont Aigoual observatory. Culminating at over 1,567 meters, this manned weather station rises above the Mediterranean Sea, offering an exceptional view of France’s highest peaks.
On a clear day, you can see the south-eastern Pyrenees, the Alps and Mont Blanc. With its superb panorama, Mont Aigoual is also renowned for its many hiking trails, and to help you discover all its natural riches, we’ve put together a top 3 list of the most beautiful hikes to be enjoyed on this exceptional site.
1. Mont Aigoual
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 1 hour
- Distance: 1.9 km
- Height difference: 70 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
Located in the south of the Massif Central, Mont Aigoual is known for its panoramic views and weather observatory, and offers a multitude of paths to the summit. However, the advantage of this hike lies in the fact that it allows you to truly observe the surrounding area and appreciate the observatory, not least by passing through the gite d’étape.
It’s a short walk, but you’ll have access to a breathtaking panorama of the Causses and Cévennes. It’s the ideal way to discover the resort and its viewpoints, without having to devote the whole day to it or make any physical effort. Fast and efficient, if you’re just passing through the Cévennes, use this route without hesitation.
Good to know: at the highest point of Mont Aigoual, picnic tables are available so you can enjoy the panoramic view during your lunch break.
2. The 4,000 Steps Trail
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 8 hours
- Distance: 23.5 km
- Height difference: 1,282 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, try the legendary 4,000 Steps trail. Don’t worry about the hike’s name: the 4,000 steps are not actually present on the trail. It’s simply a fancy way of describing the climb.
The route is long, however, and you’ll need a good day’s walk to complete the entire hike. But this loop is well worth the effort! It allows you to discover both the vegetation and the exceptional views from the summit of Mont Aigoual.
And while the first section of the trail takes you straight up, with a sometimes steep ascent, the descent offers superb views from Le Coulet and the Aire-de-Cote gite.
During the summer months, we recommend setting off early to avoid the heat of the climb. Water is also available on site, so there’s no need to overload your backpack with liquids.
3. Col de Prat Peyrot – Mont Aigoual – L’Hort de Dieu
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Height difference: 362 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
This hike over the Col de Prat Peyrot, Mont Aigoual and Hort de Dieu is quick and easy. Most of the walking is on tracks and paths, alternating between forest and meadow landscapes before reaching the summit of Mont Aigoual.
Not to mention that the Hort de Dieu represents a veritable field of study and exploration for botanists, with a multitude of different and rare species of tree placed in this exceptional area every year. The hike is ideal for families, and a half-day’s walk is all you need to complete the ascent, with a meal break in between.
The best times to take the trail are from spring to summer, when all the paths are in bloom and the undergrowth is lush green. In autumn, the massif is decked out in a sumptuous orange mantle, but it’s also accessible in winter, provided you’re equipped with snowshoes. In short, Mont Aigoual can be enjoyed in all seasons!