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Loop hike in Lozere and Ardeche starting at La Bastide-Puylaurent going through the abbey Notre Dame des Neiges, la vallee de Serres, Rogleton, le Fraisse and the Valley of the Allier (GR®7, GR®72, GR®700 Regordane trail and GR®70 the Stevenson trail). |
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15.5km hike from La Bastide-Puylaurent
4km / 11km / 14km / 14,5km / 15,5km / 19km / 20km / 23km / 24km / 26km
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Distance: 15,5km, Elevation maximum: 1257m, Elevation minimum: 987m, Elevation gain: 369m
IGN Maps: La Bastide-Puylaurent (2738E). Largentiere la Bastide-Puylaurent Vivarais Cevenol
(2838OT).
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Start at La Bastide-Puylaurent and entry in Ardeche using the GR®7 and the GR®72 tracks towards Notre Dame des Neiges by crossing Coureges (a beautiful ancient and restored farm) and Les Bories, between woods and pasture... Be careful with the markings at Coureges, the path passes behind the farm... The trail becomes a small road in the valley of Rieufrais and zigzags whilst climbing back up and suddenly the abbey's little steeple emerges above a small meadow; then comes the imposing buildings. The markings snake in and out between the high trees, go along the picnic area, which is always full on Sundays, and go back up the path, and therefore finding the "silence des grands arbres et du vent" (the high trees' and the wind's silence) ! La Burle coming from the Tanargue in Haute-Ardeche.
La Felgere appears after a bend, and when you reach it, the GR track continues completely on the right to get to la Croix de Pal, a kind of mountain pass which peaks at 1177m... Intersection of several different tracks and paths with quite a lot of indications... You will just have to take the trail on your far left, indicated GR®7 - Le Bez. The path climbs a bit on 850 metres, and almost out of breath, you'll find yourself at la Coulet de Pecoyol (1264m). If the weather allows it, the is a panorama over the Cevennes of Ardeche and over the Alps.
Here again, there are several trails at the intersection with an explicative sign. Be careful, you will leave here the white and red markings! You must take the track on your far left, which starts behind the sign. From this point on, there are no markings up to Rogleton on the Allier's side, which separates Ardeche and Lozere. Your path gently goes down in the woods, keep following it without taking care of the other paths on the right side or on the left side... Around ten minutes later, at the third intersection where a sign indicates Notre Dame des Neiges on the left, turn right and keep going straight. After a light slope, you will start a long descent. It will take around one hour to reach Rogleton... A little later, turn left in such a way that you will follow the stream of Serres which you'll hear flowing beneath. When the dirt track becomes a little road, it will not be late until you see the first houses of Rogleton, huddled against the river. At that place, you will find the GR®70, the Stevenson trail which links Le Puy en Velay to Ales. After around 100 metres, after you will have had crossed the Allier, take the large path on your left which seems to go in the meadows. The river is now on your left and the railroad is on your right. At the stream at the Fraisse, cross over on the ford. The path then goes under the railway and will follow it until La Bastide Puylaurent. Be careful, after crossing under the railway, you must always use the path on your far left! You will walk on a light slope through brooms and ferns, and if you are there at 4pm, you will see the Cevenol going from Paris Gare du Nord to Marseille with a connection at Clermont-Ferrand. It crosses its "twin" going from Marseille to Paris with a connection at the railway station La Bastide St Laurent Les Bains, going through Ales, Chamborigaud, Genolhac and Villefort. You will arrive above the railway station. Cross the railway at the level crossing, and 200 metres further, you will find the guest house l'Etoile.
I took four hours to complete this track... But it deserves a lot more! You can take nice breaks at the Abbey Notre Dame des Neiges, at la Croix de Pal, at the Coulet de Pecoyol, at Rogleton, at the ford on Fraisse's stream, and many more! And in June, you will see the brooms in blossom; marvelous !
