cirque de Saint-Chély-du-Tarn
Key facts
- Distance
- 15.7 km
- Ascent
- +808 m
- Descent
- −640 m
- Estimated time
- 4 hr 50
- hiking
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- official rating
- Route
- Loop
- back to the start
Profile and gradient
- under 10%
- 10 to 20%
- over 20%
Gradient along the route: 12.1 km under 10%, 2.7 km at 10 to 20% and 0.8 km over 20%. Elevation from 459 m to 906 m over 15.7 km.
Surface and path types
- Surface
- Paved 8%
- Dirt & gravel 90%
- Unknown 2%
- Path types
- Trail 77%
- Track 13%
- Road 8%
- Off-network 2%
Description
This hike in one of the most beautiful natural cirques in the Tarn Gorge takes you from the river to the Causse Méjean plateau, passing through typical hamlets such as Hauterives. From the car park in Saint Chély-du-Tarn, take the tarred lane that goes uphill towards the back of the village and joins up with a track. 1) Turn left onto the track and climb for 4 km to the Col de Coperlac pass. 2) At the pass, cross the D 986 towards Mas-Saint-Chély, then turn right to take a path bordered by boxwood to the heights of the hamlet of Caussignac. The path comes out onto the tarred road in the village; continue straight ahead on the road. 3) 200 m after the village, turn right, join up with the road, cross it and take the path opposite to the hamlet of Anhillac. 4) As you enter the hamlet, take the road that veers slightly to the left and follow it to the metal cross. Turn right and walk to the edge of the Causse plateau. 5) Take on your right the path that plunges into the Gorge. Walk alongside the ruins of Hauterives castle and join up with the Tarn Valley path. 6) Turn left to explore the hamlet of Hauterives. Then retrace your steps and follow the Tarn Gorge path to Saint-Chély-du-Tarn.
Difficulty
Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.
Before you go
- 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.
Getting there
Start: Saint-Chély du Tarn, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48).
Sources
- Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/43958-Le-cirque-de-Saint-Chely-du-Tarn). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
- Surface and path types: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL, extract of 28 October 2026, matched to the track every 10 m (openstreetmap.org/copyright)
- Official elevation gain: 808 m, Parc national des Cévennes
Nearby tracks
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Puech d'AlluechCévennes, Mas-Saint-Chély (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026The riverbanksCévennes, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Domaine des BoissetsCévennes, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Patrimoine naturel et culturel de BoissetsCévennes, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026Roc des HourtousCévennes, La Malène (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes
Plan IGN © IGN 2026CastelboucCévennes, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48) · LoopOfficial rating by Parc national des Cévennes