Col de Salidès

Key facts

Distance: 10.3 km
Ascent: +415 m
Descent: −311 m
Estimated time: 3 hr; hiking
Difficulty: Moderate; official rating
Route: Loop; back to the start

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Description

Explore some emblematic landscapes of the National Park; old beech forests and large open spaces, still maintained by transhumant livestock. At the Col de Salidès pass, you can admire magnificent panoramic views onto the Can de L'Hospitalet plateau, the Cévennes and Mont Aigoual. Take the road towards Rousses for 90 m, then go downhill on the left on a path that leads to the foresters’ house of Le Marquairès. 1) From the foresters’ house, take the track on the left that goes uphill in the Tarnon valley to reach the D 19 road at Gaseiral bridge. 2) Turn left onto the D 19 and climb to the Col de Salidès pass. 3) At the pass, follow the track (drovers’ road) on the left for about 2.8 km. Caution; livestock and patous (guard dogs)! 4) At the crossroads, take the track on the left to reach the road and starting-point.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

Caution: transhumant livestock and patous (guard dogs) on the drovers’ road at Col de Salidès pass. Seek advice on how to behave near these dogs from tourist offices and National Park information centres.
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: Tunnel du Marquairès (D 907 Rousses), Bassurels (48).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/42487-Col-de-Salides). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Official elevation gain: 415 m, Parc national des Cévennes