MTB 4 - L’Espérou mountain, graded blue

Description

This loop through the forest quickly changes from a rolling route to a single track on which steering and controlling your MTB will be crucial. Signposts will guide you all along this route. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks: From “Halle de l’Espérou”, take the road on the left. - At “La Halle”, take the track on the right and continue to - “Les Douzes”. Turn right towards - “Font des Douzes”. Turn left to “Pueylong”. - At “Pueylong” re-join the road on the left for 900 m and take the single track leading to - “Bois du Mas Méjean”, - “Route Dhombres”. Cross the road and take, on your right, the single track all the way to - “Le château”, then turn left on the road towards - “Carrefour” before returning to “La halle de l'Espérou”. This walk is taken from the guidebook Massif de l’Aigoual, published by the Communauté de communes Causses Aigoual Cévennes as part of the collection Espaces Naturels Gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. You must wear a helmet; further protective equipment is recommended. Respect other road users and stay in control of your speed and trajectory. Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. No off-roading.

Getting there

Start: L’Espérou, Dourbies (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/43913-La-montagne-de-l-Esperou---VTT-n4). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 239 m, Parc national des Cévennes