The cart trail

Key facts

Distance: 11.0 km
Ascent: +652 m
Descent: −578 m
Estimated time: 3 hr 40; hiking
Difficulty: Difficult; official rating
Route: Loop; back to the start

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Description

Hamlets steeped in history, where sheepfolds and houses still talk of life in the old days, with its clandestine Protestant gatherings, called gatherings in the Wilderness, which were held in remote spots, such as La Figayrole or Bonperrier. This path joins up with a ridge that has panoramic 360° views. It partly takes the Margeride draille (drovers’ road), still used by transhumant flocks of sheep to reach the summer pastures in the uplands. Signposts will guide you all along this route, as well as yellow painted waymarks. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks: Starting from the car park, take the road downhill to Le Cros hamlet. - At the signpost “Le Cros”, head towards "Figayrole". - At "Figayrole" direction "Serre de Roque Rouge" and "Roque rouge". - At "Roque Rouge" turn right towards "L'Elzière". - At "L'Elzière" take the path on the right below the houses, the GR®62, towards “Le Cros”, cross the hamlets of Fenouillet. - At Fenouillet,continue on the road to reach the car park.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

Before committing yourself to a walk, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: Valleraugue, hameau du Cros, Val-d'Aigoual (30).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74492-Les-Chars). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
Official elevation gain: 652 m, Parc national des Cévennes