Key facts

Distance: 13.7 km
Ascent: +480 m
Descent: −423 m
Estimated time: 1 hr 45; trail running
Difficulty: Moderate; official rating
Route: Out and back; same way back

Profile and gradient

under 10%
10 to 20%
over 20%

Surface and path types

Surface: Paved 35%
Dirt & gravel 65%
Path types: Trail 11%
Track 54%
Road 35%

Description

This path crosses the beautiful Aigoual beech forest and its attendant flora. The view from the summit remains as breathtaking as ever ! 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 : There-and-back trail. - From "Espérou-Halle", run to "Col de l'Espérou" via: - "La halle", - "Montlau", - “Col de l'Espérou”, make for "Col de la Serreyrède" via: - "Serre de Favatel". - Au "Col de la Serreyrède", run to "Station de Prat Peyrot" via: - "Le Fangas". - At “Prat Peyrot”, go uphill to "Sommet du Mont Aigoual" via: - "Draille du Calcadis", - "La drailhe", - "Les antennes", - "Carrefour", - "Sommet du mont Aigoual". Go around the weather station. Return to L'Espérou by retracing your steps: "Les Antennes", "La Drailhe", "Draille de Calcadis","Station de Prat Peyrot", "Le Fangas", "Col de la Serreyrède", "Serre de Pavatel", "Montlau", "la Halle", "Espérou-Halle". 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.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, 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. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: L’Espérou, Les halles, Dourbies (30).

Sources

Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74829-Dorsale-de-l-Aigoual-(Trail)). 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: 480 m, Parc national des Cévennes

The spine of Mont Aigoual (Trail)