Grands Causses & Gorges of the Tarn & Jonte - Self Guided

Transfer time 0h50

We will organise your transfer from Millau to Meyrueis, which will be your base for the first 3 nights of your holiday. You stay in a comfortable 3* hotel with a renowned restaurant, peaceful gardens and a swimming pool.
Either on this first evening, or the following morning, we will discuss your trip with you and answer any questions that you may have.

4h walking, 11.8km / 7.4 miles, ascent/descent 410m

This walk begins by climbing very gently out of Meyrueis, then skirts the lower edge of cool woods running along the valley of the Jonte. Having crossed over the valley, you follow a tiny path as it zig-zags gradually up to the causse. Once you reach the top you are in a different world altogether, with endless views across the rolling limestone plateau to Mont Aiguoal and the Cévennes mountains beyond. As you drop back down to Meyrueis you have some tantalising views back over the Gorge of the Jonte.

5h walking, 14.6km / 9.1 miles, ascent 267m, descent 578m

You start with a short taxi transfer from Meyrueis, following the valley of the river Jonte towards its source on the slopes of Mont Aiguoal. You begin walking at the Col de Perjuret at 1031m altitude. Few parts of the causse have such variety; small agricultural hamlets, extraordinary 'chaos' rock formations, dramatic cliffs, all the time contrasting with views across to the mountains of the Cévennes.
Paths take you right through the heart of 'Nimes le Vieux' a range of limestone outcrops stretching over several kilometers, like the ruins of an ancient city. From Nimes le Vieux rolling tracks lead you across the plateau until gently descending grassy slopes back towards the valley of the Jonte and Meyrueis.

6h walking, 19.1kms/12 miles, ascent 595m, descent 411m

Small paths lead you out of Meyrueis and up onto the Causse Méjean. Once you are up on the rolling causse, the walking is easy with long, open vistas. You pass the famous cave of Aven Armand and a little further on, a thriving cheese producer and a rural museum offering a fascinating insight into life on the causses. You spend the night in a rural gîte in a small farming village.

5h walking, 16.5kms/ 10.3 miles, ascent 310m, descent 846m

This is one of your most varied and spectacular walking days. Tiny paths lead you through a forest of Scots pine, passing the site of a Gallo-Roman settlement as well as a cave where important Neolithic remains were found. Your path then winds through the centre of vast rock arches: examples of the extraordinary forms resulting from the erosion of the limestone. You have a choice of descents to Le Rozier, both offering impressive views of the gorges, often with the added excitement of vultures soaring overhead.
Your last 2 nights are spent in the pretty riverside village of Le Rozier. You stay in a family run hotel (2*), with its own restaurant and spa.

6h walking , 12.8kms/8 miles, ascent/descent 470m

Small paths lead you up the gorge side and through semi troglodyte village clinging to the cliff face. These villages are only accessible by foot, and their position defies belief. The views back over the gorges are equally impressive. From here, you continue climbing up onto the top of the Causse Sauveterre where the walking becomes easy, with soft forest paths underfoot, largely flat. You then have a dramatic descent with heady views ahead to Le Rozier in the valley below.

Transfer time 0h30

We will provide your return transfer to Millau to coincide with your onward travel plans.