The Col de Montals and the interpretation trail of the Hêtraie
From the Halle de l'Espérou, follow "Les Halles" and turn left on a track that goes up. Follow the track to the right and continue towards "Les Douzes", then follow the direction of "Pueylong" passing by "Le Font des Douzes". At "Pueylong", turn right to "Tabusse" and follow left to reach the "Col de Montals" via the "Bois de Montals".
From the "Col de Montals", at an altitude of 1308 m, it is possible to hike to the waterfalls of Orgon. A path dotted with spruce trees where small stone bridges and retaining walls line the route.
Once you reach the pass, turn left towards the "Col de la Lusette". Be careful, do not miss the crossing on the right 500 m after the pass. Then pass in front of "La Hêtraie". The Beech tree, a species that has been established in the heart of the Aigoual for more than 4000 years, particularly appreciates the climate of the mountain and in particular the frequent fogs that ensure a regular and diffuse humidity. Starting from the Montals pass, the Beech Grove trail is part of a network of forest trails and sites open to the discovery and knowledge of the forest environment, under the supervision of the ONF. Around the mountain of Aulas, the path is punctuated by 8 interpretation stations explaining the growth of the beech and its perfect integration into the landscape.
Then continue your way, and you will arrive at the "Col de la Lusette".The forest of Mount Aigoual and the Col de Lusette
A mountain pass at 1351 m altitude, the Col de la Lusette has entered the collective memory thanks to the Tour de France 2020 where it was climbed during the 6th stage Le Teil - Mont Aigoual. Linking the Arre and Mandagout valleys to Espérou, the Lusette pass is the most difficult to climb in the whole Cevennes massif. But its ascent, as arduous as it is, is sublimated by the splendour of the landscapes crossed.
The forest of Mount Aigoual is also a great place to discover nature. It is a forest with a thousand faces, sometimes on the lower Cévennes valleys descending towards the Hérault, sometimes on the granitic crests culminating at 1565 m in altitude, or covering the gentle slopes descending towards the limestone plateaus. This diversity of environments highlights an exceptional wealth of vegetation. Deciduous and coniferous trees are found side by side. This forest, as remarkable as it is, is the result of man's work: it was entirely created in the middle of the 19th century during the restoration of the mountain terrain, in order to prevent the risks of soil erosion. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2011, the Aigoual state forest is recognised for its natural and landscape heritage. Its 16,124 hectares extend over the departments of Gard and Lozère.The Way of Saint-Guilhem and the GR7
The Grande Traversée Pédestre du Massif Central (Great Pedestrian Crossing of the Massif Central) links the highlands of Aubrac to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, criss-crossing the Causses and the Cévennes and their fabulous landscapes shaped by man. This pedestrian route, an ancient transhumance route and pilgrimage path since the Middle Ages, crosses the Espérou and its vast natural spaces before continuing its journey towards the Languedoc scrublands and the Abbey of Saint-Guilhem.
The GR7 follows the watershed from the Vosges to the Pyrenees. It is therefore quite natural that we find it on this loop, at the level of Espérou.
Take the technical monotrace to the marker "Bois du Mas Méjean" passing by "Bois de Villeméjane". Then continue on the "Route Dhombres". There, just after the road crossing (be careful!), take on the right the monotrace towards "Le Château", then return to the "Halle de l'Espérou" via "L'Espérou - Carrefour".The Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike
L'Espérou is located on the route of the famous Grande Traversée du Massif Central en VTT, (GTMC), well known to sports enthusiasts. A historic route for mountain biking, the GTMC offers a route of nearly 1400 km from the lakes and mountains of Morvan to the beaches of the Mediterranean. Revised in 2018, this route crosses the Cévennes National Park and the Grandes Causses, offering spectacular panoramas of the Cévennes landscapes.
