Sports and leisure activities Causses et Cévennes

A former railroad line, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time as soon as you take your first steps, or start pedaling. The 3 m wide track passes over the Eiffel-type Lavassac metal bridge, viaducts and tunnels for 3.5 km. Pleasant both for the quality of its surface and for the views it affords over the Cévennes valley of the Rivière d'Arre. It lends itself equally well to walks and bike rides with family and friends, rollerblade training and daily jogging.

Whether you're an experienced motorcycle enthusiast or an amateur, the truth is well known in the Cévennes, particularly in the Aigoual massif: mountain biking is king, especially in Valleraugue where "Base VTT Explosion" is located. For the past 15 years, this base has offered packages to suit all levels, whether you're a beginner, amateur or professional. Services include à la carte rentals, topo-guides, technical and logistical assistance, downhill formulas and raid organization.

Set off on a relatively easy 6.1 km hike. The route follows the ridge between the Hérault and Rieutord valleys. Start at Sumène in the Gard department. From Avenue de la Gare, head for Cap de Coste via Pont-Grand. Le Serre will soon be signposted, so keep following the signs. You'll eventually reach your starting point via Rue du Coin, then cross Pont-Grand again.

A large natural area and mountains undoubtedly imply that there is what is needed to delight amateur sports enthusiasts. The Cevennes is a place of hiking and mountain biking. The Bed and Breakfast Hotel Les Cessenades proposes to stay in full Cévenne while walking through this mountain on hiking or cycling. Two old farm bodies overlooking a common courtyard are located in front of a river where summer days are refreshed. Thick walls, red windows and ceilings with exposed beams, the hotel is typically cevenol. On the sports and nature side, the hotel proposes to rent atvs (15 € per day). You start the journey by using an old railway path transformed into a cycle path. A nice corner of nature to spend your holidays.

The pleasures of snow sports are to be discovered with the family in this traditional resort located at the highest point of Mount Lozère  ! The resort offers 7 downhill and 5 cross-country ski trails. Snowshoe hiking enthusiasts now have two loops of 2.5 and 5 km (snowshoe rental on site) at their disposal. For novices or amateurs wishing to perfect their style, the ski school of the resort offers lessons with professional instructors. Children are not forgotten with a toboggan run.

Several formulas are possible from 2 to 6 hours, several scenarios: the confrontations in teams are done in complete safety and include all the equipment: gas, balls, framing, photo album and refreshments. Lozère Paintball is installed on a 2 hectare shaded field but the structure can also move at home for special occasions (birthdays, aperitifs...) or rent the field for a duration of 3 hours for groups of 10 people minimum (marbles in supplement). Unleashing of energy in all circumstances.

Didier Sirvins proposes, mainly to riders at ease with the three paces, full day or half day rides in the surroundings of the Mont Lozère. Breeder of Lusitano horses, demanding rider, this qualified instructor and guide of equestrian tourism will help you to progress in your relationship with your mount and will make you discover the sumptuous landscapes of the region which combine large forests with plateaus. Among his equestrian services, he also proposes pension, dressage, riding lessons.

This French fishing guide in Lozere takes you fishing on the west coast of the United States, in the Rocky Mountains: Montana (Missouri, Madison, Gallatin…), Ihado (Henry's Fork, East Fork, Big Lost River, Big Wood…), Utah (Strawberry, Northern, Current…). Your stay is at least 15 days and takes place in July and August. You are housed in camping or motel. You fish the fly almost always on gobage or in nymph in view. A unique experience and a nice gift to make.

The Gorges du Tarn golf course offers an 18-hole wooded and hilly course, in a spectacular environment, which was designed by Chris Pittman, as an extension of the traditional 9 holes. Its fairways require a lot of technical skill because they are very narrow. On site, the club-house offers all the necessary services: store, bar, restaurant, locker room. Lessons and training courses are offered to golfers of all levels and ages. To try this sport, group initiations take place in July and August.

This family-run business uses the Tarn gorges and their whitewater to develop a range of refreshing sports activities. Several descents, from 8 to 47 kilometers, from a few hours to several days, allow you to discover the area and its breathtaking panoramas. In addition to canoes and kayaks, paddles offer a different perspective on the river. Canoë 2000 also offers its customers supervised caving, canyoning and via ferrata, with routes to suit all ages and profiles.

On the edge of the Causse Méjean, this equestrian center welcomes you for horseback rides. Discover, in a few kilometers, an amazing variety of landscapes, from the arid and rocky areas typical of the limestone plateaus to the breathtaking panoramas of the Tarn gorges. The horses are calm and used to this type of outing, allowing you to enjoy the landscapes serenely for two hours. Cécile, who holds a sports instructor's certificate, is also there to supervise these moments in the open air and ensure the safety of all the riders.

It is one of the oldest (since 1976!) and best known boat hire companies in the gorge. From May to October, they offer routes and formulas with canoe hire and the accessories (vests, canister, paddles) necessary for a safe descent. Descents of 3, 10 or 23 km are possible. So much for the "classic" offer. More unusual formulas are proposed alongside the canoe, with bungee jumping, or the dromabox which doubles the course on the Tarn with a camel ride. There is also canoeing and mountain biking, canoeing and via ferrata...

Follow a charming itinerary, suitable for all walkers, with no major difficulties. Stretching over just 1.5 km, this walk invites you to explore the key points of interest in Florac, the capital of the Cévennes National Park. Guided by the murmur of the Pêcher spring, you'll visit not only the château, but also sites such as the Saint-Martin church, the former convent, the Vibron and the ferradou. Departing from the Tourist Office, the route is punctuated by 12 numbered interpretation markers.

This sporty course, which mixes the pleasures of mountain hiking with those of climbing, is available in two courses equally suited to beginners and more experienced climbers. The via ferrata of Rousses links rock walls, zip lines and suspension bridges to thrill in complete safety, but also to enjoy the exceptional landscapes of the Tapoul gorges. The circuit, which runs along the river, even allows you to refresh yourself on the way while enjoying the pleasures of the water. The entrance is free and the equipment can be rented on the spot.

Ghislain and Malika propose in the Terrados campsite a hundred of canoes-kayaks to go down the Tarn, along four courses from 8 to 22 km from Sainte-Enimie to Le Rozier. Perfect to discover the Détroits, the Cirque des Beaumes, the Pas du Soucy, the sablière... As well as all the remarkable villages that inhabit the banks of the Tarn: Sainte-Enimie, Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, La Malène, Les Vignes, Le Rozier... On the river, among the hundreds of boats that navigate every day, you can recognize the CTM canoes by their white or blue color.

When it comes to accommodation, there are several options available in Le Rozier, a small village located at the confluence of the Tarn and Jonte gorges. You can choose from municipal campsites, such as Camping Municipal, Camping Brudy and Camping Les Peupliers. There are also hotels available, such as Hôtel Doussière, Hôtel de la Muse et du Rozier and Grand Hôtel Des Voyageurs. For catering, there's a food truck on site, as well as restaurants in the village. There will also be events such as conferences, exhibitions and musical performances.

You are over 1000 metres above sea level: the ideal way to spend the fresh mountain air i! Located in the Causse de Mende, this health course has 20 stations, each with an explanatory panel to familiarize you with physical exercise. Thus, before you get involved, take the time to understand the effects of each movement on your organization. In the middle of the countryside, you are surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Enjoy the pleasures of sports and sightseeing!

Top start at the spa resort of Bagnols-les-Bains. This hike of some 8 kilometres will lead you first to the village of Saint-Julien-du-Tournel, where the loop begins to take you to the awaited castle of the Tournel. The trail is easy and pleasant, it evolves along the Lot valley. Do you have any doubt about your itinerary? You can rely on green markup, you can't lose!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 8,4 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: green.

It is the trail No. 15 of the Guide Guide Trail and its surrounding area (reference P 481). At the beginning of the sport of the sportif of the Causse de Mende, this pédestre loop brings you back to the pastoral life of the last century. As you go down, on a quiet and without difficulty path, you cross the dead villages of Gerbal and Chaumette. Always follow the pine apple of the NFB markup: you will return to your starting point after two hours of walking.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 5,9 km.

Duration: 2 h.

Difficulty: .

Markup: NFB - Pine apple.

Set in the heart of the Causse forest, this area is designed for keen and experienced cyclists as well as amateurs and beginners. This environmentally-friendly mountain bike park is divided into three routes, each accessible according to age and level. The first has been designed and made safe for toddlers. The second, with two workshops and three natural obstacles, is reserved for 5 to 8 year-olds. The third circuit, just over a kilometer long, is punctuated by a footbridge and numerous obstacles to appeal to the over 8s. Sensations for the whole family.

You don't have to be a member to take part in one of the many hikes proposed by this cheerful team, whose program can be found online or in the local press. Membership is compulsory after the^3rd participation, after having tested the club's good atmosphere... One of the club's stated aims is clear: "To share steps and create social links". The website lists all the outings scheduled for the week and half-year, together with a list of essential equipment.

It is on the southern slope of the Lozère mountain that La Cavale du Ventalon welcomes riders, according to several formulas, from the short ride to the weekend, or even more. More than a simple ride, it is a real immersion in the Cevennes landscapes which is proposed here, in the immediate vicinity of the GR7 and 68. A discovery of the Cevennes at the rhythm of the horse which can only amaze the nature lovers. La Cavale du Ventalon also offers options for walking or with a donkey, camping at the farm, and tasting good products along the way.

The Mas Camargues is a remarkable and imposing building complex, made of cut granite blocks, built in the 15th century, which houses a seasonal information center of the Cevennes Park. There are various elements of a typical farm (sheepfold, mill...). From there, you can follow a discovery trail that allows you to observe all the aspects of the massif: pastures, moors, forests, peat bogs, high altitude grasslands frequented by transhumants, and to approach the source of the Tarn.

Come and meet the Lord of lozériennes forests: chestnut. At the beginning of Molezon, this easy 2,5 kilometre trail evolves in full nature between streams, forest, terraces and stone walls. At the end of the journey you can reach a restored mas in which you can enjoy a 40-minute audio show from mid-June to mid-September on the oral memory of the French Valley. However, if you can, we particularly recommend this walk in the autumn: The colours are of all beauty, and you can enjoy a few chestnuts and mushrooms!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 2,5 km.

Difficulty: .

Located in the gorges of the Tarn, the Canophile offers you the opportunity to discover this site on a canoe or kayak. It is indeed from the surface of the water that the place seems the most imposing and wild. The Embarcadère pier is located just a few hundred metres from the village of Sainte-Enimie, whose water plan allows for a peaceful start to the practice of this water sport. Boats rent on time or for several days, depending on the route you wish to make. The Canophile offers several routes 8 to 40 kilometres upstream or downstream from the village.

Tariff: 10 € for the rental of the canoe.

Duration: 1 h.

Difficulty: .

This 127-hectare lake, with a capacity of 35.6 million cubic meters, is the result of an artificial water reservoir at the Villefort dam, which is used primarily for electricity production - the hydroelectric plant is located at Pied-de-Borne - which explains the variations in water level throughout the year. But it is also a superb natural space, surrounded by the mountain, a formidable ground for many leisure activities: hiking, with 7 km of marked path around the lake, swimming, supervised on a beautiful sandy beach, in the summer afternoons, water sports, with the Grandeur Nature water sports base, a via ferrata, without forgetting fishing of course with Accueil Pêche et Nature which sells cards, equipment, rents boats and can also supervise novice fishermen, or even give introductory courses! The fario trout, the rainbow trout, the minnow and the chub indeed swim in number in the waters of the lake. Canoeing, pedal boating and windsurfing are also practiced on this site, where each corner is dedicated to a particular activity. Be careful, however, the navigation of boats is regulated, all information will be provided at the tourist office. When the waters of this dam, whose construction lasted from 1957 to 1965, are at their lowest, one can also see vestiges of the life of the past, in particular under the bridge of the XIXth century which resisted during the watering of the site. About twenty families, living in the valley, had been forced to leave.

The ski resort, which has successfully converted to a 4-season resort, offers a wide range of outdoor activities all year round: hiking, mountain biking, Nordic walking... In winter, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing take over. Also worth trying out is the geocaching interpretation trail, a satellite-based geopositioning system that allows you to find clues at various points along the 2.7 km trail. Perfect for enriching your knowledge.

Installed in Lozère, which he chose for its wide open spaces full of promise, Olivier Barascud offers a range of services for riders. Behaviorist, "horse man" as he defines himself, this former acrobat proposes a discovery of the animal (approach of the animal, positioning) before taking his customers for a ride in complete safety. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, the horses, perfectly trained, and the equipment will allow you to enjoy in all serenity the sumptuous landscapes that you will cross along the way.

Millau being the paradise of free flight, there is no reason to deprive yourself of it! You can practice safely with the team of the structure which has the necessary equipment and skills. In this school affiliated to the French Federation of Free Flight, you can have fun with the wind and the air. Discovery flight in paragliding, initiation in hang-gliding - after flight simulation -, and improvement, that's the main offer. The technique can then be refined by means of courses focused on thermal conditions, cross country flying..

Since 1996, this structure proposes to explore several horizons - hence its name! - through paragliding activities (certified school), caving, canyoning, via ferrata, climbing, accroparc... Several instructors accompany you all year round to experience these exceptional moments in complete safety. A shop in the centre of Millau sells specialised equipment, paragliding equipment and adventure sports activities, and gives sound advice on how to enjoy outdoor activities. An address to remember.

Do you want to breathe the fresh air, to soar in altitude or to discover an imperceptible universe at human height? Why not try paragliding with Acrobi Parapente and its professional instructors? Whether you are 4 or 99 years old, whether you weigh 20 or 120 kg, the team has all the necessary equipment to make you take off... Moreover, in paragliding, no vertigo. Just this incredible feeling of freedom; or sometimes some stronger sensations, when at your initiative, the instructor tries some more perilous movements.

If you feel like riding on the cornice of the Millau limestone plateaus or to go for a ride between the viaduct and the Larzac limestone plateaus, or to discover the Cade forest... Crazy e-bike offers all-terrain bikes (touring or enduro) and electric mountain bikes for hire, including for children. Comfortable and efficient, and easy to learn, these two-wheelers will allow you to try out several circuits, some of them more technical. You will find a reception point just after the bridge over the Tarn in the campsite area.

The aim of this association is to help people discover Aveyron by bike. It's a great idea for organizing pleasant rides and exploring unique landscapes. All dates and events are announced on the website, which is regularly updated and maintained by the members of this dynamic committee. It's a real mine of information for cycling enthusiasts, or for those wishing to take up the sport in a suitable environment.

The Spéléo-Club des Causses in Millau is a caving association affiliated to the Fédération Française de Spéléologie. Founded in 1963, the club offers caving, underground diving, archaeology and canyoning. Located at Impasse Gambetta, the club also has a specialized bookshop. The club's website also features recent articles on the various explorations and discoveries made by the club.

White water version, there is not only the Ardèche in Ardèche. There is also the Chassezac and the CCC, the company that allows you to paddle on this charming river. Between 2h and 3h of navigation depending on the route. You have the choice of boats, canoe, kayak, rafting. A shuttle bus ensures your return. It is imperative to know how to swim. On your way, many swimming points with magnificent beaches and wild nature landscapes of any beauty.

Canoë Ceven Aventure offers you the chance to canoe or kayak down the Gorges du Chassezac in complete freedom, and enjoy the beauty and calm of the area to the full. This indentation between two limestone walls over 100 m high is breathtakingly beautiful and much less frequented than the Ardèche gorges. The environment is as wild as you could wish for, with an abundance of bathing spots. For the more adventurous, the CCA team can take you canyoning, caving, rafting, via corda, climbing... A whole host of adventures with a friendly, highly professional team!

This golf course, which was the first to be built in Lozère, has a 9-hole course (1904 m, par 32) and enjoys a remarkable location, with a unique panorama: in the background, the medieval village of La Garde-Guérin and, overhanging it, the Chassezac gorges. Not to mention its proximity to the Régordane trail. Managed by a group of passionate golf enthusiasts, the course is colloquially known as "les 3 G" (Golf Garde-Guérin), and some people even refer to it as a Scottish golf course. The site, which offers affordable rates, is renowned for its friendly atmosphere.

Visitors can enjoy go-karting, inflatable games, trampolines and much more. The average visit lasts between 1 and 3.5 hours.

Les Poneys du Val d'Émeraude offers the perfect setting for introducing children to horse riding. In a lush 11-hectare park, young explorers can enjoy pony rides accompanied by caring adults, exciting introductory sessions and encounters with the farm's adorable inhabitants. 7-day pony courses for children aged 6 to 12 promise unforgettable adventures during the school vacations. With a breeding program of pedigree Shetland ponies available for sale, this is a paradise for pony lovers.

Lozère from the sky, it's here! Whether you're looking for a first flight, a beginner's course or an introduction to microlight piloting, Christophe Ansaldo can help you discover the sensations and techniques involved. He'll show you how magnificent Lozère is from the air, with its forests, plateaux, causses, rivers and gorges! Instructor and pilot, he caters for beginners and experienced pilots alike. He is approved by the French civil aviation authority (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile) to carry out a wide range of overflight missions, from surveillance to aerial photography.