The Parc National des Cévennes was created in 1970 to protect and preserve the life, landscape, flora, fauna and architectural heritage of the Cévennes. North to south, it stretches from Mende on the Lot to Le Vigan and includes both Mont Lozère and Mont Aigoual. Access, to the periphery at least, is surprisingly easy, thanks to the Paris–Clermont–Alès–Nîmes train line and the Montpellier–Mende link.Numerous walking routes crisscross the area: GRs 6, 7 and 60 cross all or part of the range, and other paths complete various circuits. The GR66 does the tour of Mont Aigoual in 78.5km, the GR68 of Mont Lozère in 110km. Another good route is the 130-kilometre Tour des Cévennes on the GR67. If you do go off Hiking, remember that these are proper mountains for all their southerly latitude. You need good Hiking boots, warm and weatherproof clothing, emergency shelter, adequate food, maps and guidebooks. The current weather situation is obtainable on: tel 07.08.36.68.02 (Ardèche); tel 08.36.68.02.30 (Gard); tel 08.36.68.02.48 (Lozère). The main information office for the park is at Florac. It publishes numerous leaflets on the flora, fauna and traditions of the park, plus activities and routes for walkers, cyclists, canoeists and horse riders. It also provides a list of gîtes d'étape in the park and can provide information for those following Stevenson's route, including where to hire a donkey. In July and August, it's wise to book ahead for accommodation; otherwise you could find yourself sleeping out.
Pages in section ‘Parc National’: Mende, Mont Lozère, Florac, Mont Aigoual.
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