Les Hautes Terres and La Loire
342 km
The itinerary starts at Labastide sur Besorgues. Your trip will lead you to Jaujac located at the bottom of the youngest (12000 years old), most perfect and the most southern volcano of the Ardèche Cévennes.
Further on, after leaving La Souche you will climb the Croix de Bauzon pass. You will then be on the ridge of the Vivarais Cévenol, to the West you will find the “Hautes Terres” covered with forests and meadows, to the East the “Serres”( ridges) among narrow valleys.
Friends
In Mazan-l’Abbaye, if you wish, you can visit the beautiful ruins of the Cistercian Abbey. A few kilometres more and you will be heading for the lac d’Issarlès, one of the gem of Ardèche, situated at about 1000 meters in altitude. Its water is 138 meters deep and covers the crater of an old volcano in an area of 90 hectares.
beautiful scenic route
On the way, you will pass through a quaint mountain village called “Béage” with its farm roofs covered in slate, and then comes Ste Eulalie and Gerbier-de-Jonc, with its solidified lava, which is the source of the Loire River. From there, head towards the Circuit des Sucs for new sportive and touristic adventures!
Les Hautes-Terres
Change in altitude : 6195m. Cols : 21.
2 or 3 day option for touring cyclists.
Shorter
“La Loire” 284 km.
For the ones that want a slightly shorter itinerary, you just have to go downhill at Gerbier de Jonc to arrive at St Martin de Valamas, 20 kilometres away.
La Loire
Change in altitude : 5140m Cols : 16. 2 or 3 day option for touring cyclists.