VTT N°55 - The lime kilns
Les fours à calamines dans le ravin des Valettes
Les fours à calamines dans le ravin des Valettes - Virginie Govignon - OT Larzac et Vallées
Saint-Jean-du-Bruel

VTT N°55 - The lime kilns

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Following tracks and old mule paths, a breathtaking loop takes you from the Dourbie valley to the plateau of the Causse Bégon, suspended between the Grands Causses and the Cévennes region.

Through a landscape of chestnut and beech trees, ascend to the Causse Bégon plateau, on the western edge of the Cévennes mountains, enjoying exceptional panoramic views of the Dourbie canyon . This challenging route, with its significant elevation gain, is punctuated by heritage sites that invite you to stop and explore: lime and calamine kilns, the Baumelle sheepfold, and the  dolmen called 'le Tombeau du Géant" (Giant's Tomb)

Description

  1. From the parking area, take Rue du Moulin to the old bridge (Pont vieux), then turn right onto Rue de Cabrune. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead on this road until you reach the last houses.
  2. Take the dirt track for 1 km (the climb is quite steep) until you reach the road that leads up to the Col de la Pierre Plantée (D341).
  3. Follow it to the left, then turn right onto a very nice singletrack (the climb is just as steep as the previous one). At the next intersection with the D341, continue to your right for approximately 250 m.
  4. Take the path at the hairpin bend and pass by an old lime kiln. Don't hesitate to stop and take a look. Continue the climb for another 2km to reach the intersection of the road heading towards Causse Bégon and a dirt track that branches off to the left.
  5. Follow the track for 3km. Two points of interest are located near the path: the Giant's Tomb (dolmen) and a rock shelter.
  6. Just before the rock shelter, turn left and descend onto a singletrack trail leading to Seingleys. Before the end of the descent, on the left, admire the four magnificent Valettes kilns (former calamine kilns).
  7. In Seingleys, follow the road to the left towards St-Jean du Bruel, then at the entrance to the village, turn right onto Rue du Pont Vieux to reach the parking area.
  • Departure : St-Jean du Bruel
  • Arrival : St-Jean du Bruel
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Jean-du-Bruel and Causse-Bégon

Forecast

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Very difficult route for e-MTBs (carrying required)

Transport

To travel by bus or train, by carpooling  and hitchhiking Rezopouce.

Access and parking

40km southeast of Millau via the D809 and D999 (Larzac Plateau) or via the D991 and D999 (Gorges of the Dourbie).

Parking :

Place de la Borie, St-Jean du Bruel

Accessibility

Emergency number :
114

Source

C.C. Larzac et Vallées - Site Grands Causses VTT-FFC N°321
Site VTT cofinancé par l’Union Européenne.

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