Les Concluses de Lussan- Le Merderis

There is a lot to see in Lussan. Start with the clear waters of the narrows at the Portail des Concluses and carry on to the Pierre Plantée standing stone. You will be delighted by a breathtaking view of the Cévennes and will cross the scrubland on varied terrain to the Table des Turcs dolmen. Eventually you arrive at La Lèque, which is an ideal spot for a lunchbreak. The last few kilometres are on wide lanes, leading back to the first section of the route.

Technical sheet

4098521
A Lussan walk posted on 15/03/16 by Tamtraductions. Last update : 19/05/16
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.69 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 339 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 344 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 305 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 164 m
  • ⚐
    District: Lussan (30580)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.181633° / E 4.403141°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2940OT

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

Access: From the village of Verfeuil, head down the D143 towards Lussan. At the intersection, continue right towards Les Concluses. Park in the second car park at the top of a narrow tarmac road. Warning! Do not leave anything in your cars.

(S/F) From the car park, facing the Concluses, head right on the track leading down to the Portail des Concluses.

(1) Pass by the viewoint over Aiguillon stream (there are several in this section) and carry on downhill.

(2) At Portail des Concluses, take in the beauty of the site, especially in the spring, when there is plenty of water in the stream. Cross the wooden footbridge and bear left.

(3) After an uphill section of path, you'll need to climb a few rocks or steps in the rock (more tiring than technical) before reaching a hillside where a rope handrail provides reassurance. Take time to enjoy the view from the path along the Aiguillon and continue into Combe de Queue de Boeuf valley, partly on a path through undergrowth.

(4) At the junction, head right towards the Pierre Plantée menhir. When the path peters out, head right, up a stony section, followed by a narrow path which winds its way to the menhir.

(5) Pass to the right of the menhir, turn off to the right after 50m and continue through the scrub towards Merderis and Méjannes-le-Clap. A few steps further on, on the plateau, you have a view of the whole range of the Cévennes.

(6) Follow the ridgeline down on a stony path with limestone rocks (watch your step) reaching a "stairway" of wooden poles and ending in the bed of the Merderis.

(7) Head left along the dry riverbed towards the Combe de Ruph valley. About a hundred metres later, bear right on a path which climbs through the woods towards the dolmen of the Table des Turcs.

(8) The rocky path passes through rather curious undergrowth, where the trees seem bearded with moss. Carry on, ignoring several paths to the left.

(9) At the fork, bear left towards the Table des Turcs, which is only about a hundred metres further on. You come to the dolmen and the Merderis caves (not shown on the IGN map). Carry straight on to the Le Quarton junction.

(10) Turn left and carry straight on at each intersection to reach the hamlet of La Leque.

(11) At the hamlet, ignore the road to the right which leads to the D979 and continue straight ahead due south-east.

(12) At the intersection, go left, ignore two trailheads to the left and continue to a fork.

(13) Bear right, then turn into the first track on the left reaching a wide dirt road.

(14) Turn left, then right at the next fork and stay on this road until a multiple intersection.

(15) Bear left and continue to Combe de Queue de Boeuf.

(4) Turn right and retrace the first part of the outward route, via the Portail des Concluses, to reach the car park from which you set out. (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 234 m
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 199 m - Viewpoint over the Aiguillon
  3. 2 : km 1.11 - alt. 182 m - Portail des Concluses
  4. 3 : km 1.31 - alt. 193 m - Tricky section
  5. 4 : km 2.23 - alt. 241 m - Fork, head right
  6. 5 : km 3.05 - alt. 300 m - Pierre Plantée menhir
  7. 6 : km 3.52 - alt. 284 m - Cévennes viewpoint
  8. 7 : km 3.98 - alt. 214 m - Head left
  9. 8 : km 4.55 - alt. 234 m - Mossy undergrowth
  10. 9 : km 5.54 - alt. 268 m - Combe de Ruph junction; head left
  11. 10 : km 6.43 - alt. 303 m - Le Quarton junction; head left
  12. 11 : km 8.36 - alt. 268 m - La Lèque; continue towards "Portail des Concluses"
  13. 12 : km 8.94 - alt. 287 m - Head left
  14. 13 : km 9.59 - alt. 300 m - Intersection; head right
  15. 14 : km 10.07 - alt. 297 m - Intersection; head left
  16. 15 : km 11.34 - alt. 293 m - Plan du Boeuf; head left
  17. S/E : km 14.69 - alt. 234 m

Useful Information

(3) Care is needed on this section, which involves some scrambling up rocks or steps in the rock. Shortly after, a rope handrail affords assistance on a section close to the edge. Take the usual precautions, especially if accompanied by children.__

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

(1) Viewpoint over the Aiguillon gorges
(2) The Portail des Concluses
(5) Pierre Plantée menhir

As you approach (6), fine view of the Cévennes range

Between (8 and 9), damp undergrowth with trees draped in moss; Fontaine des Quatre Pattes waterfall

(10) Table des Turcs dolmen and Merderis caves

(11) La Lèque: a fine hamlet, ideal for a picnic

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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