The Mont Aigoual

On 05.Juni 2015, we went into the mountains to the second highest mountain of the Cevennes, the Mont Aigoual. First, our path led on the D 999 to Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort. That's a pretty small place, just 8km from Sauve. That was our place to shop substantially. On Tuesdays and Fridays there was market. We made a short stop to see what the market offers everything so. As usual in France throughout a visit to the market is always a special experience. The local farmers offer fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages and especially cheese. Specialty in the Cevennes is a goat's milk cheese, the Pelardon, which is available in three levels of maturity. We enjoyed especially the least-ripened cheese.

Junction to Valleraugue
(Source Google Streetview)

The journey continued via Ganges to Pont-de-l'Hérault where the D986 turning towards Valleraugue. Now we go up the hill in the valley of the Hérault, a river that springs from below the Mont Aigoual and flows into the Mediterranean at Agde. There, it is an insignificant river,  but the last kilometers are even navigable to the Mediterranean. He even touches the Canal de Midi.

In Valleraugue we make a short stop, a village in about 300m altitude with nearly 1,000 inhabitants but its area reaches up to the Mont Aigoual. Small hotels and restaurants are located on the main road that runs parallel to the river Hérault.

Valleraugue

Valleraugue

After a short break with village tour and visit to the Tourist Office, we will continue our journey. A steady but initially not very steep ascent takes us through the beautiful Hérault Valley up to 8 km the road climbs to a left turn up a steep mountainside in numerous serpentines. In some curves are lookout points, where we have wonderful views of the valley and back to Mont Aigoual. The small, inconspicuous settlement L'Esperou in 1230 m height with its hotels let realize that this area is a popular winter sports area.

Col de Serreyrède 1299 m

The watershed

A few kilometers further we arrive at the pass Serreyrède. It is interesting that this is the watershed for the springing rivers in the Cevennes. To the south, the waters flow into the Mediterranean Sea, to the north into the Atlantic. Here we stopped for some minuts. A small organic shop here offers products of the region. But then it's just a "stone's throw" (7km) on the top of the mountain. The height however it is still a leap from 1300 to 1567m.

In front of us
we see the summit

That a road leads here to the summit, is probably the weather station and the observatory due to having their place up here. A restaurant is also here with a terrace where we had taken a little refreshment. Of course you have a wonderful view in all directions. The top of the hill is deforested. Allegedly, one should be able to see in good visibility one-quarter the size of France.

On this path we have made a little walk

At the top

Serpentines uphill

The way back we also initially selected via the pass Serreyrède, but have then used  the D 323 to Le Vigan. There we visited the small town and then drove back to the D999 back to Sauve.

View of the  Cevennes