Hiking - Cham des Balmelles
Narrow paths, mule tracks, and wide trails reveal very different landscapes between the Borne valley and the Cham des Balmelles.<br/>
Threaded with small paths, this is fertile land. From the small gardens facing the sun, bordered by tiny dry-stone stairways where people once carried harvests on their backs, you can hear the “horses” of the Chassezac, the Borne, and the Altier rivers rolling by.<br/>
Along the route, signposts guide you. The place names and/or directions to follow are indicated in "<em><strong>bold italics and quotation marks</strong></em>" in the description below: <br/><br/>
From « <em><strong>Pied de Borne</strong></em> », head towards « <em><strong>Cham des Balmelles</strong></em> » via « <em><strong>La Vernède</strong></em> », « <em><strong>Les Blachères</strong></em> », « <em><strong>La Font de St Michel</strong></em> », « <em><strong>Plot de Combat</strong></em> ».
At « <em><strong>Cham des Balmelles</strong></em> », turn left towards « <em><strong>Les Aydons</strong></em> ».
At « <em><strong>Les Aydons</strong></em> », turn left to return to « <em><strong>Pied de Borne</strong></em> » via « <em><strong>Les Blachères</strong></em> », « <em><strong>La Vernède</strong></em> ». <br/><br/>
Walk extracted from the map-guide <strong>Mont Lozère – Land of Sources, From Margeride to Villefort Lake in the Cévennes</strong>, produced by the Mont Lozère outdoor activity center.<br/>
Adapt your equipment to the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather can change quickly in the mountains. Be sure to bring enough water, sturdy shoes, and a hat. Always close fences and gates properly.