Hiking around Florac: 8 Day Hikes and Walks in the Cévennes
Published on 05-11-2026
© Myrabella – CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (photo recadrée)
Why Florac is a great base for hiking
Florac-Trois-Rivières is home to the headquarters of the Cévennes National Park. The small town sits where the Tarn, Tarnon and Mimente rivers meet, right below the limestone cliffs of the Causse Méjean. Within a few kilometres you move from limestone plateaus to Cévennes schist and Mont Lozère granite, so every day of walking feels different.
Best of all, several waymarked loops start in the centre of Florac, at the Maison du Tourisme et du Parc national des Cévennes (tourist office and National Park visitor centre). You can leave the car and simply walk out of town. For a first look at the town itself, read One day in Florac.
Easy walks near Florac for families
Florac, une source dans la ville (a spring in the town): the easiest way to start. This very easy interpretive loop is 2.3 km (1.4 miles), about 1 h 30, with 72 m (236 ft) of ascent. It winds through the old streets before reaching the Source du Pêcher, a spring that bursts out of the Causse Méjean through a scree slope. It starts from the tourist office car park.
Short Couronnes loop via Grimoald: an easy 4.9 km (3 miles) loop, about 1 h 30 and 222 m (728 ft) of ascent, along the hillside below the Rochefort cliffs and through the hamlet of Viala de Grimoald. Great views of Florac and the Tarnon valley for moderate effort. The National Park notes that cows with calves may graze on part of the route, so pass calmly.
Gralhon: a local favourite with families. This 8.3 km (5.2 miles) loop, about 2 h 30 with 457 m (1,499 ft) of ascent and yellow waymarks, crosses a chestnut forest at the foot of the Causse Méjean cliffs and the hamlets of Monteils and Salièges, then returns to Florac along the Tarn. A lovely half-day hike.
The foothills of the Causse Méjean above Florac
© Pierre Bona – CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (photo recadrée)
The Couronnes loop the classic Florac hike
This is Florac's signature hike. The Couronnes loop is 14.3 km (8.9 miles), about 6 hours, with 854 m (2,802 ft) of ascent and a high point of 1,035 m. Rated difficult, it climbs beneath the rim of the Causse Méjean, past the dramatic dolomite "crowns", and looks down over the whole Florac valley with Mont Lozère on the horizon.
The National Park warns that the climb is steep, the first section under the crowns is rocky with steps and a few exposed passages, and the descent to Croupillac is stony. It is best for experienced walkers; start early on hot days. The trail passes the start of the Rochefort via ferrata: thrill-seekers can read our guide to the best via ferrata routes in Lozère.
Hiking on the Causse Mejean at Nimes le Vieux
Up on the Causse Méjean plateau, the Nîmes-le-Vieux rock chaos looks like a ruined city of dolomite towers carved by water. The National Park discovery trail is an easy 6.1 km (3.8 miles) loop, about 3 hours, with 136 m (446 ft) of ascent, starting from the hamlets of L'Hom or Le Veygalier. Access is via the Col du Perjuret on the D996 from Florac. A very easy 1.6 km (1 mile) variant starts from Le Veygalier.
The trail lies in the core area of the National Park and livestock guardian dogs protect the flocks: stay on the marked path and close the gates behind you. Make a full day of it with One day on the Causse Méjean and our article on the Przewalski's horses.
The rock city of Nîmes-le-Vieux on the Causse Méjean
© GerritR – CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (photo recadrée)
Mont Lozere summit and the Bondons standing stones
North of Florac, Mont Lozère offers wide open granite moorland. The Sommet de Finiels loop (9.7 km / 6 miles, about 3 hours, 295 m / 968 ft of ascent) starts from the Mont Lozère station and reaches the highest point in Lozère at 1,699 m (5,574 ft). The National Park advises never to set off in fog and to bring a windproof jacket, as the summit is often windy.
Closer to Florac, the Balade au pays des menhirs on the Cham des Bondons plateau is a very easy 5.4 km (3.4 miles) loop, about 2 hours, with 193 m (633 ft) of ascent. With nearly 200 known standing stones, it is one of the largest concentrations of menhirs in France. The first half has little shade. See also Standing stones and trout fishing near Florac and One day in Le Pont-de-Montvert.
Mont Lozère moorland from the Sommet de Finiels
© Ancalagon – CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (photo recadrée)
Tarn valley walks and the Stevenson Trail GR70
For a gentle riverside walk, the GR736 stage from Bédouès to Ispagnac follows the bends of the Tarn for 13.4 km (8.3 miles), about 3 h 30 with 228 m (748 ft) of ascent, rated easy, passing through Florac. It is a one-way route, so plan your return. You can also see the gorges from the water with Le Soulio canoe hire, which offers hotel guests a 10% discount. More ideas in One day in the Gorges du Tarn.
Florac is also a stop on the Stevenson Trail (GR70), which runs 272 km (169 miles) from Le Puy-en-Velay to Alès. The Le Pont-de-Montvert to Florac stage is the longest on the trail at 28.5 km (17.7 miles). Everything you need is in Hiking the Stevenson Trail from Florac. And for vultures and clifftop viewpoints, see our guide to hiking in the Jonte gorges.
Practical tips for hiking around Florac
When to go: spring and autumn are ideal for walking. In July and August, set off early: the Causses trails often have little shade. The Grand Hôtel du Parc welcomes guests from April to October.
Route information: the Maison du Tourisme et du Parc in Florac is the starting point for several loops. Official route sheets with GPX tracks are on the National Park's Destination Cévennes website and on the Gorges du Tarn, Causses et Cévennes tourist office website (mostly in French).
Maps: the IGN TOP 25 map 2739OT "Mont Lozère – Florac" covers most hikes in this guide; 2640OT covers the Tarn and Jonte gorges.
What to bring: sturdy shoes, plenty of water, a hat and a windproof layer. Mountain weather changes fast: check the forecast, stay on waymarked paths and close farm gates behind you.
Hiking in Florac FAQ
What is the easiest walk in Florac?
"Florac, une source dans la ville": a 2.3 km (1.4 mile) loop of about 1 h 30, very easy, starting in the town centre.
What is the best hike from Florac?
The Couronnes loop (14.3 km / 8.9 miles, about 6 hours, 854 m of ascent) has the finest views over Florac and Mont Lozère. It is rated difficult.
Can I hike from Florac without a car?
Yes. Florac une source dans la ville, Gralhon, the short Couronnes loop and the full Couronnes loop all start from the tourist office in Florac.
When is the best time to hike around Florac?
We recommend April to October, when the hotel is open. In midsummer, start early in the morning.
Stay at the Grand Hotel du Parc your hiking base in Florac
Run by the Gleize family since 1903, the 3-star Grand Hôtel du Parc is at 47 avenue Jean Monestier, Florac-Trois-Rivières. After a day on the trails, relax in our 8,000 m² park and unheated pool, open June to September. Parking is free, and a secure garage (keypad, camera) holds up to 20 bikes with e-bike charging: perfect if you mix hiking with cycling around Florac. Breakfast is served at the hotel. In the evening, look up with our stargazing guide, or plan another day out to Mont Aigoual.
Travelling with a hiking club or a group of 15 or more? Group meals can be arranged at the hotel on advance request, from April to October. Call +33 4 66 45 03 05 or email contact@grandhotelduparc.fr.
On the same subject
Opening Periods 2026
Hotel : Open from April 4 to October 31, 2026
Restaurant : Closed for the 2026 season
Pool : Open from June 3 to September 30, 2026