Lozère is the perfect playground for lovers of outdoor sports, with 500 sites at their disposal to practice many disciplines. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, caving, archery, golf, climbing, gliding, white water sports… the possibilities are endless.
7000 marked kilometers for hikers
Lozère will make all walkers happy thanks to its 7000 kilometers of marked paths. To explore the landscapes of the department, the community has created a charter of good practices in natural areas, available on its internet. Sport, landscapes and history, it is possible to mix all the pleasures. Set off on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle which runs through Margeride and Aubrac, walk on the Chemin de Stevenson which crosses the east of the department, from Langogne to the Cévennes (the GR70 includes the route made by Robert L. Stevenson in 1878 with his donkey Modestine), discover the path of Saint-Guilhem which crosses the Causses and Aubrac, join the Tours of Sauveterre, Méjean or Aubrac, which allow the discovery of the most beautiful natural regions of Lozère… the possibilities are many. There are also more than 400 small marked hikes in the territory, with thematic outings organized from May to September throughout the department.
Mountain biking, king sport in Lozère
Family outings, cycle tourism and mountain biking, cycling is celebrated on the roads of Lozère. The opportunity to contemplate many landscapes, and to take multiple circuits and wild paths. Mountain bike enthusiasts will be able to enjoy magnificent views, while being careful on the steep slopes, the stony paths and the breathtaking descents. For the less adventurous and families, there are also many family walks, with easy routes to admire the landscapes along the Tarn, routes on Mount Lozère, on the old Roman roads, or even a long crossing of the Massif Central. Mountain biking is suitable for all levels, with 76 hikes available throughout the department. Three areas have been set up for free mountain biking with marked paths: the Gévaudan-Naussac mountain bike area (12 circuits, i.e. 232 km), the Mende-Coeur de Lozère area (15 circuits, i.e. 290 km) and the Monts mountain bike area. du Midi Tourisme (8 circuits, i.e. 206 km). In the Gorges du Tarn, 7 circuits of 45 to 75 km await the most adventurous.
Slacklining in the Gorges de la Jonte
At the beginning of July, thrill seekers meet at the Camp 4 Jonte festival for an exceptional event around the slackline. In an extraordinary and dizzying setting, the longest highline ever stretched in South Aveyron is set up for the occasion. You have to have a strong heart to cover the 630 meters in balance, on a strap 2.5 centimeters wide, stretched between the rock of Capluc and Peyreleau. Access is obviously reserved for the best practitioners, invited for this extraordinary event. In addition, the department of Lozère hosts in Florac the first approved site in France for pendulum jumping, operational since September 2021.
Focus on… the trail, in full development in the department
In recent months, the Lozère Departmental Council has decided to develop the trail activity, by creating several permanent routes in collaboration with the territories. In 2021, the community called on the service provider Yoomigo – a specialist in promoting the discipline on a national scale – to set up a website and a mobile application bringing together all the marked routes.
Creation of new trail spaces spread over large natural regions, routes of varying levels with a common starting point, timed challenges, everything has been designed to satisfy practitioners. From the steep paths of the Cévennes mountains to the wooded and flowery tracks of Margeride, from the paths crossing the beautiful pastures of Aubrac to the sporty ascents on Mount Lozère… Trail runners are spoiled for choice.
A month of June full of events
Many events take place in the area. In June, the Lozère Trail celebrates its 20th anniversary (June 4 and 5) in Chanac, in the heart of the department. The participants will cross the paths on the Causses, the Lot Valley and the Gorges du Tarn. Something to take your eyes off of (and warm your thighs)! This friendly trail offers four race formats for a dive into the heart of wild and authentic nature. In total, there are more than 200 kilometers of trails in the heart of a territory recognized as World Heritage by Unesco. With, as a bonus, local products (sheep’s and cow’s cheese) at the aid stations.
Also on the program, the Femina Run Lozère with a nature race of 7 kilometers 100% girls and a hike of 7 kilometers for all (June 11), the Trail in Aubrac with 8 races on 6 different routes (June 19) and the New Calade -Trail in the heart of the Cevennes chestnut grove (June 26). Before returning in July to the Zinzin Ultra-trail in the Cévennes National Park (July 2) and the historic and emblematic Marvejols-Mende half-marathon (July 24).
