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Interpretive path of the Naves Cirques
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Description
This beautiful hike takes you on the interpretive path of Naves, a typical village, to discover landscapes and the link between geological and human history.
From the cemetery parking lot, the path starts on the right and climbs towards the Serre du Cocu (cuckold ridge) where a first stop will allow you to enjoy the Naves Cirques, and where you will find the first interpretive board about Jurassic limestone and marl. Continue on the path up to the reservoir above the cemetery. A new board is waiting for you.
Continue on the path along the side of the Serre du Cocu. (new board on the Serre de Barre) up to a pass from which the view on the Chassezac Valley is stunning.
At the crossways, turn right up to the Alauzas road where you will find stops 5 and 6, presenting the Orcières Fault and a stratigraphic cross-section.
Follow the tarmacked road on your left up to the hamlet. On your way, admire the gorgeous chesnut grove (stop 7).
At the hamlet, take the path on your left. Carry on straight ahead. Stop 8 is about terraces and water management on the slope. The path goes downhill towards Naves, first through a chesnut grove, then in a coniferous undergrowth. Lower, those plants give way to maquis (stop 9). After stop 10, devoted to karst, the path goes out of the woods onto an overhang above the Bourdaric Brook (be very cautious!). Continue leisurely your way down towards Naves (stop 11), while enjoying the sights on the village and Southern Ardèche.
Take some time to tour Naves, a pleasant typical village with authentic narrow streets, then take the tarmacked road again down to the cemetery parking lot, your starting point.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Departure
In front of the cemetery, take the path going uphill on the right, with a Geo totem pole. Markings : PR (short-distance path)
Ambiance
Along a route rich in amazing viewpoints and panoramas, the path of the Naves Cirques will enable you to discover gorgeous, unspoilt landscapes, between the Cévennes slopes and mediterranean maquis. This loop crosses a calcareous zone compiling 18 million years of the Earth history, and brings you close to the Massif Central's metamorphic areas, 500 million years old. These two sets have exceptionally been brought into contact by a geological fault: the Orcières Fault. All this geological history, with its consequences on buildings, fauna, flora and agriculture, will be explained through 11 stopping places with interpretive boards to combine a pleasant hike and recreational learning.
Access
Naves
Advised parking
Au cimetière, Naves
Advice
Le feu est interdit. Pas de points d'eau sur l'itinéraire. Attention, soyez bien chaussés car le sentier, globalement facile, présente quelques passages étroits et techniques.
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