With a wealth of climbing routes to its name, Lozère is a paradise for both novice and experienced climbers.
The Vertical Adventure
Cows and bottles aren’t always what you might think; climbing has its own jargon. Choosing the right position, finding the ideal hold, reaching it and keeping your balance… climbing is a sport that develops both physical and mental abilities, whilst balancing on rocks.
Lozère is built into the rock, a material that is omnipresent and highly visible throughout the region. The department’s unique and extraordinary landscapes are carved out of this rock. The playground on offer to climbers is, therefore, virtually limitless. All this is set within a preserved natural environment of unrivalled quality. There are a great many sites and routes to explore. Some are well-known and have even gained international renown: the Gorges du Tarn, the Gorges de la Jonte, the Gorges du Chassezac and the Gorges de la Truyère, to name but a few of the most significant.
Rock climbing in the Gorges du Tarn
The Cirque des Baumes is situated on the slope of the Causse de Sauveterre, between La Malène and Les Vignes. It brings together some of the most spectacular sites in the Gorges du Tarn, such as the ‘détroits’, where the river flows between vertical cliffs before opening out further on to reveal the famous Cirque des Baumes stretching out at your feet. This world-renowned climbing site features nearly 750 equipped routes.
- Number of tracks: 750
- Height: 10 to 100 m, grades 4 to 8c+; others still to be climbed (9z) – call to all enthusiasts!
- Climbing styles: vertical, sloping, overhanging
- Rock: limestone
- Facing: south
- Access: Easy from the road, via footpaths
Some climbing areas to explore in the Gorges du Tarn: Fontaneilles, Rocher de la Muse, Baumes basses, L’entre deux, Baumes hautes…
Rock climbing in the Gorges de la Jonte
The Rozier site is renowned for its limestone towers and… the vultures that accompany you on your climb. The setting is exceptional, and the site offers a wide variety of routes suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced climbers. At the foot of the Causses, once you reach the village, you’ll find yourself in a climbing spot with around 340 routes, overlooking the Gorges du Tarn and the Gorges de la Dourbie.
- Number of tracks: 340
- Height: 10 to 140 m, grades 4 to 8b+, with some routes in adventure terrain.
- Climbing styles: vertical
- Rock: limestone
- Directions: south-west, south, south-east and east
- Access: a 20- to 40-minute approach walk involving a steep climb
Some climbing areas to explore in the Gorges de la Jonte: the Cathédrale, l’Aire aux Oiseaux, the Cirque des Vases, Arcadie (closed from 1 January to 30 June), la Roche Décollée, le Bitard and la Diagonale
Climbing in the Chassezac Gorges
The Chassezac Gorges offer an exceptional wild setting for those who love climbing in natural surroundings, with some of the most beautiful views in the area. Located near the village of La Garde-Guérin, the site offers nearly 150 routes across three main sectors. If you’re feeling the heat, the gorges offer a chance to cool off with a spot of canyoning – accompanied by a professional, of course.
- Number of tracks: 142
- Height: 10 to 100 m, grades 4 to 8a; some routes are in adventure terrain.
- Climbing styles: vertical, dihedral, slab, overhang
- Rock: granite
- Facing: south, east, north-east, north
- Access: Approach walk of between 5 and 40 minutes downhill; the base of the routes is uneven
- Miscellaneous: it is forbidden to install new routes there
Some routes to explore in the Chassezac Gorges: the Le Poutalas sector, the Jardin du Jouqueirou, the Rochers de la Garde Guérin, the Aiguille de la Brèche Ventée…
Climbing in the Gorges de la Haute
The Truyère flows through this area in an exceptional setting: a steep-sided granite valley 150 metres deep. Set against a backdrop of rugged wilderness and lush green forest, the mountainous landscapes rise up in all their grandeur, as if inviting you to go climbing. You are right in the heart of the Gévaudan Park and its many legends, with a breathtaking view of the ‘Pearl of the Valley’, Malzieu. A via ferrata runs alongside the climbing routes.
- Number of routes: 63, ranging from 4 to 7b
- Height: 20 to 75 m
- Climbing styles: vertical Rock type: granite
- Facing: south-west
- Access: north-north-west of Malzieu (2 km), at a place known as “la Porte des Fées”. Parking is available at the top of the village of Verdezun; access to the site is from the top.
- Miscellaneous: adventurers – there’s a zip line across the valley (enquiries at the Malzieu tourist office)
A few routes to explore in the Truyère Gorges or the surrounding area: Paracol, Bussière, Le Saut du Chien, Bez Beden, Cubelles haut, Le bout du monde, Saint-Just (Recoux Calvary)…
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Thematics