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In Lozère, four family resorts where cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are kings

2023-01-26T14:39:19.505Z


Lozère offers varied and wild landscapes during the winter season. Its resorts, uncrowded and authentic, have many routes to discover by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.


It's not the first destination that comes to mind when looking for a cross-country skiing destination and yet: Nordic skiing offers a superb experience in Lozère, south of the Massif Central, just 1h30 from Montpellier and Nîmes.

Nestled between 4 natural regions (Aubrac, Margeride, Grandes Causses and Cévennes), this mid-mountain department has varied terrain accessible to all.

Ideal to do with the family.

To discover

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The most athletic will also find their account.

From the extensive plateaus of Aubrac to Mont Lozère, its highest point reaches 1702 meters, and, in total, the territory has 7 ski resorts geared towards Nordic activities.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the stars!

Read alsoCross-country skiing: our 10 favorite resorts in France

But the strength of Lozère remains its tranquility.

We enjoy without stress and without the crowds of the great alpine massifs of its wild and preserved landscapes.

Another important asset: the resorts charge affordable prices (about 8 euros for a daily pass).

A selection of our white paradises.

Aubrac South-Lozere resort

The plateau offers beautiful snowy and family perspectives.

Aubrac South Lozère Facebook account

In any season, Aubrac has something mystical.

The lights are magical, whether the sky is overcast or clear.

Perched between 1300 and 1500m, the Aubracois plateau is accessible thanks to a moderate drop.

The Col de Bonnecombe

resort

offers various activities that will appeal to the whole family: two snowshoe circuits, three cross-country ski trails, two Nordic routes and a tobogganing area.

The cross-country ski trail.

The red “Baronte”.

A 6.9 km loop in the snow-covered pine forests.

This route has gentle slopes.

It takes about an hour and a half.

The mileage is regularly indicated and it is possible to branch off on the black run (8.9 km) halfway, to prolong the pleasure.

A soothing and contemplative walk in the heart of a grandiose and wild estate.

The snowshoe walk.

The Lou Galabert circuit.

It takes an hour and a half to complete this 4km course.

Most of it is done under cover, in a forest that looks like a fairy tale.

Sometimes you have to bend down to avoid branches that bend under the weight of the snow or step over the Pesquio stream.

The hike ends shortly after the Saltou waterfall frozen by winter.

Also to do.

Behind the station is a loop of 400m to learn Nordic skiing.

There is also a tobogganing area with a short but very steep slope.

The area also includes a snowkiting area for adrenaline junkies.

It is the ideal spot to swallow kilometers under the force of the wind.

Prices from €5.

Bleymard-Mont Lozère resort

At the top, the fir trees give way to vast expanses of desert reminiscent of the peaks of the Alps.

Florent Schneider

7 km from the village of

Bleymard

, towards

Finiels

, Mount Lozère is the highest point of the Cévennes and the department (1702 m).

The relief is more pronounced there.

The station is located at the

Col de Finiels

(1541m).

Normally, the ski area has 5 ski lifts for 7 alpine ski slopes.

At the top, the fir trees give way to vast expanses of desert reminiscent of the peaks of the Alps.

You can see them on a clear day!

We then enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cévennes all around with the Ardèche mountains in the distance.

The ski area includes five Nordic ski slopes, two snowshoe circuits and a toboggan run.

Something to satisfy lovers of altitude in a corner of nature and wide open spaces.

Beware of the sometimes freezing wind at the top!

The cross-country ski trail.

La Gresillere.

Go for a 5.4 km loop.

The wide, wooded trails have a few climbs that get the cardio up at the end of the course.

The path contains some technical passages but still accessible.

The route offers gaps that allow you to catch your breath and admire the surroundings.

If the weather is nice, you can see the summit of Finiels, the Causses and the Alps.

The snowshoe walk.

The Red one.

A 5 km circuit which offers a range of characteristic landscapes of Mont Lozère.

At the start, the route takes a wide path with a breathtaking panorama of the Cévennes and the Alps.

The walk continues on the edge of the forest with the

summit of Finiels

in sight.

This part is subject to the winds.

Windbreaker and warm clothes are essential.

The end of the loop allows you to warm up on a relatively flat and sheltered route under the pines.

See also.

For the bursts of laughter and the adrenaline of the little ones, a toboggan run is open near the station.

On your way back to Le Bleymard, take the time to observe the incessant ballet of snowkites below the road.

Relaxing and mesmerizing.

Prices from €7.

Read alsoSkating or alternative?

What you might not know about cross-country skiing

Station Alti Aigoual

When conditions permit, the resort has 12 ski lifts for 14 alpine ski slopes.

Florent Schneider

The station is located in the south of the department on the border with the Gard.

The summit of

Mont Aigoual

culminates at 1565 m, which places it in second position among the highest mountains of Lozère, behind the Pic de Finiels.

A weather station is perched at the top of the massif, proof of the capricious climate that reigns there.

This last bastion of the Massif Central before joining the South is only 1h30 from Nîmes and Montpellier.

The Alti Aigoual ski area is located at the

Col de Prat-Peyrot

, at an altitude of 1440 m.

It is one of the most important in the department with 60 km of Nordic tracks and 10 km of trails.

When conditions permit, the resort has 12 ski lifts for 14 alpine ski slopes.

The cross-country ski trail.

La Caumette - We fell in love with one of the two green routes offered by the resort.

This 5km track crosses the beautiful forest of snow-covered beech trees, typical of Mont Aigoual.

To do with the family up to the pass which culminates at an altitude of 1455 m.

The snowshoe walk.

La Sapiniere.

8km in the heart of the Cévennes from the Col de Prat-Peyrot.

It is a physical route that remains accessible.

The route winds its way through the forests and offers sublime panoramas.

Take a break halfway to admire the Massif Central which pours its last reliefs into the Hérault valley.

See also.

The toboggan run, the best place to delight young and old alike!

For the curious, you can also book a snow groomer ride followed by a fondue at the foot of the slopes.

Prices, the snowshoe circuits are accessible free of charge.

It costs €9 for an adult Nordic ski pass for the day.

Nordic resort of Laubert-Plateau du Roy

In total, the Laubert-Plateau du Roy resort offers 6 cross-country ski trails for a total of 26 km.

Julian Suau / Lozere Tourism

Reconnect with the authenticity of

Margeride

.

Often overlooked, the massif is located in the northeast of the department, between Lozère, Cantal and Haute-Loire.

The

Truc de Fortunio

is the highest point (1552 m).

It offers a spectacular view of

Lac de Charpal,

completely frozen when winter sets in.

The Laubert-Plateau du Roy resort has the particularity of being divided into two: one part in Laubert (1200m) to the south and the other part on the plateau du Roy (1393m) to the north, by the lake.

In total, 6 cross-country ski trails for a total of 26 km.

Two marked circuits of 1.5 km or 4.5 km for snowshoes.

The cross-country ski trail.

Lake.

This black run can be technical and physical.

But for the pleasure of the eyes, it's worth sweating a bit.

The start of the course is at the Roy plateau.

The route goes down to the Lac de Charpal and offers a moment of serenity and a change of scenery.

Take a pass for Lozère Siberia with these 9.1 km of track.

The snowshoe walk.

The Charpal.

More accessible and just as exotic, you can walk along the lake by following this snowshoe route.

The pace of the walk allows you to fully immerse yourself in this grandiose environmental site.

Opt for the classic 6.5 km route.

For snow lovers, take the variant for a total of 7.5 km.

See also.

Summer and winter alike, the tour of Lac de Charpal (9km) has been laid out to the delight of hikers.

The anecdote: it is the largest "no-kill" lake in France (that is to say that the fish caught must be returned to the water).

Prices from €7.70.

This article is being updated.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-01-26

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