Presentation
Le Vigan - Col du Minier - L'Espérou - Mont Aigoual - L'Espérou - Valleraugue - Le Vigan
The climb to the summit of Mont Aigoual via the Col du Minier (D48) is gentle and steady, presenting no particular difficulties. A short break after the Col du Minier even allows you to pick up the pace again to L'Espérou and begin the ascent towards the Col de la Serreyrède and the Mont Aigoual observatory, which stands at 1567 m. From up there, straddling the Gard and Aveyron departments, on a clear day you can see a quarter of France, from the Alps to the Pyrenees (always bring warm clothing when climbing Mont Aigoual). Refreshments are available there for part of the year.
The return journey, after crossing L'Espérou, will begin with a descent through the hairpin bends leading to Valleraugue. Then you will follow the Hérault river on a gentle downhill slope to Pont d'Hérault before rejoining the D999 to Le Vigan.
Electric bike charging station in the observatory parking lot (bring your own cable).
