Natures Beauty at Georges du Gardon
The gorge "Gorges du Gardon" is really quite a nature experience if you have no problems with somewhat unpaved hiking trails. The UNESCO is in Paris and has a considerable number of French employees and so it is of course no wonder that this region has also been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
Beware: the hiking trails are long and the park fees will make even the most hard-core pale. But the parking lots have camera surveillance, which provides a certain reassurance during the hike.
The hiking route leads through the 30 km, 18,5 mls, long gorge, the "Georges". This valley was washed into limestone rocks by a raging river six million years ago. The hiking trail starts at the small village of Dions to the west and is ending at the "Pont du Gard" (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the east. These trails are a good distance even for my Rottweilers to get exhausted. However, dog owners should carry a serum for at least the Aesculapian snake if their dog has a hunting instinct.
In addition to the breathtaking scenery, it is also the habitat for a diverse flora and fauna. You can see the fish in the water and there are many of them. And then, of course, it's France, you can find the "frog-hunters" everywhere. These reptiles are allegedly delicious... Just please think about barbecues and other silly games with fire! It is so highly dangerous during the dry summer from June till September. Although most of this relatively easy to walk trail runs along the river, the Gardon, the undergrowth is very dry in summer. But than this undergrowth is important habitat for insects.
Near Collias, where the rivers Alzon and Gardon meet, there are endless hiking, mountain biking and even climbing and horseback riding trails. You can actually climb steep rocks but than also ride long distances with you bike.
Beware: the hiking trails are long and the park fees will make even the most hard-core pale. But the parking lots have camera surveillance, which provides a certain reassurance during the hike.
The hiking route leads through the 30 km, 18,5 mls, long gorge, the "Georges". This valley was washed into limestone rocks by a raging river six million years ago. The hiking trail starts at the small village of Dions to the west and is ending at the "Pont du Gard" (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the east. These trails are a good distance even for my Rottweilers to get exhausted. However, dog owners should carry a serum for at least the Aesculapian snake if their dog has a hunting instinct.
In addition to the breathtaking scenery, it is also the habitat for a diverse flora and fauna. You can see the fish in the water and there are many of them. And then, of course, it's France, you can find the "frog-hunters" everywhere. These reptiles are allegedly delicious... Just please think about barbecues and other silly games with fire! It is so highly dangerous during the dry summer from June till September. Although most of this relatively easy to walk trail runs along the river, the Gardon, the undergrowth is very dry in summer. But than this undergrowth is important habitat for insects.
Near Collias, where the rivers Alzon and Gardon meet, there are endless hiking, mountain biking and even climbing and horseback riding trails. You can actually climb steep rocks but than also ride long distances with you bike.