From the foot of Mont Lozère to the Episcopal City of Albi, the GR736 follows the Tarn through the Cévennes, its gorges, the Grands Causses and the Ségala.
285 km 177.1 mi14 stages7,350 m 24,114 ft ascentHigh point 1,451 m 4,760 ftVillefort → Saint-Juéry
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Elevation profile: from 178 m to 1,449 m over 285.2 km.
The GR736 at a glance
The GR736 “Gorges et Vallée du Tarn” follows the river from Mont Lozère to Albi. Its route was coordinated by the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park and the Occitanie FFRandonnée committee, together with those of Lozère, Aveyron and Tarn. It starts in Villefort, at the foot of Mont Lozère: a link path using other GRs climbs to the Mas de la Barque, then the trail crosses the state forest and high-altitude grassland, passes Bellecoste and Mas Camargues and crosses the young Tarn, not far from its source, before descending to Le Pont-de-Montvert.
The path then crosses Lozère, Aveyron and Tarn, as well as two parks: the Cévennes National Park and the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park. After Florac and Ispagnac, it enters the Tarn gorges, a listed site, via Sainte-Enimie, La Malène, Les Vignes and Le Rozier. It reaches Millau, its viaduct and the Gallo-Roman site of La Graufesenque, runs along the escarpments of the Raspes, passes Brousse-le-Château and then through the Ségala, reaches the Ambialet meander and the Saut du Tarn at Saint-Juéry, and ends at the Pont-Vieux in Albi.
The route alternates between riverbanks and stretches on the heights, easy paths and steeper climbs, especially at the start on Mont Lozère and towards plateaus such as the Larzac. It links two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Causses and the Cévennes on one side and the Episcopal City of Albi on the other. Some sections can also be done by canoe, mountain bike or on horseback.
Highlights
Crossing the young Tarn on Mont Lozère, near Mas Camargues, not far from its source.
Walking down the Tarn gorges, a listed site, from Sainte-Enimie to La Malène and Le Rozier.
Discovering Millau, its viaduct and the Gallo-Roman site of La Graufesenque.
Following the escarpments of the Raspes du Tarn to Brousse-le-Château.
Passing the Ambialet meander before arriving at the Pont-Vieux in Albi, a UNESCO-listed episcopal city.
Handing your luggage to a transport service that covers the whole route.
Practical information
Start
Villefort
Villefort has an SNCF station, about one kilometer from the start of the trail. A waymarked link path then connects the town to the Mas de la Barque, on Mont Lozère.
Finish
Saint-Juéry
Albi has an SNCF station. Along the way, Millau station and the liO network coaches let you start or stop the walk partway through.
When to go
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The route can be walked all year round, but the De l’Aubrac aux Gorges du Tarn tourist office recommends April to October. In winter, it is colder along the Tarn and finding somewhere to stay becomes difficult; the Tarn gorges shuttles only run in July and August.
Difficulty
Challenging
The terrain stays moderate over most of the route, but the start on Mont Lozère, the climbs to plateaus such as the Larzac and a few long stages, rated very difficult by the Grands Causses Park, call for good stamina.
Accommodation
5 gîtes, 2 unstaffed huts, 17 B&Bs, and 44 hotels
Plenty of accommodation lines the GR736, especially in the Tarn gorges; in winter, it becomes scarcer. La Malle Postale, a partner of the FFRandonnée, transports luggage and walkers along the whole route.
Rules to know
In the core zone of the Cévennes National Park, fires are forbidden, dogs must be kept on a leash and camping is forbidden outside designated areas; non-motorised walkers may bivouac for a single night near the GR they are following, between 7 pm and 9 am, except in certain sensitive areas. Bivouacking is forbidden in listed sites, including the Tarn gorges.
Water and supplies
The small villages along the route let you stock up at every stage. The Mont Lozère section, between Villefort and Le Pont-de-Montvert, is the most mountainous: the path rises above 1,400 m there, through forest and then over open grassland, before dropping back down to the valley.
A few sections (1.9 km in total) are not yet mapped end to end in OpenStreetMap: they are drawn as straight lines on our maps and in the GPX. Follow the waymarks on the ground.
The GR736 on the map
The 14 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
No current alerts for this GR (checked on November 12, 2026). All live updates →
Our advice
Before setting off, check the stage sheets from the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park: in November 2026, a rockfall closed the path between Framondié and La Rivaldié, between Brousse-le-Château and Trébas, with a diversion via the D200.
For a first taste, choose the section from Florac to Le Rozier, on the left bank of the gorges, which the FFRandonnée suggests over three to five days.
In July and August, use the Tarn gorges summer shuttles to get back to your starting point; out of season, plan on a taxi.
Out of season, book your nights in advance, as the choice of accommodation shrinks considerably in winter.
Take the FFRandonnée “Gorges et Vallée du Tarn” topoguide, which the official route sheets refer to for details of the route.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the GR736 start and finish?
The GR736 starts in Villefort, in Lozère, whose station is about one kilometer from the start. A waymarked link path climbs to the Mas de la Barque, then the trail crosses the young Tarn near Mas Camargues, not far from its source. It ends in Albi, at the Pont-Vieux, in the heart of the episcopal city. This site’s route, taken from OpenStreetMap, stops at Saint-Juéry, about 6 km from the Pont-Vieux: the last section is not yet mapped there as a GR.
Can you walk just the Tarn gorges?
Yes. The FFRandonnée suggests the section from Florac to Le Rozier, on the left bank of the Tarn, in three stages via Sainte-Enimie and La Malène (FFRandonnée, 2023). The route is easy, with moderate ascents, and every stage has villages where you can stock up.
How do you get to the GR736 by train?
Three stations lie along the route: Villefort at the start, Millau along the way and Albi at the finish. liO coaches also serve the valley, and summer shuttles run in the Tarn gorges in July and August.
Can you bivouac on the GR736?
In the core zone of the Cévennes National Park, bivouacking is allowed for a single night, near the GR you are following, between 7 pm and 9 am, except in certain sensitive areas. It is forbidden in listed sites such as the Tarn gorges. The simplest option is to sleep in accommodation or at a campground.
Can you have your luggage transported on the GR736?
Yes. La Malle Postale, a partner of the FFRandonnée, transports luggage and walkers all along the GR736. The service is booked directly with the company.
When is the best time to walk the GR736?
The GR736 can be walked all year round, but the De l’Aubrac aux Gorges du Tarn tourist office recommends the period from April to October. In winter, it is colder along the Tarn and open accommodation becomes scarce.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 12, 2026.
