500 m750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m0 km20 km40 km60 km80 km100 km123456High point 1,453 m
Elevation profile: from 540 m to 1,452 m over 116.2 km.
The GR68 at a glance
The GR68 goes around Mont Lozère, the granite massif in the north of the Cévennes National Park. Waymarked as a loop from Villefort, it mainly crosses Lozère and touches, to the east, a few municipalities in the Gard around Génolhac. The National Park describes it from Villefort westwards, via the Altier valley, Cubières and Le Bleymard, then on to Les Bondons and Florac, before returning via the ridges of the Bougès and the hamlets on the Cévennes side.
The path follows old mule tracks and transhumance drove roads. It crosses moorland, granite boulder fields and stone hamlets, passes storm bell towers that once guided travellers caught in bad weather, and goes near the menhirs and puechs of Les Bondons. Mont Lozère is also a water tower, where the Tarn and the Lot rise.
This livestock-farming country lies within the Causses and Cévennes site, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its agropastoral landscapes. Summer transhumance is still practised here, and flocks of sheep, guarded by livestock guardian dogs, are part of the journey. On the Bougès ridge, a stele pays tribute to Raymond Senn, founder of the GR68 and waymarker.
Rated as moderately difficult by the National Park, the tour suits hikers used to stringing together several days in the mid-mountains. It crosses the GR70, the GR7, the GR72 and the Régordane route (GR700), which makes it possible to put together shorter loops.
Highlights
The granite boulder fields and moorland of Mont Lozère, a land of shepherds and transhumance.
The menhirs and puechs of Les Bondons, prehistoric and geological curiosities on the western side.
The storm bell towers, which guided shepherds and travellers lost in fog or snow.
Florac, headquarters of the Cévennes National Park and gateway to the Gorges du Tarn.
Villefort, its 14th-century Pont Saint-Jean and its station, at both the start and the finish.
Junctions with the GR70, the GR7 or the Régordane to devise your own loops.
Practical information
Start and finish
Villefort
Villefort has a station on the Clermont-Ferrand – Nîmes line, which also serves Génolhac, close to the route. Plan your journeys with the Occitanie region’s liO journey planner, stop “Gare de Villefort”.
When to go
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The FFRandonnée considers the route walkable all year round, but advises against it in snow or fog; on the summits, snow can linger until April. Accommodation generally opens from April to October.
Difficulty
Challenging
The National Park rates the loop as moderately difficult: no technical sections, but many passes, ridges exposed to fog and days in the mid-mountains that call for stamina.
Accommodation
5 gîtes, 1 unstaffed hut, 3 B&Bs and 4 hotels
Gîtes, B&Bs, hotels and campsites can be found in the stage villages and hamlets; the Des Cévennes au Mont Lozère tourist office lists them stage by stage in its multi-day walking brochure. They generally open from April to October. A luggage transfer service covers the whole GR68 from April to October.
Rules to know
The tour crosses the core zone of the Cévennes National Park. Bivouacking is permitted there for a single night, from 7 pm to 9 am, without a tent or in a light tent, no more than 50 m from a GR or GRP trail, except on the forbidden sections listed by the Park; fires are forbidden and dogs must be kept on a lead. Close fences and gates behind you.
Water and supplies
The tourist office recommends checking, well before setting off, where you can buy supplies, the drinking water points and whether your accommodation offers half board or a kitchen. The Park advises carrying enough water and following the waymarks on the ground, which may differ from the route in the topoguide.
The GR68 on the map
The 6 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 12 November 2026). All live updates →
Our advice
Check the opening dates of accommodation, generally April to October, and book before setting off.
Take the IGN TOP 25 map 2739 OT, recommended by the tourist office.
Check the weather forecast before each stage and avoid the ridges in fog.
Near a flock guarded by livestock guardian dogs, slow down, give it a wide berth and never threaten the dogs.
For a first taste, the “Aux sources du Tarn” loop combines the GR68 and the GR7 from Villefort.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Tour of Mont Lozère start?
The GR68 starts and finishes in Villefort, according to the Cévennes National Park. Like any loop, it can also be started elsewhere, for example in Florac, which is served by coach all year round.
Which direction should you walk the Tour of Mont Lozère?
No official source imposes a direction. The National Park’s route description goes from Villefort westwards, via the Altier valley, Cubières and Le Bleymard, then Les Bondons and Florac, before returning via the Cévennes side.
Can you bivouac on the GR68?
In the core zone of the Cévennes National Park, bivouacking is permitted for one night, from 7 pm to 9 am, without a tent or in a light tent, no more than 50 m from the path, except on certain sections where it is forbidden: their list and maps are published on the Park’s website. Fires are forbidden there.
Can you walk the GR68 with a dog?
Yes, provided you keep it on a lead in the core zone of the National Park, where this is compulsory, and check that your accommodation accepts dogs. A lead also avoids upsetting the flocks and their guardian dogs.
How do you get to Villefort without a car?
Villefort has a station on the Clermont-Ferrand – Nîmes line. The National Park refers you to the Occitanie region’s liO journey planner, with the stop “Gare de Villefort”.
What is the difference from the Stevenson Trail (GR70)?
The GR70 crosses Mont Lozère from north to south via the summit of Finiels (1,699 m), whereas the GR68 goes around it. The two paths cross at Le Bleymard, which makes it possible to combine them.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on 12 November 2026.
