Gorges du Tarn

Access
Le Gorges du Tarn are located in the south of France in the Languedoc region north of Montpellier and 20 km from Millau. The expensive viaduct which connects Millau to Montpellier is a masterpiece of engineering: seven pillars and thin cables sustain the 2.5km long road. If you want to avoid paying the expensive toll fee, take the old state road from La Cavaliere. Logistics
At the weekends the area is highly popular with canoeists and there are consequently plenty of campsites and gites, of which we recommend Gitè d’etape Les Fleurines, located above Le Vignes just a few minutes away from the crag (tel.0033 0466488101).Campistes at La Malene and Le Vignes. For further information check out the local tourist office online (www.ot-gorgesdutarn.com). Period
Spring and autumn Climb
Worked smooth over the centuries by the elements, the limestone changes considerably from one sector to the next and consequently the style of climbing is extremely varied, from short explosive boulder problems to long stamina plods and highly technical outings. There is something for everyone here but the common denominator is "engagement", commitment for the run-outs: reaching the belays is no mean task (remember to always take an additional quickdraw or locking carabiner as the belays aren't equipped with an abseil carabiner).Although the routes range from 5a - 8c, this is no easy crag and the majority of the most routes tend to be fairly difficult.The crags can be reached easily on foot. Park the car in the car parks or the small lay-bys and follow the tracks on the left 1. Fontaneilles, this is the first crag after Millau as you enter the Tarn valley. 2. Rocher de la Muse, ideal for rainy days 3. Le Gymnaze, 5 sectors. From here onwards you are in the heart of the Gorges du Tarn. 4. Les Baumes Basses 5. Le Cirque des Baumes, the first crag to get the shade 6. L’Entre Deux, this offers numerous easy and great climbs, apart from the Güllich sector 7. Les Baumes Hautes, 5 sectors ideal for climbing in the early morning or late afternoon. The Oasif sector offers fantastic pumpy stamina climbs with long run/outs to reach the belay. Notes
ACCIDENT PREVENTION AT THE GORGES DU TARN
In 2015, four serious accidents required emergency rescue in the Gorges du Tarn. In each case the alpinist or climber fell several meters due to the rope being too short and without knot tied in the end. Several other minor falls were reported to have occurred due to the same reason. In recent years several accidents, some fatal, have also taken place in other climbing areas.
In the Gorges du Tarn the climbs are sometimes long. We recommend you do the following:
- know the rope you are climbing with and its exact length;
- check the guidebook carefully as this includes the necessary rope length;
- and always tie a knot in the end of the rope, regardless of the length of the route and your rope.
Bibliography
Le Tarn. Buy the local guidebook to help contribute to the development of this valley. The guidebook is indispensible to find your way through the valley, as only some of the routes have names written on the base. The guidebook can be bought in pratically all the local shops or online at www.topo-tarn-jonte-dourbie.info