Hiking in Uzège for Gourmands
Fact File:
-
A self-guided, moderate, 3-day walking break.
-
Tour starts in Uzes and finishes near the Pont du Gard.
-
Four nights in superior accommodation, with arrivals any day all year round.
Please click through the following points or scroll down the page. Alternatively, click the flyer image below to download and read the tour in pdf format.
a) Theme
b) Photos and Location
c) Model hiking tour: Pont du Gard
d) Access
e) Accommodation
f) What's Included
g) Prices
a) Theme
Pont du Gard walking is a tale of two gorges, taking you from the Gorge d'Alzon to the Gardon Gorge, and culminating in a hike around arguably France’s greatest ancient monument -the Pont du Gard.
Pont du Gard walking starts in Uzès, the First Duchy of France and capital of the enigmatic region of Uzège. You hike Gard Provençal, home of The Gardon River, the best weather in France, varied countryside, a rich historical heritage and fine, understated regional wines. You stay in superior accommodation with gourmet restaurants either on site or a short stroll away.
The 'gourmand' within you will enjoy oscillating between the fascinating uplands of the Mediterranean Garrigues and the feature-filled banks of the Alzon and Gardon rivers. 
It’s light but invigorating hiking, with an abundance of avifauna, Mediterranean flora and local history and culture to get your teeth into. The Gardon has carved out a host of interesting features for you to savour en route, as it plays its game of ‘now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t’ along its ‘water’ course; disappearing underground only to appear further downstream as if to signal its supremacy.
You will witness limestone topography that is the stuff of classic geography field trips, as you are constantly reminded just how wild this river has been throughout its history – and why The State chose not to call the department ‘Gardon.’ The first day’s walking is designed to whet the appetite; the second is an adventure and the third encapsulates that creative tension between man and nature that gives birth to classic architecture. You approach The Pont du Gard from an angle that most never see, and various vantage points will deliver views that remain as lasting memories.
The precise route you walk along the Gardon will vary according to the season and the corresponding water levels in the Gorge. Nevertheless, whatever time of year you hike the tour, you will see all the highlights including, of course, the Pont du Gard itself. Moreover, if you time your arrival for a Friday, you can take in the Uzès Saturday market, arguably Province's best, before your first walk on Sunday - an extra night in Uzès may be required?
b) Further Information
c) Model Tour: Pont du Gard walking
Day 1: Arrival in Uzès.
Check in and get to know your fine location for the next two nights.
Day 2: Gorge d'Alzon. 5.5 miles - 8.5 kms.Enjoy a bucolic hike around the Uzès hinterland in search of the source of the waters that fed the Pont du Gard and supplied Roman Nimes with water.
Second night in Uzès.
Day 3: Russan To Collias. 13 miles-20 kms.
Collection from Uzès and transfer to the start of the Gorge. Wend your way above the gorge towards the magnificent Pont St Nicolas. Then discover a lost chapel and explore a memorable grotto with that head-lamp that you never thought you'd get to use. If the water-level is kind, you then sample a section of the valley bottom itself. Sacré balade!
Day 4: Collias to Pont du Gard & beyond. 7.5 miles-11 kms.
Grande finalés don't come much grander than this - 49 ms in height and 275 m (300 yards) long. You have earned the right to walk its sacred stones and then follow a fascinating trail that unravels a few more of the mysteries that surround this marvel of architecture, human ingenuity and science. Night near Pont du Gard.
Day 5: End of your Pont du Gard walking tour.
Breakfast and onward journey. Bon voyage et a Bientôt!
d) Access 
Your hiking tour starts in Uzès and finishes near Pont du Gard.
Best access is via Avignon or Nimes.
e) Accommodation - Pont du Gard walking.
The accommodation for this tour is of superior standard, with 3-star hotels or equivalent chambres-d'hotes du charme.
You stay:
• Two nights in Uzès
• One night in Collias
• One night near Pont du Gard
Uzès boasts an abundance of fine restaurants and the hotels used in Collias and near Pont du Gard have gourmet restaurants.
Note: this walking holiday is available all year round. Precise accommodation may vary according to season, but will be of the same high standard.
f) What's included in Pont du Gard walking
Included
-
4 nights B & B in superior accommodation;
- Luggage transfers and all transport integral to the programme;
-
Cell-phone loan for non-Europeans if required, subject to availability
-
Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
-
1:25,000 scale maps & themed vacation dossier
-
Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup.
Not included
-
Remaining meals - packed lunches can be purchased en route and dinners bought according to budet and taste - information is provided in your dossier;
-
Personal expenses;
-
Travel, walking and personal insurance;
-
Single rooms – unless booking at single person rate.
Prices 2010: Pont du Gard
Price per person based on 2 persons sharing £485.00 or €535.00
room
Single person rate On Request