La Vernarède: Mining Heritage and Hiking Trails

You can plan your visit to La Vernarède around two themes: the history of coal mining and hiking. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, these points of interest can help you match the destination to your interests. A Natura 2000 site and a listed altar add to the local context.

Mining History in La Vernarède

The Mines de Portes are a coal-mining complex in La Vernarède. They include a mine, an engineering works, and a railway line. The complex therefore encompasses more than the mine alone. Its components offer insight into different aspects of industrial history, from mining to the related technical infrastructure.

One specific example is the double self-acting incline at the Mines de Portes. It was built in 1858 and 1859 to transport coal from La Vernarède. The two years of construction and the stated purpose make coal transport a tangible part of the history of mining. This brings attention not only to extraction, but also to the transport of coal away from the mine.

Alongside the industrial heritage is a single religious object: the black marble altar of the Eglise Saint Jean de La Vernarède was listed as a historic monument on 5 June 2014. The material and exact date give this altar its own point of reference alongside the mining history. In this way, an industrial complex and a precisely dated monument complement one another in the context of the town, without belonging to the same chapter of its history.

Hiking Trails and Their Different Features

The Sentier des Gueules Noires starts in the village square of La Vernarède, is marked in yellow, and is 9.5 km long. No particular difficulties are noted for the trail. Along the way, it offers information about the history of coal mining, as well as panoramas. This route therefore combines hiking with a theme that also defines the Mines de Portes complex. The starting point, trail markings, and length provide concrete details; the information about coal-mining history and the panoramas describe other features of the trail.

The Le long du Luech et de l'Homol circular hike also passes through La Vernarède. It is described as a moderately difficult route, 53.1 km long, with a duration of four hours. Some sections run at higher elevations with panoramic views and pass through the valleys of the Luech and the Homol. The two trails have different details to compare: for the Sentier des Gueules Noires, the village square, trail markings, and coal-mining history are specified; for Le long du Luech et de l'Homol, the length, difficulty level, duration, and two valleys are highlighted. Before setting out, check the latest route information and trail conditions, particularly the section through La Vernarède.

Landscape and Protected Area

According to the consolidated version of the designation order available on 16 July 2024, part of La Vernarède lies within the Hautes Vallées de la Cèze et du Luech Natura 2000 site. This is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with the identifier FR 9101364. The information applies to part of the municipality, not to the entire town as a whole. Together with the valleys traversed by Le long du Luech et de l'Homol, the protected area is another geographical point of reference if you are interested in the landscape around La Vernarède.

Planning Your Journey

La Vernarède can be reached by road on the CD 906 from Alès towards Génolhac and Villefort, or by train via Chamborigaud station. If you plan to arrive by train, check the timetable for Chamborigaud station in advance. This lets you factor the journey into your plans and connect your choice of hotel in La Vernarède with your interests in mining history, heritage, and hiking trails.

Discover more destinations: Molières-Sur-Cèze, Saint-Julien-De-Peyrolas, Bourdic, Tornac, Montfrin, Bagard, Aspères, Saint-Maximin.

View the broader travel guide: Gard.