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Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

Caves

Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

Highlight • Structure

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

Name: Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean
Rating: 2

Recommended by 2 mountain bikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc national des Cévennes (aire d'adhésion)

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Location: Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle, Alès, Occitania, France

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Best Mountain Biking Routes to Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

5.0

(3)

riders

1. Between the walls loop from Les Ayres

42.6km

03:36

880m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

3.5

(2)

riders

2. Laval Pradel Mine – Between the walls loop from Le Fauconnier

42.1km

04:00

970m

Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

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3. Between the walls loop from Cité de l'Aubradou

17.9km

01:54

550m

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Moderate

Tips

Rainer

June 11, 2025

Anyone hiking through the hilly landscape around Saint-Jean and Saint-Florent today encounters silent traces of a rich past. Even before coal was mined here, iron was the most important commodity – since ancient times and especially in the Middle Ages.

The medieval mines were simple and dangerous. Without ventilation and with shallow tunnels, they followed the iron-rich pyrite veins – often no more than 100 meters long. As early as 1512, a prospector's license cost a whopping 32 florins. The mined ore was further processed locally: From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the valley was known for its nailsmiths – in 1676 alone, up to 45 masters worked here.

Nature also tells its story: The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), typical of the garrigue, bears flowers and ripe fruit simultaneously. The rare Jason butterfly (Charaxes jasius), Europe's largest butterfly, lives in its environment and is clearly visible from June to September.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 270 m

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Today

Friday 21 November

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Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle, Alès, Occitania, France

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Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

1. Between the walls loop from Les Ayres

2. Laval Pradel Mine – Between the walls loop from Le Fauconnier

3. Between the walls loop from Cité de l'Aubradou

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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