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

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France

Occitania

Alès

Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

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Places to see

France

Occitania

Alès

Saint-Jean-De-Valériscle

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

Recommended by 2 mountain bikers

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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

3.5

(2)

riders

1. Laval Pradel Mine – River loop from Le Fauconnier

42.8km

04:05

1,000m

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

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2. Mountainbike loop from Cité de l'Aubradou

17.0km

01:43

460m

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

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Intermediate

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3. Between the walls – Poppy Fields loop from Saint-Julien-de-Cassagnas

27.5km

02:17

440m

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

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Intermediate

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

Weather

Today

Monday 15 September

29°C

14°C

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Max wind speed: 2.0 km/h

See rides here

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

Balmes Iron Mines near Saint-Jean

1. Laval Pradel Mine – River loop from Le Fauconnier

2. Mountainbike loop from Cité de l'Aubradou

3. Between the walls – Poppy Fields loop from Saint-Julien-de-Cassagnas

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