Lagorce walks

Leaving from the centre of the small village of Lagorce (Ardèche), we set off along the usual roads to the entrance to Vallon Pont d'Arc. The return journey is a pleasant one, through the countryside of the Ardèche, on a small road with no (or almost no) vehicles, along farm tracks, stony or slightly rocky, to arrive on the other side of the village.

A somewhat long route with the advantage of bringing together several must-see spots in the area, which are also offered separately as shorter circular routes on Visorando: Le Gour de l’Oule, Le Ranc de l’Arc, Pertus de Fabria, panoramic views of the Ibie Valley and the Ardèche mountains, and of course, Le Gour de la Sompe. For those who aren’t afraid of getting their feet wet now and then (there are numerous fords), this walk along the water’s edge is best undertaken outside the summer dry season, when the rains feed the Ibie and the streams of the Sompe and Salastre.  

From Lagorce, the route climbs to the Notre-Dame d'Ajude chapel, through holm oak woods to the Ibie cliffs, past the Gour de la Sompe (waterfall and plunge pool), and returns to the village through more open farmland. This hike requires a good awareness of the environment, reading IGN maps and/or GPS indications.

Following small roads and tracks through the Ardèche countryside, at the foot of the village of Lagorce, we join a path that goes deep into the trees to climb to the summit of Sigaud. We then continue to link the various summits of the Ranc, sometimes on footpaths, sometimes on forest tracks. The view of this superb region of the Ardèche opens up regularly from one side to the other. After a steep, stony descent of around 200 m, we return to small roads and country lanes. In spring, all this is amply covered with a multitude of varied flowers.

The Ibie Valley and its cliffs are full of geological curiosities. The Ranc de l'Arche is the best known, with the Trou de la Lune rock. It is easily accessible via this route. The second part takes you along a section of the botanical trail, and the third part takes you to the Salastre stream canyon and its famous gour, where you will be alone in the world. Allow 3 to 3½ hours to take your time and enjoy the scenery.

Walk in the Bois d'Ajude near Lagorce. The Gour de la Sompe is not well described in guidebooks and is not on a marked path, but the site is worth a visit for its green water and waterfall (when there is enough water). Beautiful view of the Ibie valley from the Pertus de Fabria.

A very beautiful hike starting from the hamlet of Les Salelles. You will first take a short tour of the hamlet to see the two bread ovens, then continue into the forest and pass by a lavender field. The return trip will be less shaded.

A beautiful hike on easy trails, with numerous magnificent views of the Ardèche mountains, the Vercors and the Ventoux, discovering the remains of ancient cultures and the forgotten and abandoned hamlet of Les Pallières. A route through areas that were inhabited and cultivated until the 19th century. As a bonus, if the water is flowing, finish with a swim in the Ibie.

An easy walk on the ridges between Ruoms and Pradons. Beautiful views over the Ardèche valley and the cliffs of the cirque de Gens in the second part. Avoid hot weather, as shade is scarce and there's no water.

A hilly walk through green oaks between Pradons and Lagorce. Beautiful views of the Ardèche cliffs on the final descent.

A circular route starting from the "La Digue" campsite, leading to the village of Chauzon and then to the viewpoint overlooking the Ardèche valley. The route alternates between limestone paths, stretches of heath and riverbanks. The viewpoint above Chauzon offers unobstructed views of the Cirque de Gens and the Ardèche cliffs.

From Ruoms to Labeaume, the hike alternates between ancient villages and nature. This itinerary passes the Ardèche river, the heights of the Baume river gorge, the pretty village of Labeaume and the old town of Ruoms. Alternating between shady and sunny stretches. Several possibilities for swimming along the way.

Hike along clear paths with beautiful views of the Ardèche valley and the Massif Central on one side, and the forests of Lagorce and the Dent de Rez massif on the other.

The first part of this circular path descends into a forest of tall conifers, in the refreshing Tiourre Stream valley, known for its turquoise pools. The path then takes you along a balcony above the Ardèche Gorges road, offering views of one of the famous river’s meanders and its cliffs. The second section, which is more challenging, climbs above the hamlet of Châmes, mostly through woodland, with a more Mediterranean feel as you approach the Serre de la Desferre. A complete change of scenery guaranteed! Recommendation: in the Tiourre valley, there are numerous unmarked trails and mobile network coverage is patchy. Remember to download the technical sheet or the GPX file before setting off.

A pleasant hike along the banks of the Ardèche river, sometimes with overhanging cliffs on a magnificent path, and sometimes skirting the riverbed. There's also a cave within easy reach.

The village of Chauzon is located at the end of a plateau surrounded by the Ardèche, the Ligne and the Gournier stream. Following the edge of this plateau, this hike will reveal beautiful views of these three valleys. These viewpoints are located on rocks at the top of cliffs. Access is not vertiginous, but please be careful with children.

A walk amid holm oaks along the capricious Ibie river, whose water doesn’t always flow overground.

A short circuit that will take you along beautiful trails to discover an underground cave and beautiful beaches on the banks of the Ardèche with breathtaking views of the Ruoms gorge and the Cirque de Gens.

This hike takes you along the Montagne de la Serre, whose highest point is La Baume Lardière. To reach this ridge, take the path that leads to the Col de la Cize. At the ridge, you will discover numerous viewpoints over the Cévennes, as well as the Baronnies massif and Mont Ventoux. The return journey is via the Ravin de la Fontaine du Merle.

From the banks of Ardèche, to the balconies of Salavas, but fairly challenging in the bed of Rieussec. There are stringing points. ATTENTION: Some sections can quickly become very dangerous for hikers who are ill-equipped or not trained for this kind of more technical hike. Therefore, please take care.

A peaceful walk with no sporting pretensions through varied landscapes, a hamlet with beautiful houses of spectacular architecture, an easy climb to a ledge with splendid panoramic views of the Ardèche. Return by wandering through the narrow medieval streets of old Balazuc with its artisan craft shops.

Sampzon, a small village perched on a promontory overlooking the Rocher and encircled by a loop of the Ardèche, (you have to see it from the top of the car park). A veritable natural belvedere, it offers a unique panorama of the meandering Ardèche. The old village has preserved its traditional houses. The route is very well signposted.

This is a surprising route due to its wild character and beauty, which takes you around the place known as "Le Sauvage", starting from the megalithic necropolis of Ranc de Figère and continuing along that of L'Abeille. This is karstic terrain in all its splendour: large limestone slabs criss-crossed with impressive faults, rocks sculpted by erosion, deep depressions. Paths lost in nature alternate with wide tracks passing close to superb isolated houses.

Spectacular hike off the beaten track and unmarked trails on the limestone plateau of Labeaume, discovering the landscapes and vernacular heritage: engraved crosses, dolmens, cliff-side path to the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers. On the way back, pass by the splendid Mas de l'Abeille. :

This medium-difficulty hike in the Ardèche mountains will take you to the Col de Reboul with a nice climb, some lovely shaded sections and a descent towards Reboul. You will cross several fords, meet some interesting people and enjoy some beautiful views.

Starting from the village of Balazuc, a hike along the right bank of the Ardèche with, after leaving the forest, a clear view of the Coiron massif to Mont Lozère via the Tanargue massif. Only for walkers who are not afraid of stony paths!

Family hike starting from the village of Balazuc. For children, there is a small, safe cave to visit and a walk along the water's edge. Easy route, mostly signposted but a little rocky in places.

This walk takes you up to the heights of the village over varied terrain, with a ford to cross on your return. You can continue by exploring this little village and recharging your batteries at the bar-restaurant, which is currently being refurbished.

This hike will take you from the heath to the pine forest and back in time as you discover the ruins of the Moulin de la Tiourre.

Between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Remèze, this hike should be done mid-season before it become too difficult to park in "gorges de l'Ardèche" after Pont-d'Arc.The walk offers beautiful view points over the Ardèche and Tiourre valleys, the Saint-Remèze plateau then Pont-d'Arc on the trip back.

A varied hike that takes you along a small canyon. Not to be done on a very hot day. 13/02/2024: Route modified following a municipal order. See practical information.

A hike offering varied scenery. The first section takes you through holm oak woods around the Route Royale, whilst the second section leads through vineyards with views of the Ardèche cliffs and the mountains of the Massif Central. Along the way, you’ll pass through the old village of Rochecolombe and, with a short detour, Saint-Maurice-d’Ardèche. 13/11/2023 - Please note: due to safety works, access through the old village is temporarily closed at the chapel. See the alternative route in the Practical Information section

A pleasant hike with multiple panoramic views, open to all, allowing you to discover the village of Rochecolombe and its surroundings.

This history-rich circuit starts at the foot of the old village of Rochecolombe, which you will discover on your return, before reaching Sauveplantade and its Romanesque church and continuing along a section of the Royal Road that linked Villeneuve-de-Berg to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

Behind the Dent de Rez, in Ardèche, lies a maze of valleys and hills stretching to the Ibie valley. Now practically deserted, the area was inhabited and cultivated until the early 20th century. I invite you to discover the ruined farms of Chambonnet, the ruined hamlet of Pallières and its spring, and above all the hundreds of terraces built on the hillside to make the land cultivable.

This path, much less travelled than the classic route, allows you to bypass the massif to the north with magnificent views of the Ardèche mountains and the immense wild forest, which is aptly named because it is very, very wild... It is also the most accessible route for vehicles to reach the summit, but it is of course prohibited to vehicles and reserved for site management personnel; barriers prevent vehicles from crossing.

A short, unpretentious walk above the hamlet of Vaudanoux with lovely views over the ridge.Please note: for those who prefer well-marked routes, this route is not signposted and some paths are difficult to follow.A map and GPS app are recommended.

The Plateau des Gras is a limestone plateau crossed by rivers, situated between the Bois de Païolive woods in the southwest and the slopes of the Coiron in the northeast. The northwestern edge of the plateau overlooks a depression extending from Aubenas to Les Vans. The footpaths along this edge of the plateau offer unspoilt views of the Monts d'Ardèche hills at the eastern edge of the Massif Central. The walk also takes you along beautiful paths amid oak trees and to a viewpoint overlooking the village of Balazuc.

Shortly before flowing into the Ardèche, the Beaume (or Baume) has carved out meandering gorges in the limestone plateau west of Ruoms. Two routes along paths, paved slanting streets and tracks, but also tarmac, run along one bank of the river and then the other between Labeaume and Ruoms. Here you will find the typical landscapes and vegetation of karst areas, between abandoned farmland and new developments, and the unspoilt charm of the old village of Labeaume.

This pleasant circuit explores picturesque trails and places north of Labeaume.

Ascent to the highest peak of the Plateau des Gras, which, in good weather, offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama of the Upper Ardèche, the Cévennes, the Vercors and Provence. A hike with no major difficulties, though take particular care at the summit due to the presence of cliffs, which are not very high but dangerous nonetheless. Be sure to follow the route in the direction indicated to enjoy the ‘wow’ factor when you reach the summit.

A beautiful hike typical of southern Ardèche, alternating between stony paths, sharp limestone pavement, rocks, trails, tracks and small roads, starting from the charming little village of Saint-Remèze, which was once fortified. The "castle", the Romanesque church, a few fountains and a wash house are some of the highlights of the visit. Beautiful views of the Rocher de Sampzon, Mont Lozère, the Baronnies, Ventoux and Vercors.

Starting from Lanas, after crossing the Ardèche, the route of the old railway line to Saint-Maurice-d'Ardèche leads to the old Balazuc station. After climbing up to the village and crossing the bridge, the return journey follows the much wilder path along the river banks.

The view from the summit of the Dent de Rez is one of the must-see sights in the southern Ardèche. This hike, which is shorter and easier than the classic route, can be completed in half a day.

Lavender and vine crops. Heaths and dry stone walls. Ruins of a former German military camp. An extremely easy walk, with no elevation gain, on good paths and small roads with no traffic.

In the Ardèche Gorges, the Cirque de Gaud is home to a discovery trail dotted with information panels about the region's flora and fauna. At the Gaud campsite, you will find Gaud Castle and the Ardèche River.

A short hike with very pleasant scenery.

A very pleasant, easy walk through the heath between dry stone walls, with the option to explore the Neolithic necropolis and the Bourbouillet resurgence cave if you wish. Magnificent in spring when white yarrow blankets the landscape, dotted with pink, yellow or blue from other flowers. The wetland vegetation near the Reméjadou karstic cave is surprising, featuring mosses, lichens, ferns, etc. 15/05/2024: Starting car park changed.

In this part of the Plateau des Gras, the Bourbouillet resurgence and the Aven du Reméjadou are among the classic routes often described. This hike will take you along some lesser-known and therefore less-frequented trails in the surrounding area. A word of advice, however: forget the IGN map, which is very incomplete in this area. Instead, use the OpenStreetMap hiking base map with the Visorando app; the built-in GPS may come in handy.

A beautiful hike in the heart of the Ardèche Gorges, during which you will:- descend a valley, follow the river along a path equipped with cables and ladders for a short section. Cirques, cliffs, small caves, rocks, needles, rapids, sandy or pebble beaches follow one after another. Many birds inhabit the cliffs.- climb back up another beautiful valley, offering some stunning views of the gorges and their meanders, to reach the plateau.

This beautiful 9 km hike will take you to the banks of the Ardèche, in the heart of the canyon. A hike with handrails and ladders along the route. Swimming is allowed and irresistible. The descent through the Combe des Champs will be long, but you will be amazed when you arrive in the canyon. A significant elevation gain of -500 / + 500 will make this hike difficult, but the trails are well marked and protected. Please note: this hike is currently impassable due to a major rockfall on the Ardèche riverbank on 14 June 2024 Please check with the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc Tourist Office on 04 75 54 54 20 or the Syndicat de Gestion des Gorges de l'Ardèche, which manages the trails in the nature reserve, to find out if access is possible again.

A beautiful, easy walk that takes you through the shade of the trees in the Ardèche scrubland (very pleasant in the sometimes intense heat) before offering a beautiful view of the Ardèche and the Pont d'Arc.

This is an easy hike, allowing you to discover the route of an old railway line in the landscapes of southern Ardèche on the way there, and the banks of the Ardèche in a very rural environment on the way back. On the way, you can linger in the narrow streets of the old village of Lanas, with its almost medieval atmosphere. Those who dislike tarmac can avoid this very family-friendly hike, which is well suited to people who find it difficult to walk on uneven and hilly terrain.

From Vogüé, the old railway line, converted into a greenway, leads to the hamlet of Les Louanes, south of Balazuc. A flat route in the Ardèche: a rarity! The climb back up to Balazuc takes you along the Coste-Labaume corniche. See the description in the practical information section. The return journey is along the right bank of the Ardèche, passing through the medieval village of Lanas.

Circuit from Vogüé towards Balazuc, taking the old railway line (Vogüé-Grospierre greenway, which is flat, a rarity in the Ardèche), and returning along the right bank of the Ardèche, which is wilder. Please note: there is a lot of tarmac and cycle paths on this route, which should be avoided if you have allergies.

From the plateau to the river, this short and fairly easy route will also allow you to discover the vegetation of the gorges, notably the Phoenician juniper. The elevation gain is at the end of the route, and the concrete track from the Gournier bivouac to the starting point is very steep. The route is well shaded. Pay attention to point (3).

A very beautiful hike along the Ardèche Gorges, between the Bivouac du Gournier and the Cirque de la Madeleine, over magnificent limestone slabs and at the foot of the imposing cliff face bordering the gorges. Along the route, you’ll discover the huge rock known as the ‘Cathedral’, over 100 metres high, whose jagged shape resembles a cathedral.

A hike that takes you along small roads and beautiful paths through a varied, little-known and still largely agricultural area of southern Ardèche. Best done on a clear day to admire the remarkable distant views in all directions.

This pleasant hike takes you along beautiful paths from the old village of Vinezac to the hilltop hamlet of Merzelet through a varied environment (terraces returned to natural vegetation, pine forests, but also areas cultivated with vines, olive trees, and fruit trees). The distant landscape is magnificent, particularly at the top of the loop. The entire route is very well marked in yellow and white, with often recent markings.

A beautiful hike on the ridges of the Monts de Berg, offering some lovely views. A visit to the well-restored village is a must: cobbled streets with arcades connecting the façades, shops at the bottom of old houses, an old oven. In terms of nature, the town is built at the foot of a typical Mediterranean forest, which offers an astonishing spectacle as you walk through its plots, separated by clapas, lavender, almond trees, mulberry trees and olive trees.