Ardèche walks

On the trails of the Ardèche Gorges

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Sur les sentiers des Gorges de l'Ardèche

Departure from Labastide-de-Virac (Ardèche)

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.

The Païolive Woods

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Le Bois de Païolive

Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)

Discover a particularly interesting wood above the town of Les Vans.Comments about this route: I did this route in 2013, and it turns out that some signs have been added since then (signposts and probably markings), which is to be expected. Hikers can then explore other trails but will always find something unique and interesting in this remarkable wood, with no chance of getting lost.

Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron: the learning path

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Parcours pédagogique de Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron

Departure from Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron (Ardèche)

A route starting at a hilltop village, Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, with a wonderful, panoramic 180° view over the Ardèche mountains and plains, from Villeneuve de Berg to the Col de l'Escrinet (the Cham du Cros, Rocher d’Abraham, Montagne Sainte-Marguerite, Mont Lozère). In addition, educational panels depicting the history, geology and life on the Coiron adorn this hike.

La Dent de Rez

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Departure from Gras (Ardèche)

The high point of Basse-Ardèche, this promontory (719 m) offers a beautiful panorama of the Cévennes, Mont Lozère, the Alps, the Baronnies, Mont Ventoux and the Ridge of Montmirail.

The Sainte Baume gorges

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Gorges de la Sainte-Baume

Departure from Saint-Montan (Ardèche)

A splendid medieval village, a hermit and his cave, a valley in the limestone hills and the views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Ventoux. Prepare yourself for a nice, family-friendly hike, which will suit everyone.

The upper Ganière valley and the Sentier du Facteur

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La haute vallée de la Ganière et le Sentier du Facteur

Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)

One of the most beautiful routes in the Vans region, both in terms of scenery and heritage. Balcony paths, chestnut groves and drying rooms, a gold-bearing river, low walls and beehives carved into chestnut tree trunks: everything invites you to discover this enclave of the Ardèche and its hamlets, which were once only accessible on foot. Be careful, there are steep and very steep ascents and descents. Allow 5 hours for the route, plus extra time for wandering around.

Gour de la Sompe - Pertus de Fabria

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Gour de la Sompe - Pertus de Fabria

Departure from Lagorce (Ardèche)

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.

Balazuc - Estinettes Cave

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Balazuc - Grotte des Estinettes

Departure from Balazuc (Ardèche)

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.

Around Chauzon

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Aux alentours de Chauzon

Departure from Balazuc (Ardèche)

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.

Mirabel, the sentinel of the Coiron

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Mirabel, la sentinelle du Coiron

Departure from Ardèche

Walked and re-walked by families from the villages around Mirabel, this easy walk is renowned for its exceptional views, including 180° views from the top of the basalt cliffs and the tower. The walk ends in the medieval village, where you can stroll through the labyrinth of narrow streets, cul-de-sacs and vaulted passageways.

The Chirouse Volcano

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Le Volcan de Chirouse

Departure from Pranles (Ardèche)

A very pleasant route through the Ardèche forest and its peaceful little hamlets. The omnipresent calm allows you to recharge your batteries and become one with nature.

The Cirque de Gens from Ruoms

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Le Cirque de Gens depuis Ruoms

Departure from Ruoms (Ardèche)

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.

Serre de Pied-de Boeuf

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Serre de Pied-de Boeuf

Departure from Creysseilles (Ardèche)

A very beautiful hike offering exceptional and magnificent panoramic views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Dévoluy, Vercors, etc., and allowing you to alternate between varied basalt and agricultural landscapes. You will also pass by the site of an ancient tomb, which is well worth a visit.

Lac des Meinettes

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Le lac des Meinettes

Departure from Cheminas (Ardèche)

An easy hike that allows you to discover Lac des Meinettes and the trail that runs around it. A beautiful view of the Ardèche plateau above the nearby Rhône valley.

Tiourre stream

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Ruisseau du Tiourre

Departure from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche)

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.

Mount Gerbier de Jonc (1551 m), around it and up it

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Mont Gerbier de Jonc : tour et ascension

Departure from Sainte-Eulalie (Ardèche)

This trail goes around and climbs up the Gerbier de Jonc whose summit offers a view over the Ardèche mountains.

Thines... a jewel perched high above

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Thines … un joyau perché

Departure from Saint-Pierre-Saint-Jean (Ardèche)

This hike takes you to the village of Thines and the Church of Notre-Dame, undoubtedly a jewel of Romanesque art in the heart of the Cévennes mountains. All along this trail, the view of the village and the wild mountains surrounding it is magnificent!

The Ibie Balconies

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Les balcons de l'Ibie

Departure from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche)

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

Balazuc loop via the Coste-Labaume cliff

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Boucle de Balazuc par la corniche de Coste-Labaume

Departure from Balazuc (Ardèche)

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.

The cornices of the Eyrieux

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Les corniches de l'Eyrieux

Departure from Saint-Michel-de-Chabrillanoux (Ardèche)

This pleasant hike along picturesque and varied trails offers superb views of the beautiful and wild Eyrieux Valley. The first part follows theGR®427.

Around Lake Devesset

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Autour du Lac de Devesset

Departure from Devesset (Ardèche)

Easy hike on the Ardèche plateau. Relaxing landscapes and a magnificent lake, with a leisure centre. Combined with a swim in Lac de Devesset, you can enjoy a beautiful day of hiking in the morning and leisure activities in the afternoon.

The Château de Crussol and its ridges

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Le Château de Crussol et ses crêtes

Departure from Saint-Péray (Ardèche)

Explore the ruins of La Villette and Crussol Castle, followed by a long walk along the ridges offering views of the Rhône valley and the Vercors.

Le Serre du Gruas from Saint-Cierge-la-Serre

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Departure from Saint-Cierge-la-Serre (Ardèche)

View of the Vercors on one side and panoramic view at the Serre de Gruas.

The Daronne Gorges

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Les gorges de la Daronne

Departure from Étables (Ardèche)

A beautiful hike entirely on paths in the Daronne Gorges. A pretty, very wild spot not far from Tournon and the Rhône Valley. A local must-see. What's more, this route is not the "classic" route and is therefore a little wilder...

The Échelles Royales and the mountain pastures at Thueyts

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Les Échelles Royales et les estives à Thueyts

Departure from Thueyts (Ardèche)

This beautiful and challenging hike will take you on a short journey to discover the passages invented by the locals to cross the basalt flows, take you to the old summer pastures of Fargebelle through steep chestnut groves, and as a bonus, show you the two magnificent bridges that span the Ardèche on either side of Thueyts.

The Daronne Gorges, circular tour starting from Deyras

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Les Gorges de la Daronne, boucle à partir de Deyras

Departure from Saint-Victor (Ardèche) (Ardèche)

A lovely walk through the woods in Ardèche, near Saint-Félicien, with two descents into the Daronne gorges, following part of the nature trail through this natural site. You can visit the hamlet of Saint-Sorny. On the way back, there are beautiful views of the Alps, weather permitting.

Ridges and hamlets around Lentillères

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Crêtes et hameaux autour de Lentillères

Departure from Lentillères (Ardèche)

Don't forget your cameras for this walk, which will take you up to a ridge where you can enjoy exceptional views of the Ardèche plateau, the Aubenas basin and the Vercors. You will then plunge into the undergrowth to discover the small hamlets of Lentillères.In spring, the flora is very interesting.

Circuit from Vogüé to Balazuc via the old railway line

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Circuit de Vogüé à Balazuc par l'ancienne voie ferrée

Departure from Vogüé (Ardèche)

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.

Vallon d'Ardennes and the Tower of Arras in Arras-sur-Rhône

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Departure from Arras-sur-Rhône (Ardèche)

Hike near the Rhône, to the north of Ardèche. You will be surprised to find areas that are this "wild" so close to the Rhône Valley (Ardennes). At the end, the view of the Rhône and the Arras tower is a definite plus.

Loop between Châteaubourg and Signac

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Boucle entre Châteaubourg et Signac

Departure from Châteaubourg (Ardèche)

A lovely walk on the heights of Châteaubourg, with stunning views over the Rhône Valley and the hillsides of Saint-Joseph. Unfortunately, the end of the walk is on tarmac (very little traffic).

From Cornas to La Borne

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De Cornas à La Borne

Departure from Cornas (Ardèche)

A walk in the hills above Cornas, offering typical Ardèche scenery. We pass from vineyards to ravines.Route change November 2022.

The Knoll of Sara

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Departure from Saint-Martial (Ardèche)

Located between Mont Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc, the Suc de Sara rises to 1,521 metres. The ascent via the south face and then the east ridge leads to the summit, which offers a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding knolls and valleys as far as the Vercors, Mont Ventoux and the Alps. During the ascent of the south face, the crossing of the scree slopes offers beautiful landscapes.

Le Vieux Rompon and the balconies of the Ouvèze

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Le Vieux Rompon et les balcons de l'Ouvèze

Departure from Le Pouzin (Ardèche)

Discover the ruins of the Couvent des Chèvres overlooking the Rhône valley and then the hamlet of Vieux Rompon. The return trail is a pleasant walk along the cliffs above the Ouvèze with magnificent views.

Rocher d'Abraham

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Departure from Mayres (Ardèche)

You are at the heart of the Ardèche. View of the Cevennes and the Gerbier de Jonc.

Roche Chérie in Saint-Pons

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Roche Chérie à Saint-Pons

Departure from Saint-Pons (Ardèche) (Ardèche)

This route runs along the foothills of the Coiron massif on existing but not very obvious paths. Follow the yellow markings carefully. The route passes through some beautiful basalt columns, crosses the plateau with its superb panoramic views, then descends via a rocky ridge to Roche Chérie: a remnant of the massif's significant volcanic past. A small chapel is built against the neck.

The Sentier des Granges trail

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Sentier des Granges

Departure from Laboule (Ardèche)

At the heart of the Monts D’Ardèche Regional Natural Park, Laboule is the ideal starting point for a walk with a variety of contrasting atmospheres. At the summit of the Sentier des Granges trail there is an unparalleled panoramic view (Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux, Mont Bouquet, Mont Lozère...) a day’s walk across the third-highest summit of the Cévennes range (at 1,548 m) with its rocky mountains and luminous rivers.

Around Païolive: from necropolis to hermitage, from desert to forest

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Autour de Païolive : de nécropole en ermitage, du désert à la forêt

Departure from Berrias-et-Casteljau (Ardèche)

This hike will take you to a megalithic necropolis and a desert plain inhabited long ago by those who were buried there. It will take you to the village of Berrias, up to the Païolive woods, which you will cross, and then to the hermitage of Saint-Eugène, which is still in use, before allowing you to admire the Chassezac gorges from the magnificent cliff.

In the Massif de Crussol

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Promenade dans le Massif de Crussol

Departure from Saint-Péray (Ardèche)

A ride on the peaks of the Massif de Crussol, 20 minutes from Valencia via the castle.

Ranc de l'Arche loop

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Ranc de l'Arche en boucle

Departure from Lagorce (Ardèche)

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.

Chames Patroux along "ruisseau du Tiourre" (stream) and through Combe Longue for the trip back

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Chames Patroux par le ruisseau du Tiourre et retour par Combe Longue

Departure from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche)

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.

The Serre de l'Église and the Grottes de la Jaubernie

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Departure from Coux (Ardèche)

Apart from the distance, this is an easy hike on good trails through typical Ardèche landscapes. At the summit, there are beautiful views of the Rhône and Ouvèze valleys and, at the end of the walk, you can discover the famous Jaubernie caves, which served as troglodyte dwellings for Protestants driven out of Privas during the Wars of Religion.

Saint-Étienne-de-Serres: Le Serre de Lès

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Saint-Étienne-de-Serres : Le Serre de Lès

Departure from Saint-Étienne-de-Serre (Ardèche)

The Serre de Lès offers a magnificent 360° panorama. The Alps, from Mont Ventoux to Mont Blanc, the Boutières, the Ardèche mountains and plateau, Rocher d'Abraham, the volcanic rock of Ajoux, the Chirouzes volcano, and the basalt flow of the hamlet of Chier.

From Alba-la-Romaine to Neck de Sceautres: a great journey back in time

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D'Alba-la-Romaine au Neck de Sceautres : un très grand voyage dans le temps

Departure from Alba-la-Romaine (Ardèche)

From the ancient city to the largest basalt neck in Europe, this beautiful hike takes you along a route with varied terrain: limestone plains, petrified lava blocks and the volcanic plateau of the Coiron Massif. The Sceautres neck, the jewel of the Coiron, is a basalt plug resulting from an eruption 8 million years ago. Cleared by erosion, it rises 150 metres above the valley.

The Côte du Pape

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La Côte du Pape

Departure from Glun (Ardèche)

A lovely walk in the Ardèche hills among chestnut trees. Views of the Isère plain, Mont Pilat and the Alps in the Vercors.

Thorrenc, castle, tunnel and viaducts

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Thorrenc, château, tunnel et viaducs

Departure from Thorrenc (Ardèche)

Charming village with a beautiful castle (private), a large viaduct from an old railway line that ran from Firminy to Saint-Rambert d'Albon.

Th Ajude woods, Ibie cliffs and Gour de la Sompe at Lagorce

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Le bois d'Ajude, les falaises de l'Ibie, le Gour de la Sompe à Lagorce

Departure from Lagorce (Ardèche)

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.

Four knolls between Aigue Nègre and Veyradeyre

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Quatre sucs entre Aigue Nègre et Veyradeyre

Departure from Saint-Martial (Ardèche)

Between Gerbier de Jonc and Chartreuse de Bonnefoy, the Ardèche plateau offers numerous stone-slab knolls. This circuit between Aigue Nègre and Veyradeyre passes by four of them and at the top of three. In order, these are Séponet (tower), Montfol (summit), Lauzière (summit) and Taupernas (summit). From each of them, there is a beautiful 360° view of Mont Mézenc to the north, the Tanargue massif to the south, Gerbier and Areilladou to the east, and Haute-Loire to the west.

Trails and Belvédère de l'Eyrieux

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Sentiers et Belvédère de l'Eyrieux

Departure from Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut (Ardèche)

The start of the route is flat on the Dolce Via, then climbs up paths and tracks through old terraced farms above the Eyrieux Valley. On the way, there is a short tarmac detour to the Belvédère de l'Eyrieux to enjoy the superb view. After passing two well-restored hamlets, a pleasant descent takes you to a beautiful little waterfall before returning to Moulinon.

Rieussec

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Extremely difficult

Departure from Salavas (Ardèche)

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.

Loop of the Chanet Dolmen and the Gourmier Bivouac

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Boucle du Dolmen du Chanet et du Bivouac de Gourmier

Departure from Saint-Remèze (Ardèche)

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).

More walks in Ardèche

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