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

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.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 190 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 195 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 251 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 126 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: On the D104, at Maison-Neuve, immediately after the bridge over the Chassezac (southbound), take the D252 on the right (towards Bois de Païolive). Follow it for about 4km. After two large right-hand bends, park in the Lestong car park (plenty of spaces, very busy).

(S/E) From the car park, turn your back to the road and take the path on the right (eastbound) between two rocks, then a few metres further on, turn right towards the south-east. The path climbs then descends and rejoins the D257 road. Cross it and take the main path (GR®®) opposite until you reach a large crossroads. Continue south-south-east for about 200 metres.

(1) Take the main path on the left heading due east for 800 metres until it turns south-southeast. Stop, walk around and observe all the dolmen remains, some of which are still partially standing. You are on a megalithic necropolis.

(2) Retrace your steps and take the second main path on your left. This path joins the Graveyron stream bed and veers slightly to the left.

(3) You will see a path on your right that crosses the stream. Ignore it and continue along the trail. At the first fork in the path, take the right-hand path and walk past a ruined dolmen.
At the second fork at the corner of an old stone wall, take the left-hand path. Head in a south-easterly direction for 200 metres. One path leads east, another leads south to the left.

(4) Take the path heading due south and continue along it for over 1 km. It will widen and then approach the stream bed, which it will eventually follow until it reaches some houses. Continue to the road (D202), with the campsite opposite.

(5) Take the road on the right and continue to the village of Berrias (shops, café).

(6) At the entrance to the village, take the first road on the right, parallel to the main road, behind the church. Follow this road and take the third road on the right at the end of the houses, which heads north and runs alongside the cemetery.
The tarmac road branches off to the left. Ignore it and continue straight ahead along the dirt track until you reach the crossroads.

(7) Ignore the path on the left, continue for about ten metres, and take the path at a right angle to the left. The path climbs steadily to a fork.
Take the path on the right, which continues to climb. The path becomes more wooded. After a large circular loop (heading north then west), a large path branches off to your right. Ignore it and continue for another 250 metres until the path descends. You will find a path on your right, at the entrance to which is a large painted stone (the paint is very faded) marked "Sentier de la Vierge" (Path of the Virgin).

(8) Take this path for 200 metres until you reach a crossroads with one path in front of you and one to your right. The path you have just come from is marked with a green cross on the ground. You have now joined the Païolive path known as the "Sentier de la Vierge".
Take this path on the right and follow the green markings. This is the "Sentier de la Vierge", a very popular and well-maintained tourist trail and undoubtedly the most remarkable spot in the woods. From time to time, dotted green markings indicate alternative routes to see notable sights. Always return to the green markings, which you follow until you see the "car park" arrows. Go to the car park and rejoin the road.

(9) Take the road on the right, then very quickly take the path on the left of the road below, marked "vers leGR®®4" (towards the GR®®4). When you reach Le Carrefour des Trois Seigneurs, turn left with theGR®® and follow the signs for "Ermitage Saint-Eugène".

(10) At the crossroads, turn right towards "Ermitage Saint-Eugène" (straight ahead towards Les Vans). A little further on, you will find a path on the left marked with an explanatory sign and blocked by a chain. Take this path. A little further on, on the left, a flat rock overlooks the valley and offers a remarkable view of the hermitage. Pass under the hermitage and continue following the blue markings. A little further on, a marked return path leads to a viewpoint. Further on, the path becomes uneven and passes close to a karstic cave (caution). Continue to the crossroads with the signposts and coloured markings. Ignore the sign for Parking de Lestrang on the right and continue straight ahead.

(11) Go straight on along the path marked "Berrias" and marked in white and red (GR®®) (do not take the "route de la corniche" which turns away from the cliff!). This leads to the Chassezac cliff. Be very careful along this section. After the cliff and a slight descent, you will come to another signposted crossroads.

(12) Leave theGR®®, take the path on the right marked "vers le parking de Lestong" (towards the Lestong car park). Follow it straight ahead to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 191 m - Lestong car park
  2. 1 : km 0.78 - alt. 180 m - Towards the necropolis
  3. 2 : km 1.4 - alt. 159 m - Necropolis of Les Granges
  4. 3 : km 2.01 - alt. 158 m - Graveyron stream
  5. 4 : km 2.43 - alt. 155 m - Gras de la Rouvière
  6. 5 : km 3.33 - alt. 127 m - Camping de la Source
  7. 6 : km 3.9 - alt. 128 m - Berrias Church
  8. 7 : km 4.74 - alt. 143 m - Crossroads of the Blanchadures ravine
  9. 8 : km 6.51 - alt. 217 m - Towards the Sentier de la Vierge
  10. 9 : km 7.68 - alt. 202 m - Païolive car park
  11. 10 : km 8.65 - alt. 225 m - Crossroads of the - Ermitage Saint-Eugène (Les Vans)
  12. 11 : km 10.33 - alt. 216 m - Crossroads of the Corniche du - Chassezac (rivière)
  13. 12 : km 10.97 - alt. 191 m - GR/Lestong crossroads
  14. S/E : km 11.5 - alt. 193 m - Lestong car park

Practical information

I recommend hiking in the direction indicated, as the first part is particularly barren and it is better to do it in the morning in case of high temperatures, especially as it is worth lingering there. There are no known water sources, so take enough with you.
The time indicated (3 hours 40 minutes) is calculated by software based on an average pace. Add an hour to enjoy the area, visit the sights and have a picnic at the foot of the Virgin statue on the trail.
Take the time to visit the Sentier de la Vierge (Virgin's Path), the route is magnificent and very interesting.
The last part, the hermitage and corniche, is very chaotic in terms of the trail, so be careful if you have sensitive ankles and knees. The Chassezac corniche remains dangerous, so be very careful and avoid it in case of rain or during rainy periods.

In the nearby area

(1) to (4) The Plaine des Granges was inhabited and fertile long ago, when the Graveyron stream flowed regularly. This is evidenced by the numerous (unfortunately badly damaged) graves and stone walls attesting to farming and livestock breeding. In this now almost deserted plain, people lived, hunted, gathered and perhaps farmed. Note the meander of the Graveyron, which is unusual in this plain.

(6) In Berrias, visit the church and the old streets around it.
(8) In the Bois de Païolive, take the time to walk along the Sentier de la Vierge. Set off in search of it. Be careful, as the woods are full of unknown faults and holes. Take care with children (and dogs).
(10) The Hermitage can only be visited on the first Friday of each month. A word to the wise. Mass is held on Sundays.

(11) After the crossroads, you can reach the Gleysasse cave. Find out more on websites dedicated to the caves of Ardèche and from specialists.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 39 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Perrye83
Perrye83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful, varied hike with magnificent scenery. Some of the wet sections are very slippery.
Thanks to the author for this suggestion.

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ed102
ed102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Slippery hike in wet weather. Nice view of the Chassezac Gorges

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Francine84
Francine84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A varied hike in a magnificent setting. There are three trails, all very well marked by the tourist office: the Hermitage (in blue), the Corniche (in yellow) and the Virgin's Path (in green). We descended to the spectacular Gleysasse Cave and took the time to walk the entire length of the Virgin's Path.
The Granges Necropolis left us perplexed at first, until we realised that the remains of the dolmens are buried under their stone mounds. There are an impressive number of them, but few dolmens are still clearly identifiable.
Thank you for sharing this with us.

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mlkwsk
mlkwsk

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful hike, very varied, a little slippery at this time of year. I recommend it. Be careful between points 10 and 11, follow the GPS track carefully as there is a fork in the path that is not very obvious.

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MONVOISIN MARIE
MONVOISIN MARIE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

In the maze of the Païolive woods, it is sometimes difficult to follow the path because the vegetation has obscured it.
Be sure to wear good shoes as the ground is slippery and sometimes muddy.

This is a beautiful hike offering a wide variety of landscapes.

It is no longer possible to access and visit the Saint Eugène hermitage; only parishioners attending Sunday mass at 11 a.m. are invited.

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Rémy68
Rémy68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful and varied hike, with the magnificent Paiolive forest and beautiful views of the surrounding area.
As is almost always the case in this region, there are lots of stones, so good shoes are essential.

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btournai
btournai

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Accessible hike with many points of interest.
Very reliable and easy-to-follow description, we didn't get lost!
Not many people at this time of year, even on the Virgin's Path.
You can follow the Graveyron stream by walking in its bed between points 3 and 5.
Not to be done in hot weather!

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Phem47
Phem47
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An easy hike except for the end on the cliff edge for those who are afraid of heights... But it is possible to return to the car park via a path through the woods (a little longer). There is plenty to discover, including the megalithic necropolis of Les Granges, the Bois de Paiolive with its eerie labyrinthine rocks, the Hermitage and the Chassezac Gorges. A good, beautiful hike. Good shoes are necessary for crossing the rocks in the Bois de Paiolive.

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strong54
strong54

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route, very unique in the Païolive woods. I have rarely seen this type of natural setting; small paths winding between rocks in a forest. Worth seeing.
We got lost between points 10 and 11. We continued straight ahead, ignoring the sign as indicated in the description, but after a while there was no more path! We managed to find the path leading to the car park thanks to the GPX track, crossing some very dense areas and getting quite scratched in the process...
I think this part of the description needs to be revised...

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schnogeloch
schnogeloch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very beautiful hike, only frequented on the Virgin's trail.
GPS is very useful, especially at the beginning, despite the excellent description.
However, it is a long hike: if you want to enjoy it to the fullest and take in all the sights, you need plenty of time (we had to skip the hermitage section due to time constraints, which was a shame. We will definitely return. With pleasure.

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Renat MH
Renat MH

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Date of the hike(s).
I have family living not far from Les Vans. I recommend this hike in the Bois de Païolive for families and/or groups of hikers. Superb walks and well-marked trails. You can start from the Clairière car park or the Lestong car park. Corniche (yellow) and Saint Eugène (blue) trails; the walk can be done anti-clockwise in dry weather, with a beautiful view of the Chassezac and, further on, an unforgettable viewpoint not far from the Saint Eugène Chapel. It will be redone by a group of hikers from Sully in September 2022.
Enjoy your hike!

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Franxav
Franxav

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The description of the route between points 1 and 5 (between the necropolis and the approaches to Berrias) is insufficient given the numerous paths that branch off to the right and left. Nevertheless, by passing through Les Granges or La Rouvière, you will still reach Berrias. Thank you for this superb tour through Païolive and the Chassezac corniche.

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jocelyne.sp
jocelyne.sp

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello
Thank you, Ardo, for the information and for sharing your interest in this hike.
The necropolis appeared to me to be very damaged by time and the elements.
The Virgin's Path (marked in green) is magnificent, and the statue is remarkable. You just need to be in reasonably good shape.

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Perdigal
Perdigal

Hello,

It might be useful to add: "Between points 10 and 11, you will see a sign for "Parking de Lestong" on the right. Ignore this sign and continue straight ahead.

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ardo
ardo

I understand.
I no longer live in the area, so I would be grateful if you could let me know what would be best to write in the description. Thank you in advance. Enjoy hiking on these wonderful Ardèche trails.

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