Around Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun

A walk around Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun alternates between forest undergrowth and flower-filled meadows, high altitude with panoramic views and bucolic valleys, century-old forest paths built stone by stone by hand and those made with bulldozers. In places, it feels like you are walking on a green carpet. Let yourself be surprised by the diversity of the places and landscapes.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.71 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 494 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 494 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,042 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 615 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access to the starting point: After passing the road that climbs to the right to Grand Soulage, the road turns left just after the junction that leads to Hermuzière. Park on the left next to the wooden waste sorting bins.

(S/E) Take the Affortis trail that climbs opposite the road. The gentle climb up this rarely used road takes you to the Boirayon buildings. As you approach the buildings, the road continues to the right (dead end), and a grassy path leads to the buildings. Continue straight ahead as if you were going to these buildings until you see a path leading off to the left.

(1) Littered with fallen trees (but some have been cut away), it crosses a stream after a descent through the undergrowth. After the stream, it climbs back up to the hamlet of Gonnet along a path that gradually widens.
You will see the Rocher de Mahun, below which lies the hamlet of Gonnet.

(2) When you reach the tarmac road, cross it and walk past the houses on the right. Climb a little further and take the wide grassy path on the left that overlooks the houses of Gonnet (yellow and white markings). This path seems to be the old mule track leading from the Rhône valley to Le Puy-en-Velay, which is very pleasant and gently sloping. You will soon pass by a ruin that appears to be very old, judging by the style of the windows (with lintels) in the large section of wall and the vaulted ceiling of the small building that are still standing.

::3: :You will arrive at the Mahun rock, where you can see the two walls of the ruins of the medieval castle of Mahun at the top on your right. The IGN map locates the castle ruins at the hamlet, but in fact they are above the rock. Continue along the path, passing through a beech forest of young trees and then a pine forest to reach La Celle.

(4) When you reach the crossroads at La Celle, take the forest road on the left. After passing a clearing where you can take a pleasant break, take the path that climbs up to the right.

(5) After a few metres, another path branches off to the right. Ignore it and continue straight ahead (red and yellow markings). Continue until you descend to the Col de la Supyère. Don't forget to take in the landscape, which offers a beautiful view of the beginning of the Monts d'Ardèche. When you reach the forest road, take it to the right, then climb the more pleasant path that branches off to the left (red and yellow markings). On the mountain side, this path has a small wall to prevent it from collapsing. Watch out for roots protruding from the ground (which have been damaged by quad bikes).

(6) You will arrive at the Croix du Knoll crossroads (on your left). Take the path to the left of the cross and then, immediately afterwards, the middle path (marked yellow and white), which descends very steeply and is very loose, having been badly damaged by motorised vehicles (motocross bikes and quad bikes).

(7) You will arrive at a beautiful wide road lined with a superb old mossy wall. Take it on the right. From there, you will have a panoramic view of the Pays d'Ay and the Vercors mountain range.
A few hundred metres further down, the road ends at a wide track. Cross it to see the start of the path that descends to Mialier, still marked in yellow and white. The path becomes grassier and more pleasant, and may even be crossed by a stream.
When you reach the Ferme d'en Haut de Mialier, cross the forest road that leads to it and take the path opposite, below along the road, which descends towards La Grangette and Le Crouzet. You will pass through the middle of a ruin that borders the path with a low wall on each side. The path continues to descend through the undergrowth until it reaches a tarmac road.

(7) Take the tarmac road on the right to arrive a few metres further on at an intersection where you will see a calvary with a silver cross on your right (shown on the IGN map).

(8) Follow the direction of the Croix du Bosc by taking the beautiful grassy path that climbs to the right and passes above the Grangette farm. You will pass a large wooden cross leaning against the fence of the meadow on your right as you reach the top. Then, after passing through the broom, you will arrive at the three crosses (commemorating the 1929 mission) which are not marked on the IGN map. From here, you have a beautiful view of Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun and the Vercors hills.

Pass these calvaries and take the path on the left that you will soon come to. Descend to the La Furgonne road, ignoring the path on your left and taking care when you cross the path, which is half grassy and half muddy in wet weather (very slippery). Take this beautiful grassy road on the left; it will quickly become a narrower path. You will finally arrive at a place called "La Croix de Bosc" (without a cross, incidentally!) after crossing the tarmac road. Be careful, as the arrival on the road is sudden and it is not possible to see approaching cars from the path.

(9) Pass the hiking signposts and take the tarmac road that runs below Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun. Cross a stream via a bridge that leads you opposite the hamlet. Go up the road to the calvary, which marks the start of the path leading to Veyrines (yellow and white markings).

This is a wide, grassy path with a steep incline (which can be very slippery in wet weather) from which you can see the hamlet of Veyrines and its medieval church. You will come to another tarmac road, which you should cross to pick up the path opposite. You will soon reach the road leading to Veyrine. Take this road on the left. Follow it and ignore a road that goes to the right.

(10) Then, when you reach the junction with the D480 leading to Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun, continue straight ahead (turn right) to return to your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 615 m - Parking near the bins for waste sorting.
  2. 1 : km 1.42 - alt. 723 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.44 - alt. 814 m - Gonnet hamlet
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 870 m - Ruins of the medieval castle of Mahun
  5. 4 : km 3.83 - alt. 990 m - La Celle crossroads
  6. 5 : km 4.72 - alt. 1,024 m - Path ascending to the right
  7. 6 : km 5.48 - alt. 1,034 m - Carrefour de la Croix du Knoll
  8. 7 : km 6.55 - alt. 871 m - Junction with a road
  9. 8 : km 6.89 - alt. 803 m - Cross
  10. 9 : km 8.42 - alt. 701 m - Croix du Bosc
  11. 10 : km 10.29 - alt. 622 m - Junction with the D480
  12. S/E : km 10.71 - alt. 615 m - Parking near the waste sorting bins.

Notes

The crosses often have no names, and the place called "La Croix de Bosc" has no cross. Don't try to make sense of it!
The route takes into account the reality of the terrain and has been adjusted according to aerial photographs to help you complete it, as the IGN maps currently on sale are not very up to date.

The difficulty level is due to some very loose paths in very poor condition and others that are very grassy and sometimes muddy and slippery in wet weather, which can make the descent technical. However, it is perfectly feasible with children.

Good footwear that protects your feet is essential. Remember to bring a hat, sun cream and water, as you will be at altitude.
In winter, snow and wind are very common.

Worth a visit

You can enjoy a snack at the Ferme d'en Haut de Mialier farm, where you can also buy original, handmade jams and syrups (made from flowers, fruits and plants).

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 6321680

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful autumn walk. Beautiful colours, beautiful light, chestnuts and old stone. Beautiful contrasts in vegetation: terraced chestnut groves and bright beech woods.

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Charlie07
Charlie07
• Edited:

Hello, everyone.
This route is 10 years old and I haven't lived in northern Ardèche for over 6 years. So I can't correct it and I don't know how the vegetation is growing back.
I leave it up to the site managers to decide whether or not to keep this hiking trail information available.
Have a nice day.

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jake38
jake38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

More difficult than expected
Fortunately, the GPS is accurate, but it's not easy to find the trail
The first part was quite strenuous

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Jean-Paul KERENFORT
Jean-Paul KERENFORT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views, highly recommended. Avoid hiking in wet weather or after rain, as the descent can be difficult.
Thanks to the author of the route.

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loussarevian
loussarevian

Hello,
We had the same problem finding the road to the hamlet of Gonnet, but luckily we met someone who showed us the entrance to the road leading to Gonnet, which is very difficult to find because it's hidden by vegetation... Then we arrived safely at Mahun Rock.
So we had the same problem as you, but with a different outcome...
Have a nice day.

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Vonvon
Vonvon
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, I had a small problem with the signpost at the hamlet of Gonnet: the path on the left doesn't exist, but straight ahead there's a nice wide path marked 'Vocance'. So I couldn't find the exact route and ended up hiking on my own.

I had a nice little hike without too much heat.

I wonder if this route is updated regularly.

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loussarevian
loussarevian

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was poorly signposted at times, and without someone there to help, there would have been problems... but overall, it was a pleasant afternoon...

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chris07marcheur
chris07marcheur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant in hot weather as it is well shaded. Between points 4 and 6, the markers are yellow and white, not red and yellow. At point 7, the GPS track recorded on Visorando does not correspond to the route description.

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stephane.defives
stephane.defives

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular that we shortened because we were with children (starting from the village of Saint Symphorien).
However, having then visited the church in Veyrines, the full route of the circular is well worth it.
Be careful on hunting days, though: the beautiful La Celles clearing is also a meeting point for hunters...

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duck07
duck07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,

A very pleasant and shaded walk. Ideal, I think, for hot summer days.
At the start of the hike, before reaching Boirayon, turn left at the car park sign and follow a grassy path. Keep going, as the path is not very visible but it is definitely there.

Thank you again for this hike.

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philmijo
philmijo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's exactly as described. A very pleasant walk.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I followed this route, extending it on the right-hand side to Croix de Boiray and then on the left-hand side to the summit of Scree Blanc, for a total of 16 kilometres.
The views are still breathtaking at this time of year!
Thank you for the route suggestion.

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bibi
bibi ★

If the author can find us an alternative to avoid this private road, that would be great.

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ncatil
ncatil

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

About 1 km after setting off, a friendly lady explains that the fork in the road (where you turn left and then go downhill to cross a stream) crosses private land and that the owner has not given his permission. She therefore advises us to go up to the farm above her house (about 500 m) to ask the farm's inhabitants to explain the change in route, which we do. The farm's inhabitants allow us to cross their yard to rejoin the route and advise us to start the route directly from the village of Saint Symphorien de Mahun to reach the hamlet of Gonnet, then the ruins of Mahun Castle, and then continue the route following the explanations on the hiking map. Otherwise, it's a beautiful walk with plenty of shade, which is much appreciated in this heatwave!
Thanks again to Visorando.
Best regards, Nicolas.

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Pascal07300
Pascal07300

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

1 - May 2015: About 800 metres after setting off from Borayon, when crossing the stream, there is a woodcutter's area where everything is destroyed and covered with fallen trees. Force your way through; the path is clearly visible opposite. Alternatively, climb further up the original track and descend again after the woodcutter's area and the trees.
2 - It is advisable to go to scree Blanc (30 mins) and back from Croix du Knoll: Beautiful view + oppidum + scree. :-)

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