Around the Rocher de Sampzon

de fr

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.

Technical sheet

n°1420629
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 220 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 219 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 333 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 126 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

The rock of Sampzon
Sampzon
The rock of Sampzon

Description of the walk

Car park at Le Rocher, under the orientation tables. Follow the white and yellow signs.

(S/E) Cross the road (take care) and turn right onto a dirt track that leads down through terraces of ancient olive groves. Continue down this winding path to the Bastide crossroads.

(1) Go left up the road and at the first crossroads turn right down a track that crosses the Ruisseau de Vallier.

(2) Follow the carriage road to the fork in the road.

(3) Keep to the right. The path goes deep into the undergrowth, then continues along a path that climbs steeply to a new junction.

(4) Go straight ahead on a wide track, following the white and red markings to the next crossroads.

(5) Continue on the same path until you reach a crossroads where you leave the GR®4and follow the white and yellow markings straight on.

(6) After 200m, leave the carriage road and take the pretty path on the right, which offers a superb view of the Ardèche. Further on, the path rejoins the carriageway.

(7) Keep to the right on this track, which joins the road in a hairpin bend.

(8) Take the road to the left, go through the village and find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 284 m - Parking du Rocher
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 126 m - Left at the road
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 133 m - Vallier stream
  4. 3 : km 2.67 - alt. 158 m - Sampzon branch or return (variant)
  5. 4 : km 4.28 - alt. 333 m - Path opposite
  6. 5 : km 5.18 - alt. 319 m - Crossing, straight on
  7. 6 : km 5.68 - alt. 292 m - Path on the right. Superb view of the - Ardèche
  8. 7 : km 6.17 - alt. 280 m - Carriageway
  9. 8 : km 6.79 - alt. 281 m - Left towards the village
  10. S/E : km 7.01 - alt. 283 m - Parking du Rocher

Practical information

Bring water and a hat in hot weather.

(S/E) From the car park, you can climb up to the Rocher for a magnificent view of the village.

(3) At this point, you can shorten the route by taking the path on the left that joins the (7) and then the starting point.

In the nearby area

Take the time to visit the village and go as far as a breathtaking viewpoint over the valley.

Take the path up to the Rocher, but be careful not to go over the fence at the bottom of the rock - it's dangerous! Beautiful view over the Ardèche.

 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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 21 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
gwenzilla
gwenzilla

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike with magnificent views. Done in the late afternoon, I strongly recommend you do this and wait for the sun to set, it will be a magnificent panorama!
Keep an eye out for wild orchids!
It's true that the climb I mentioned is steep, but apart from that it's not difficult.

Automatically translated
denisvallee
denisvallee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pretty and pleasant.

Automatically translated
clocoll
clocoll

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk, but the route is not always easy to follow.
Indication of a path to take to the right when it is to the left or vice versa.
Crossing the stream 1 time when you should have crossed it 3 times...
To be reviewed
Otherwise, the views of the Ardèche river and the rock are magnificent.

Automatically translated
Laurent.GIRAUD
Laurent.GIRAUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice little hike, done on 14/06/2024.
After a descent on a more or less stony path, we climb up the side of a valley on a quiet dirt track, then on an increasingly steep path (very steep in places just before point 4!!!).
Very quiet, lots of birdsong in the forest, it's relaxing!
After point 4, forest track.
Don't miss the path at point 6 for the view over the valley.

You can start the hike at the Château de Sampzon luxury gîtes (point 1), which saves you having to drive up to the top (small, winding road).

Automatically translated
Jeanda25
Jeanda25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I did this walk at the beginning of May during the week, and there weren't many people on this route, which offered some magnificent views.
I can confirm that although there are no major difficulties, the start of the descent is stony and the climb that follows is very steep but on a dirt track.

Automatically translated
Jeanda25
Jeanda25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I did this walk at the beginning of May during the week, and there weren't many people on this route, which offered some magnificent views.
I can confirm that although there are no major difficulties, the start of the descent is stony and the climb that follows is very steep but on a dirt track.

Automatically translated
LittleCherry10
LittleCherry10

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Well-marked walk with beautiful views. The uphill section after the stream, however, is fairly steep, so take care if it has rained the days before, as it can be quite slippery. Otherwise, the rest of the walk is easy and accessible. We were just unlucky on our side with the end of the hike taken by hunters; even if they are careful, it's quite unpleasant to hear gunshots close to you.

Automatically translated
fradar01
fradar01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant route with beautiful views. We did it in 25/30 degree weather, which was no problem, especially as almost half the walk is shaded. Perfect description. One section was about 500m steeper, but no problem for trained walkers. I recommend it without reservation.

Automatically translated
Marie93220
Marie93220

The walk is fairly well signposted.
We did it on a day when it was quite hot. A large part of the walk is not covered, so be careful, cover your heads and take at least a litre and a half of water.
Part of the route is very steep. It was very difficult for us, as we're not really used to hiking. Our cardio took a beating and we couldn't see the end of the hill.
But finally, after a lot of physical effort, we arrived at a magnificent viewpoint. That was our reward.
I recommend this hike, but only if you're reasonably fit.

Automatically translated
Sirkis59
Sirkis59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Super hike
A nice climb but without any rocky difficulties
Superb views
200% recommendation

Automatically translated
pauleetpierre
pauleetpierre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

All the directions are correct.
Nice tour.

Automatically translated
Mononi
Mononi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice route, except that the start from the car park is badly signposted. As for the number of visitors, we're talking about a hike we did on 13 January, so it was quiet despite the very, very fine weather.......

Automatically translated
ROGER GRANGE
ROGER GRANGE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route, but a little difficult on the first climb after the stream, to be avoided if you have heart problems...
The walk takes 2 hours if you don't go up to the rock, the 2 hours 50 minutes are a bit long.
Otherwise, a pleasant route in the morning, with a shady climb and few roads (done in the order shown on the map).

Automatically translated
herve3401
herve3401

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb hike offering magnificent views from the village of Sampson.
The climb is steep between (3) and (4) but well worth the effort.
We set off from the D111 and did the loop in the direction suggested. I'd recommend it. You'll finish with the view from Sampzon and a very pleasant descent.
Thank you for sharing this hike

Automatically translated
preynaud
preynaud
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk in fine weather (be sure to bring drinks if it's very hot).
A few stony sections at the start. A nice climb on the way back, fortunately mostly in undergrowth.
Great views over the valley.
It's a shame, however, that the presence of the radio aerial detracts from the beauty of this rocky peak.

Automatically translated

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.