Balazuc walks

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.

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!

A peaceful walk with no sporting challenges, through varied landscapes, a hamlet with beautiful houses and spectacular architecture, an easy climb up to a ledge with splendid views of the Ardèche. Return by wandering through the narrow medieval streets of old Balazuc with its craft shops May 2019. Thanks to Pb07 for helping me correct the route 624 May 2025. User comment: In the description, ignore the colours of the house and shutters, which have changed

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An easy hike on a limestone plateau with few trees. Beautiful views of the Ardèche valley and the surrounding mountains.

Discover the flora and, if you're lucky, the fauna, as well as the built heritage. This hike can be adapted to suit your preferences by following well-marked trails.

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.

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.

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. :

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.

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.

Between Baume, Ardèche and Ligne, vast stretches of stony ground have been and are still partly cultivated, with olive trees now reigning supreme. The former silkworm farms have now been converted into homes but retain their old-world charm. Along the river, hanging gardens are still maintained and clearly visible on the banks on the sunny side of La Baume. The Ardèche and Chassezac rivers have created a vast plain where vineyards, fruit trees and gardens occupy the space.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is a long hike that follows the Baume, first along the ledge on its left bank, then high up on its right bank (Falaise de Lunel). The final section, after point (21) , requires a lot of attention as the path entrances are often somewhat hidden, but after (23), the view is magnificent. From (12), you are in the middle of the heath and it can get very hot. I recommend setting off at dawn and taking plenty of drinks with you.

This walk takes place almost entirely on the Plateau des Gras, a limestone plateau pierced by karstic caves, rather arid on the western side and more wooded on the eastern side. It will also give you an original view of the village of Vogüé, an old quarry whose stones were exported as far as Paris and, if you look carefully, the remains of dolmens.

This hike will take you through an enchanting forest above one of the region's large underground water networks, which can be seen in several places: in an underground cistern, at the bottom of a karstic cave, in the bed of an almost dry river, or at a resurgence. You will also see one of the most beautiful dolmen sites in southern Ardèche. Please note that the Aven du Reméjadou is extremely dangerous.

This short hike offers beautiful views of the Ardèche plain, from Saint-Sernin to Aubenas. As a bonus, you can search for the remains of dolmens on the Serre Bastel, a treasure hunt that will delight children. On the way back, the trail passes by the Tour de Ville, the remains of a ruined castle that has unfortunately been abandoned.

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.

After crossing a forest that could have been used as a location for scenes from Tolkien's novels, the return to the ridge runs alongside a necropolis of dolmens.