Chauzon viewpoint, starting from La Digue Campsite

Park near La Digue campsite in Chauzon.

(S/E) Take the path towards the river. Join a wider track and follow it to the right. Stay on this track to reach the right bank of the Ardèche.

(1) Turn right onto the path running alongside the Ardèche, until you reach a junction with a wider track.

(2) Leave the riverbank and take this path, heading up towards Chauzon. You’ll reach the houses and then the road known as Chemin du Boudenac; follow it to the left, passing in front of the cemetery.

(3) At the junction by the Church of Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens, leave the church on your right and head straight on towards the village. At the first houses, cross Rue de la Calade and follow Chemin de la Font opposite, which skirts Chauzon to the south. You’ll come out onto Route des Blaches (D308); follow it to the left to reach the village exit at a lay-by.

(4) Take the Chemin du Cirque de Gens on the right, continue slightly uphill and, at the last houses, you’ll come to a crossroads with a dirt track.

(5) Take this track to the right; further on, you’ll come to a wider track which you should take to the left for about a hundred metres. You’ll then reach another crossroads.

(6) Turn right onto this path and follow it to make a wide circular loop through the Cirque de Gens above the Ardèche circular loop. After the climbing site, the path becomes rockier but does not really climb; it is mainly the start that is a little steeper. Proceed with caution: the ground may be slippery and there is a drop-off to the side. Follow the path to the next viewpoint.

(7) Turn right, then turn right again about a hundred metres further on onto the path leading to the climbing site. You’ll reach a fork.

(8) Keep to the right; the path is less clearly marked but there are cairns. Follow these to reach the junction at a new viewpoint.

(9) To reach it, take the path on the right: take great care as there is a significant drop-off. Then return to the main path and continue down the slope to the right towards Chauzon.

(10) Turn right to join Chemin des Traverses. Turn left, cross Route des Gras and take Chemin des Barlènes almost directly opposite.

(11) Follow the road to the left towards the village centre. Turn left onto Place de la Remon, continue along Rue Principale and reach a T-junction.

(12) There are two options here:
- first turn right then left to take the street that passes in front of the town hall, go past the town hall, then take Chemin des Digues to reach the car park near Camping de la Digue (S/E),
- keep left on the Ancien Chemin d’Uzer (the route chosen). Go round the small roundabout on the right and continue for a good hundred metres.

(13) Turn right onto the path and head towards Camping Beaussement.

(14) Continue along the right bank of the Ardèche, go round Camping le Coin Charmant and then head for the car park near Camping de la Digue (S/E).

(S/E) Near Camping La Digue, 860 chemin des Digues – 07120 Chauzon. Parking available at the campsite (depending on the time of year) or in the village of Chauzon.
Exposed sections: between (6) and (7) and especially (9): drop-off at the edge of the path. Take care with children and in wet weather.
The path is poorly marked between (8) and (9): follow the cairns and the trail on the ground.
Terrain: limestone paths, sometimes rocky and slippery; avoid in wet weather.
Season: fairly exposed route in the upper section; bring water in summer.

Village of Chauzon: a small Ardèche village with stone houses, narrow streets and trailheads.
Shortly after (6):^first viewpoint at the edge of the cliff. Lovely unobstructed view. Take care near the edge.
(6) A stunning viewpoint over the Défilés de Ruoms.
To the right of (9): a stunning viewpoint with a sheer drop. Anyone can go there, but you must be very careful at the edge.
Chauzon viewpoints: several successive viewpoints above the Ardèche, with panoramic views of the cliffs and meandering river.
Cirque de Gens: a large natural site formed by limestone cliffs above the river, very photogenic and also renowned for rock climbing.
Swimming/beaches along the Ardèche depending on the water level (Chauzon – Cirque de Gens area).