Bessèges walks

This is a challenging hike that allows you to discover different aspects of the southern Cévennes countryside, passing through forests and superb panoramas, as well as villages and hamlets. The climb from Robiac to the Chapelle Lacham is challenging, with some steep sections, but the scenery is well worth the effort. The descent from the chapel to Saint-Florent-sur-Auzonnet is also challenging, due to the large unstable rocks typical of the Cévennes over much of the descent.

A short hike with no major difficulties, but best avoided during hot weather. The elevation gain is low, and overall the paths are not too difficult and are often marked in yellow. It is possible to descend to the Cotepatière resurgence and back, preferably after rain, otherwise it is dry. I am providing the details of the "les résurgences" hike, which you walk along for a while.

Une randonnée proposée par le Parc Naturel des Cévennes. Le sens de la randonnée a été inversé pour éviter une fin de parcours en forte côte, et très chaude.

One of the most beautiful routes in the Vans region, both in terms of scenery and heritage. Balcony paths, chestnut groves and drying rooms, a gold-bearing river, low walls and beehives carved into chestnut tree trunks: everything invites you to discover this enclave of the Ardèche and its hamlets, which were once only accessible on foot. Be careful, there are steep and very steep ascents and descents. Allow 5 hours for the route, plus extra time for wandering around.

The Granzon stream canyon is a magical place that tour operators won't take you to. Go there, but don't tell anyone... The return route is via the plateau and a small road. Those allergic to tarmac may prefer to do a round trip.

This 10km circuit can be done in either direction. Apart from the ascent from the Pont d'Abbeye, the walk is mainly along ridge lines between 850 and 950 meters and offers exceptional panoramic views of the Cevennes in all directions.

Contrasting landscapes between the southern scrubland and the deep gullies in the clay-limestone marl. Fossil footprints, botanical path, abrupt change of vegetation between limestone strata and Cevennes shale, and return by a path overlooking the Chassezac river. Very pretty and picturesque village of Naves. That's what's on the menu of this spectacular hike which takes you around the west of Les Vans.

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.

Explore a particularly interesting woods above the town of Vans.

A beautiful loop that allows you to discover the Chassezac Gorges with passages at river level and others on the heights with beautiful views. For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of exploring caves. And to wash off (depending on the season), you can relax in the river. Ideal for children, although the cliff passages require parents' full attention.

This hike will take you on paths through preserved scrubland and protected in a Natura 2000 zone. Its strong points: a village and a medieval castle overhanging fields of olive-trees and panoramas to take your breath away!

A magnificent hike amid broom and granite boulders. Beautiful descent between the ridge and the village of Vialas. Superb ridge trail along the impressive Trenze rock face.

Following good paths through holm oak trees, this hike will take you to the ridges of the Grospierres hills with beautiful views, sometimes towards the Basse Ardèche on the south side, sometimes towards the mountains on the north side. On the way back, you can see the Notre-Dame des Songes chapel, the abandoned village of Chastelas and the Font Vive resurgence with its green water.

A magnificent hike in the Cévennes, mostly on trails through chestnut and arbutus trees.

A beautiful loop in the Cévennes, 99% on trails. Varied terrain, diverse panoramas including the superb 360° view of Montcalm from the heights of Alès. For me, this is the most beautiful loop to do in less than 3 hours near Alès. There is only tarmac on the street where you park, and the terrain is very varied (pine and oak forests), with trails ranging from narrow, steep and technical to wide, open tracks, with fords, beautiful views and the most beautiful panorama in the area: it has everything!

Here too, in the Lozère region, a 360° summit bears the cartographer Cassini's famous name. Did he ever see, this cartographer, the map of this corner of Lozère? Perhaps not. On the other hand, this summit, which is easy to get to, offers a remarkable view, which can then be completed by a loop via the source of the Tarn river.

This is a long walk up the Paillère valley through the woods before fording the river. The climb back up to the Col de Rabusat ridge is easy, and the return via the GR® offers beautiful views of the Paillère valley to the west and the Cèze valley to the east.Use of the app is highly recommended.

A beautiful hike that takes you to the Guidon du Mont Bouquet, where you can admire the superb panorama of the Gard, the Ardèche and Lozère mountains, the Drôme and Mont Ventoux. Despite the numerous trails, it is not difficult to find your way, as the antennas at the summit serve as guides.

Stroll through the narrow streets of Les Puechs and Carnoulés, beautiful Cévennes hamlets, and discover panoramic views of the Cévennes with the scents of the heath, chestnut trees and green oak groves.. Be careful on rocky sections, which can be dangerous (3) and (6).

A walk to discover the hilltop hamlets of Saint-Sébastien-d'Aigrefeuille.

Thirteenth and final stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may involve significant changes to the GR®70 signposting, as Stevenson actually stopped at Saint-Jean-du-Gard on his journey. This last stage therefore allows you to return to a town where there are more means of communication to the starting point of the journey, while discovering the last foothills of the Cévennes.

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.

A stone's throw from the Gorges du Chassezac, this is an interesting short hike with the option of swimming at the end.

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.

In the heart of the Cévennes, a circuit along paved slanting streets and forest tracks, discovering the farmhouses and hamlets of the Camisards.

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 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.

From the medieval village of La Garde-Guérin, there is a steep descent into the Chassezac gorges, then a climb up to the opposite plateau and finally back to the village via the hamlet of Albespeyres.

Loop starting from La Garde-Guérin towards Lac de Villefort, crossing a wooded area then climbing back up to the medieval village via the Voie Régordane after skirting the northern end of the lake. 03/01/2024: Route modified between 1 and 3.

A lovely loop through the woods with several viewpoints.

A beautiful hike on and around Mont Bouquet. Magnificent views throughout the varied route. The route is very well signposted (yellow markings) until you reach Le Castellas, after which the signposting is a little less frequent.

A circuit that goes upstream along the Gardon de Mialet from Mas Soubeyran and passing the beautiful village of Mialet. This itinerary allows you to follow the river closely, with its meadows and bridges, but also to explore the slopes of the valley and to discover the beautiful hamlet of Aïgladines.

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.

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. :

This hike starts at Grand Altier and takes you to Le Fossat via a series of forest paths with varied atmospheres. The return journey is via another forest path that runs alongside a river and takes you over a pretty bridge. Please note that some sections are not cleared of undergrowth, so watch out for ticks, snakes, etc. Take a stick with you to defend yourself if necessary, but avoid interacting with them as much as possible. In addition, you will pass through some areas where herds of cows graze, so avoid interacting with them as well.