Circular route starting from Saint-Thomé

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This walk takes you up to the heights of Saint-Thomé with a beautiful view of the valley.

Details

n°12701461
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 778 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 781 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,198 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 413 ft
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Photos

Descent from the plateau
Viewpoint
Valgayette
Route de Basse Valgayette

Description of the walk

Park on the D362 road at the start of a small path.

(S/E) Turn left onto the Route de Gras, then 150m further on, turn left again. Keep left onto the Route de Basse Valgayette at the next junction. Cross the River Négue quickly via a ford. Then follow the river along its right bank to reach the crossroads in the hamlet of Basse Valgayette.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the road, leaving the hamlet on your right. Cross the Ruisseau de Valentière stream and then pass through the hamlet of Le Vignal to reach the hamlet of Valagayette.

(2) Continue by turning left onto the uphill road; stay on this road until you reach a crossroads at a hairpin bend.

(3) Leave the road and take the path branching off to the left. Stay on this wide path until you reach the hamlet of Gandaubert. Enjoy the beautiful view over the valley here.

(4) Continue on to pass under a power line, then walk almost level to reach a crossroads just before a road.

(5) Take the first path on the left, continue through the woods, pass under the power line again and shortly afterwards you’ll come to a crossroads.

(6) Stay on the left-hand path and continue the descent via a few hairpin bends to reach a crossroads in the hamlet of Jausseron.

(7) Turn left, follow the River Négue along its right bank until you reach the next ford.

(8) Cross the river and you will soon rejoin the D362 road and the spot where you parked your car (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 433 ft - Small car park. Towards the ford on the - Nègue (rivière) - Affluent de l'Escoutay
  2. 1 : mi 0.89 - alt. 515 ft - Crossroads towards Basse Valgayette
  3. 2 : mi 1.94 - alt. 676 ft - Valgayette
  4. 3 : mi 2.82 - alt. 1,079 ft - Crossroads with hairpin bend
  5. 4 : mi 3.7 - alt. 1,145 ft - Point de vue de Gandaubert
  6. 5 : mi 4.88 - alt. 1,198 ft - Crossroads before the road
  7. 6 : mi 5.85 - alt. 1,040 ft - Crossroads after the power line
  8. 7 : mi 6.48 - alt. 423 ft - Jausseron
  9. 8 : mi 6.77 - alt. 430 ft - Ford
  10. S/E : mi 6.87 - alt. 430 ft - Small car park

Notes

No water sources or refreshments.

Worth a visit

Swimming is possible at the Trou du Consul at the end of your hike

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.4 / 5
nicoprad
nicoprad
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Start of the walk -> not worth it (100% tarmac, 0% shade).
The rest of the way: a wide path, not bad

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User 10161196

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Insufficient starting point

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User 3926546

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This walk begins with several kilometres along a road (which is fairly quiet, even though tourism is unfortunately starting to boom in the Ardèche...) and alternates between open and shaded sections. The ‘climb’ is fairly gentle and easy going. The main part of the walk, on a plateau, is quite varied: between vineyards and woodland. Then comes the descent... which is not only steep but also quite treacherous as the rocks roll underfoot. Walking poles are essential! Then – and this is quite unusual – you finish the walk by crossing private property

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Francoisroelens
Francoisroelens

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The final descent is very treacherous, not to say dangerous, with sections of over 30% gradient on what looks like a scree slope, and ends with a crossing of private property that is strictly off-limits!!!
Not suitable for a group of moderately experienced hikers.
The ford is impassable at this time of year; you should use a bridge 300 m further down.

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morilles
morilles

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

A pleasant walk, but it starts with 5.3 km of road and ends with a steep descent (203 m over 1 km). The elevation gain is significantly underestimated. A trail marker is essential.
Start: to be more precise, “coming from St Thomé, turn left off the D262 at the Basse Valgayette sign; park immediately on the right; head right towards Basse Valgayettre and stay on this road all the way to point 2, leaving the hamlet of Valgayette on your left

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