Thorrenc Castle - Lac de Vert

This hike will test your sense of direction, because nothing looks more like a dirt track than another dirt track.
A varied route with beautiful views of the Ardèche and Loire (Loire 42) peaks from the Vernos plateau.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 374 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 370 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 387 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 230 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available near the bridge and the town hall opposite the Auberge de Thorrenc.

(S/E) Cross the bridge and go up the road towards Solore (Pont Laval road), then take the road that goes up further to the left. A hundred metres further on, a path branches off to the left.

(1) Go up this path, which is protected by barriers preventing access to motorised vehicles. Cross the Pont Laval bridge over the old railway line, cross the road twice and continue along the Chemin de la Grande Côte, even if the red and yellow markings on a tree indicate that this is not the right direction. You will come to a junction with a tarmac road.

(2) Turn left (Chemin de la Pied Lecte), pass Les Grenières and then Pied Lecte. Continue along a path that descends through the undergrowth towards the Aygas stream. Ignore a path on the right, cross two streams, then climb back up to go around Mont Levier. Further on, pass under a high-voltage power line and arrive at a crossroads.

(3) Continue straight ahead and you will reach thefirst houses of L'Eterpas. Pass a path on your left.
When you reach the hamlet of L'Eterpas on a small road, continue along Rue de l'Aubépine, following the bend to the right. You will arrive at the junction with Rue du Tilleul.

(4) Turn left into the hamlet of L'Eterpas (white and yellow markings on the electricity pole), then at the fork take the middle path that veers to the left to take Rue de l'Eterpas le Bas, which is actually a road. At the left turn, continue straight ahead down the path towards the Eterpas stream. Cross the stream and go back up to reach the road (Rue de la Grande Vigne).

(5) Take it to the left, towards Révèlardon. Leave a path on the left. Cross Révèlardon, and at the end of the hairpin bend, note a dirt track on the left.

(6) Go down this path, which runs along the left side of the property. The path then bends to the left and then to the right, passes under the high-voltage lines and arrives at the railway bridge.

(7) Cross the bridge and then go up following the high-voltage power lines to a T-junction.

(8) Take the path on the right, cross the road (D370) towards Midon. Before entering Midon, a path branches off to the left. Lac de Vert is visible from here.

(9) Take this path downhill, cross the railway line and reach the lake shore. Walk along Lac de Vert, then turn left at the "Lac de Vert" hiking signpost. Climb up through the oak grove to the fork at the "Serguette" hiking signpost.

(10) Turn left towards Peillou, Les Grands Prés and leave a path on your left. Cross a small road, then turn left at the second road and continue for about 100 metres.

(11) Turn right onto the path that descends towards Thorrenc. Pass two paths on the right and return to the crossroads you encountered on the way there.

(8) Take the path in the opposite direction and head towards the bridge that crosses the old railway line.

(7) Just before the bridge, descend to the right. Here, put on chain mail for the brambles, your flippers for the streams or your boots for the mud.
Although the second half of this part of the route is very pleasant, it is clearly blocked. However, are these barriers intended for everyone or only for motorised vehicles and bicycles?
Follow the railway line, passing two bridges and a tunnel. Just after the large viaduct, go to the bridge that crosses the railway line at a stream.

(12) Climb up on the left to rejoin the Pont Laval road. Take this road on the right, then immediately right again, along the path you took on the way there, cross the small railway bridge and rejoin the small road to descend to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 230 m - Parking near the bridge and the Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.21 - alt. 252 m - Fork in the path leading up to the left.
  3. 2 : km 0.9 - alt. 365 m - Junction with the road. Turn left.
  4. 3 : km 3.09 - alt. 375 m - Crossing with a path
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 377 m - Fork in the road. Take the left fork, Rue du Tilleul.
  6. 5 : km 3.89 - alt. 367 m - Intersection with the road. Turn left.
  7. 6 : km 4.52 - alt. 354 m - Start of the dirt track.
  8. 7 : km 4.86 - alt. 326 m - Bridge over the railway line
  9. 8 : km 5.32 - alt. 363 m - Crossroads. Right.
  10. 9 : km 6.18 - alt. 384 m - Midon front fork. On the left.
  11. 10 : km 7.81 - alt. 357 m - "Serguette" hiking signpost
  12. 11 : km 9 - alt. 371 m - Fork in the road. Take the right.
  13. 12 : km 11.75 - alt. 290 m - Fork in the road. Take the left fork uphill.
  14. S/E : km 12.32 - alt. 231 m - Parking

Notes

There are very few signposts or marker posts, no markings to follow, so an IGN map is essential. Electricity pylons can be used as landmarks to help you find your way.
Remember to take a torch for the tunnel.
This hike can be unpleasant in winter if the ground is soggy and you don't like mud.
You are on a high plateau where the air from the Rhône valley meets the colder air from the Ardèche hinterland. This can cause strong gusts of wind in any season (Foehn effect).
As most of the hike is in open country, remember to protect yourself from the sun in summer.

Worth a visit

Lac de Vert is a pleasant spot for a short break sheltered from the wind.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
MONVOISIN MARIE
MONVOISIN MARIE

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At least 30% of the route, including the tunnels, crosses private property. We were stopped by someone acting on behalf of the owner, who asked us to turn back, even though we only had 1.5 km left to go.

It should be noted that there are no signs indicating that the property is private.

Crossing the tunnel is dangerous due to recent rock falls.

Perhaps this route should be removed from the app.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike on a beautiful autumn day.
However, the paths are still very muddy after the recent rains.
However, there is a small problem 200 metres after point 10, as the path is actually a stream and you have to wade through it. THIS SECTION SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF DRY WEATHER OR WITH BOOTS OR SHOES.

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philkikou
philkikou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Did this hike starting from Eterpas. No problems finding my way with the route on my phone. Pleasant and varied route, Thorrenc is worth a visit.

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toposrandos
toposrandos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pretty village; lovely walk and return trip via the original railway line!

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CAPAGOU26
CAPAGOU26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went hiking in autumn when the colours of the trees were magnificent.
A walk with almost no tarmac, so ideal for us. The climb at the start is a little steep, but this hike is very easy. We loved the return route along the old railway line. Walking through the tunnel in total darkness is very impressive!
Thank you for this route.

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overdrive38
overdrive38

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed after heavy rain before Ascension weekend. We followed the GPS track without any problems and without getting lost. Part of the path between points 10 and 11 follows the bed of a stream, which may be dry in summer but not at this time of year. However, if you take care, you can walk along the bank of this stream, dodging and balancing a little, but without any danger. It was a good hiking experience. When crossing the tunnel, make sure you have a torch or smartphone for safety. This hike is really enjoyable because the landscape is varied and very accessible. It's rare on a hike to be able to discover a tunnel, a small canyon, a picturesque village and a lake surrounded by diverse flora. Despite its length, it's a hike that's accessible for families

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THORAL
THORAL

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The village of Thorrenc is well worth exploring, as is the route of the old railway line that linked Péage de Roussillon to Firminy. The engineering structures are still in good condition, but the track bed is starting to be overgrown with vegetation, although it remains passable. The ground is wet when you step onto the old railway line due to spring water seeping in, which is no longer drained properly.
Lake at its maximum level.
Climbing site before crossing the viaduct.

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PG10
PG10

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk at the beginning of September. The first part is very pleasant and shaded, despite a slightly steep start. A special feature between points 3 and 4, just after crossing the Eterpas, is that the path crosses a small enclosed sheep park. The access gates are not locked, allowing you to pass through. Be sure to close them properly behind you.
The second part of the circuit is flatter and mostly exposed to the wind and sun, but has the advantage of offering a view of the horizon. Just one small disappointment: the lake is almost empty at this time of year. Finally, the return trip via the old railway line is, admittedly, a bit "wild", but far from the obstacle course that had been described, and it offers a superb view of Thorrenc and its castle from the viaduct.

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seb26140
seb26140

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

hike completed today, despite heavy rain on Friday (it's Sunday), there was no mud (nor brambles for that matter)
a very pleasant walk with no major difficulties, apart from the climb at the start of the village
be careful at the fork at point 8, as the sign is broken and therefore not visible. Who should this be reported to?
on the last section, you have to cross two barriers. Who is access prohibited to? Bring a good torch for the tunnel

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cocogermain
cocogermain

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and varied hike. We didn't get too hot on the plateau section because it was September. If it had been very hot, we could have shortened the hike by skipping the plateau. And we didn't encounter any mud or too many brambles!!! We were worried after reading the description. It is very accurate. Thank you.

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Fabrice0869
Fabrice0869

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

What a lovely hike! Starting from Thorrenc with its castle, then heading towards the lake, a nice place to relax, even if it was a bit noisy that day because of the motorbikes. The return to Thorrenc is great, with its viaduct and tunnel, really original. Thank you for this great route. No difficulty except for the climb at the start just outside Thorrenc. At the end it was dry so no mud, ooh mud ooh mud, and not too many brambles either.

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hiker38
hiker38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk through valleys and oak forests, accompanied by beautiful sunshine.
No mud or brambles!
The middle section on the plateau is only interesting for picnicking by the lake.
On the IGN map, it would be best to avoid putting A/D labels and numbers on the essential parts, as they become illegible.
It was great.

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Ruillet
Ruillet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

There were a dozen of us pensioners and we have no regrets about going on this hike. Lots of trails and different paths, with an interesting starting point. The weather was dry, which can be favourable for certain trails. The lake was almost at its lowest level, which gave it a special charm. Almost all of my companions wondered where I had "fished" such an exotic circuit. So I would like to thank its creator...
The bridges and viaducts, the tunnel, all of this adds interest and makes for beautiful photos.
Highly recommended

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cacahouetecb
cacahouetecb

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for this beautiful hike. Just don't forget your torch for the tunnels because you really can't see anything in there!!!

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