Country:
District:
Departure from Vogüé from the recently paved cycle path, near the holiday village: on the D579 coming from Aubenas and Saint Sernin, at the crossroads with the D114 which turns right towards Lanas, turn left towards Domaine Lou Capitelle, and before the bridge over the road, turn left up to the public car park at the start of the greenway and the entrance to an old tunnel.
(S/E) Take the cycle/pedestrian path towards Vogüé-Gare. It crosses the Ardèche, the D579A, then the D103 and the Auzon.
(1) Continue along this road to reach the D579.
(2) Cross the road carefully. Follow the route of the old railway line, which was not yet developed in early 2017. A cutting bypasses Saint-Maurice-d'Ardèche, then the route follows the D579. After the large viaduct, opposite the hamlet of Les Salles, the route curves sharply to the left. On the straight stretch that follows, look for a signpost for hikers.
(3) BE CAREFUL not to go down the D579, even though the sign indicates the direction of Balazuc. Instead, take the wide path on the left, which becomes paved and runs alongside the old railway line, with a ditch separating the two. Continue south and pass in front of the old Balazuc station.
If you miss the point (3) and find yourself in front of the tunnel entrance (you can take it, but it's another hike...), a steep slope on the east side of the embankment will take you to the point (4).
(4) Turn right at the bridge over the old railway line and follow it. At the junction of the D294 and D579, take the D294 opposite and follow it to Chazotte. Take Rue de la Croisette to reach the bottom of Balazuc.
(5) Avoid the main entrance as much as possible and head back up to the old village of Balazuc via the old medieval streets. At the exit, rejoin the D294 and cross the bridge over the Ardèche.
(6) After the bridge, turn right, follow the Ardèche river and reach the hamlet of Servière.
(7) Go up to the left between the houses and follow the signs for Lanas on the right along the river (yellow and white markings). The path follows limestone slabs, initially at a good height, then descends in steps to the water's edge.
(8) Pass above the Grotte des Estinettes.
(9) When you see a gate covered with reeds, ignore the yellow/white sign that climbs up the hills and simply go around the edge of the Domainzeau house on the left and above it. Continue along the wide track along the riverbank to reach the village of Lanas.
(10) Cross the village to return to the banks of the Ardèche, follow them and arrive at the crossroads with the Lanas road, at a place called Pradeloup.
(11) Take this road (D114) on the right to reach the junction with the RD579.
(12) Cross carefully and take Rue du Pigeonnier opposite, heading towards the holiday village, to return to the starting point (S/E).
The rain caught us by surprise, so we listened to Lanas. A beautiful village worth seeing.
Visorando member
Easy 
