Thines - Montselgues circuit

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A pleasant loop, first through chestnut trees and then along the Roman road on the plateau above Montselgues.

Details

n°42569
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 655 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 647 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,081 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 477 m
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Arrival in Thines
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thines Valley
Thines

Description of the walk

Park your cars in the Terondel car park before the village of Thines.

(S/E) A hiking sign indicates Montselgues on the right. Stay on the lower road for about 50 metres before turning right onto theGRP® "Le Cévenol" trail marked RJ (red and yellow). Follow this trail to discover the hamlet of Tastevins.

(1) Walk uphill to discover the ruins of La Felgère.

(2) Continue along the path parallel to the road and the Montselgues stream to reach the houses of Boyer Bas.

(3) Then join the road and turn left to reach Montselgues.

(4) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the road on the right, then the path on the right opposite the car park (this is theGRP® "Tour de la Montagne Ardéchoise"). A sign indicates: "VersGR®4". Join theGR®4at the hamlet of Borie.

(5) Turn right, cross the D4 and head towards the hamlet of La Fouette.

(6) Continue on theGR®4, which is also the old Roman road. Arrive at the La Bombine lodge.

(7) Continue along this beautiful path, cross a small road at the Col de la Pierre Plantée and rejoin the D4 further on at the Col de l'Echelette.

(8) Cross the road and continue opposite on the GR®. Walk alongside the houses of Prévenchet before reaching the village of Thines.
Cross the village and turn left at the exit (signposted "Parking") to easily reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 485 m - Térondel car park. Close to the - Thines (rivière) - Affluent du Chassezac
  2. 1 : km 2.13 - alt. 628 m - Tastevins
  3. 2 : km 3.83 - alt. 804 m - Ruins of La Felgère
  4. 3 : km 4.87 - alt. 898 m - Boyer
  5. 4 : km 6.72 - alt. 1,024 m - Gîte de la Fage
  6. 5 : km 8.97 - alt. 996 m - Drystone shelter
  7. 6 : km 9.46 - alt. 1,036 m - La Fouette
  8. 7 : km 10.3 - alt. 1,048 m - Lodge at La Bombine
  9. 8 : km 14.09 - alt. 849 m - Col de l'Echelette (844m)
  10. S/E : km 17.87 - alt. 488 m - Térondel car park

Notes

There are no water sources along the route except in the village of Montselgues.

Worth a visit

The Roman road has a distinctive feature: a few stones that may be the milestones that Roman engineers used to mark the distance of one Roman mile (approximately 1,460 metres) between two such stones.
Thines

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ARDECHOU
ARDECHOU

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, which took me 5½ hours with my dog. Be careful when crossing a sheep park, as it is clearly stated that dogs must be kept on a leash.
If you're not familiar with it, I highly recommend it. It's classified as difficult, but it's very doable if you're a good walker. There's a climb of about 6 km, then the plateau and these wide open spaces, ending with a nice descent to Thine.
In spring, it's just divine with an incredible variety of plants and extraordinary views.
Best avoided in very hot weather.
Thanks to the author

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PANTEL FRANCIS
PANTEL FRANCIS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful path and route.

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ed102
ed102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful loop with lovely views. As an added bonus, there's a restaurant at the Auberge la Bobine du Frais du Bon.

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Aquacyclopode
Aquacyclopode

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with plenty of variety. There were two minor issues, one after the start and one at the farm below Montselgues. Thank you for the GPS track
Otherwise, we received a warm welcome at the bar in the village of Thines and enjoyed the trail back to the car park (with large old photos of villagers).

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talain26
talain26
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A big thank you to the author for this magnificent hike with varied landscapes and definite interest, given the diversity of attractions (landscapes, rivers, hamlets, flora and fauna, etc.). I recommend it for a glimpse of the rich Ardèche plateaus. The total distance is there, but there are no particular difficulties. The hike took 6 hours and 20 minutes, including time to stroll and observe. The village of Thines deserves a special mention

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gil.bad
gil.bad

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The landscape was too uniform throughout the hike, but fortunately we were able to observe six griffon vultures and a few kites. Not recommended in hot weather as it is very exposed.

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superyoda86
superyoda86

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, I highly recommend it! It took us 6 hours, but we are experienced hikers. We stopped in Thines to visit and in Montselgues for a coffee. Avoid this hike during hot weather as part of the climb is in the sun.

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sblanquet
sblanquet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb hike; sightings of griffon vultures and red kites.

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joorange
joorange

For food lovers, the farmhouse inn La Bombine (06 08 09 05 23) is recommended, preferably on a day other than the day of the hike.

And also, the Auberge de l'Aure in Montselgues (06 71 37 37 08)

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joorange
joorange

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Back on this path and still enjoying it as much as ever.
Only the length makes it a little difficult.
There are no technical difficulties: the climb is pretty cool, except perhaps for the steep section after Boyer Bas, and the descent to Thines is safe.
A word of advice: when you arrive in Thines, stay on the high ground. A narrow lane leads to the cemetery, which you cross to reach the church.
One small downside after lockdown: none of the shops were open.

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abeauville
abeauville

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. The descent to Thines and the climb back up to Montselgues are superb. We started from the Col de l'Echelette, which is easier to access if you are coming from Joyeuse or Lablachère.

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népalaise
népalaise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off from Montselgues and the return journey in the heat was a little difficult. Exceptional views and the village of Thine is worth seeing with its superb church
thank you

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yannis2607
yannis2607

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Correction: Park your cars at the Terondel car park before the village of Thines, go back down the road for 100 metres and turn right at the Tastevins sign onto the GRP marked trail.
A very beautiful hike, especially at this time of year (the flowers are in bloom and you can dip your feet and the rest of you in the Thine river)
Personally, I would recommend doing the circuit in reverse so that you can enjoy the streams in the afternoon.

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m30
m30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable

A beautiful hike that isn't difficult, with lovely landscapes and broom in bloom. A hike worth doing

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loupias
loupias

I downloaded some Visorando routes in the Ardèche region in preparation for a week of hiking I'm planning to do at the end of June.
So I can't give my opinion at the moment, but I have confidence in your expertise

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