Cirque de la Malarce in Naves

de fr

Short circular loop in a cirque near the charming village of Naves, next to Les Vans. You can combine this outing with the Cirque du Bourdaric. A great outing for geology enthusiasts.

Details

n°32886131
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 204 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 207 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 467 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 257 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Naves cemetery.

(S/E) Walk along the right-hand side of the cemetery and climb towards Serre du Cocu to reach the observation point on the cirque outcrop. Read the information panel. Admire the view over the Chassezac valley and the church in Les Salèlles.

(1) Continue left, heading west towards Les Alauzas. Further on, the path turns south, crosses a track and joins a cross path.

(2) Turn left, heading due east, and descend towards Naves through a beautiful chestnut grove, but be careful: picking the fruit is prohibited! Admire the dry stone walls. Leave the undergrowth on a path overlooking the Bourdaric. Take care on this rather steep path and arrive at Naves.

(3) Stroll through the streets of this charming village with its beautifully restored and well-maintained architecture. Return to the cemetery via a road and find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 263 m - Cemetery car park
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 323 m - Geological observation
  3. 2 : km 1.6 - alt. 467 m - Arrival in the chestnut grove
  4. 3 : km 3.02 - alt. 277 m - Naves
  5. S/E : km 3.59 - alt. 263 m - Cemetery car park

Notes

Drinking water available near the public toilets by the church.
Avoid during hot weather or after heavy storms.

Worth a visit

Read the various information panels.
This hike can be combined with the Cirque de Bourdaric hike from Naves.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
jeanmarcurvoy
jeanmarcurvoy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful and varied route.
Be careful, though: there is a narrow passage along a steep slope with nothing to hold on to (good balance required) and a few steep sections.

Machine-translated

User 26066231

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Excellent hike! Breathtaking scenery. A bit steep at the start and cliffs, but perfectly doable for beginners like me.

Machine-translated

b;feyfant
b;feyfant

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. Varied landscapes, between rocks, chestnut groves and a visit to the beautiful village of Naves.

Machine-translated

pvimeux
pvimeux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part is steep, but don't be put off by the "danger" sign – just take care! However, those who suffer from vertigo should be cautious.

The second part descends through a pretty, shady chestnut grove.

The third part overlooks another cirque with superb views.

Don't forget to take a stroll through the pretty little village of Naves.

Machine-translated

potamo
potamo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

pleasant stroll

Machine-translated

Christian21
Christian21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, varied walk with stunning views and geological points of interest. The first part, uphill in the sun, with some steep sections (but don't be put off by the sign at the start: danger!), is the most challenging. The second part, in the shade of the chestnut grove, is very pleasant, and finally the last part, overlooking another cirque, offers beautiful views. Personally, I would rate it as "moderate" rather than "easy", and it took us 2 hours and 20 minutes, plus 15 minutes to visit the beautiful village of Naves. It must be said that we are 70 years old and took our time.
highly recommended.

Machine-translated

Kyo
Kyo

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Steep passages, caution advised for those who suffer from vertigo and rolling stones.

Machine-translated

Jdumon50
Jdumon50

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, accessible short hike alternating between sunny stretches and wooded sections. The scenery is magnificent and the paths are lined with wildflowers, including lots of thyme. Very pleasant.

Machine-translated

Rhéa25
Rhéa25
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, quick and beautiful circular route. Varied landscapes, including rocks, chestnut groves and the beautiful village of Naves.
An easy route, you just need good shoes as there are quite a few stones, but it's so beautiful!

Machine-translated

-Clara-
-Clara-

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with quite varied landscapes (sedimentary rocks, panoramic views, chestnut groves, ammonite fossils, etc.). There is more shade in the second third of the walk.

Machine-translated

Deud55
Deud55
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part (ascent) was quite difficult in the bright sunshine at the start of summer. The second part, which is well shaded, is more pleasant. We visited the very pretty village of Naves before returning to the starting point.

Machine-translated

jpr0205
jpr0205

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely outing after visiting the village of Naves.

Machine-translated

Jerrygar
Jerrygar

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not recommended for people prone to vertigo.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking From garrigue to Cévennes shale landscapes, departing from Les Vans

Visorando member
De la garrigue aux schistes cévenols au départ des Vans
↔9.93 km ↗+442 m ↘-446 m ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
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.

Walking Serre de Barre from Brahic

Visorando member
Le Serre de Barre depuis Brahic
↔6.78 km ↗+429 m ↘-424 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
This is an easy hike that takes you to the summit of the Pays des Vans at an altitude of 910 metres. Beautiful 360-degree panoramic views.

Walking Submersible bridges and Serre du Cocu

Visorando member
↔13.53 km ↗+472 m ↘-478 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gravières (Ardèche)
A circular with varied landscapes that uses the beautiful paths created and maintained by the municipality of Gravières.This route is impossible in heavy rain as the Chassezac river can cover La Pontière. On 29 May 2024, there was quite a lot of water at La Pontière, but it was still possible to cross (I preferred to take my shoes off anyway). The weather forecast is looking better, so conditions should improve.

Walking The upper Ganière valley and the Sentier du Facteur

Visorando member
La haute vallée de la Ganière et le Sentier du Facteur
↔11.66 km ↗+672 m ↘-664 m ◔5h 15 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
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.

Walking The Païolive Woods

Visorando member
Le Bois de Païolive
↔9.16 km ↗+155 m ↘-152 m ◔3h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
Discover a particularly interesting wood above the town of Les Vans.Comments about this route: I did this route in 2013, and it turns out that some signs have been added since then (signposts and probably markings), which is to be expected. Hikers can then explore other trails but will always find something unique and interesting in this remarkable wood, with no chance of getting lost.

Walking From the Rochers de Païolive to the resurgences of the Ruisseau de Granzon

Visorando member
Des Rochers de Païolive aux résurgences du Ruisseau de Granzon
↔12.68 km ↗+171 m ↘-162 m ◔4h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
This unmarked route, which sometimes even leaves the trails, requires an IGN map and GPS, and leads to remote and wild areas of the Bois de Païolive and the upper part of the Ruisseau du Granzon.

Walking The Bois de Païolive (small loop)

Visorando member
Le Bois de Païolive (petite boucle)
↔5.15 km ↗+78 m ↘-78 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
The Païolive forest is an ancient forest in the south of the Ardèche, occupied since prehistoric times, with a remarkable geological context and biodiversity. It overlooks the Chassezac gorges. In this karstic landscape, there are numerous zoomorphic rocks, a multitude of trails and viewpoints, not to mention many caves. Much of the walk is shaded. Really very nice.

Walking Circular loop through the Bois de Païolive and Ruisseau du Granzon

Visorando member
Grande boucle Bois de Païolive et Ruisseau du Granzon
↔16.42 km ↗+216 m ↘-212 m ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
After crossing the Bois de Païolive, the route follows the Ruisseau du Granzon. After climbing out of the canyon, the return journey is via the plateau. An enchanting route and landscape. The use of GPS and the Visorando app may be necessary.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.