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Colombier (Loire) walks
The southern Pilat from Graix to La Perdrix
The Pilat massif on its southern slope with a passage at its highest point, the Crêt de la Perdrix.
Crêt de l'Oeillon from Saint-Sabin
A lovely hike in the Pilat hills offering 360° views of Pilat, the Alps, the Monts du Lyonnais and the Monts du Forez.
The Saint-Sabin chapel from Saint-Appolinard
Another original way to get to this beautiful viewpoint that is the Saint-Sabin chapel on a small bluff in the heart of the Pilat Park, pouring into the Rhône Valley, with some of the best views of the Alps and pre-Alps (especially across the south). At the chapel, many signs and indications tell the story of the place and its flora.
Tour of the Crêt de l'Aireiller
A short, varied tour in the Pilat Massif around the Crêt de l'Aireiller, with a 360° view from the Crêt de la Perdrix as the grand finale.
Le Crêt de la Perdrix from Les Gouttes
A very beautiful hike in the Pilat Massif. Beautiful views and varied vegetation. The section between (7) and (9) is a little more monotonous... In the right season, you can pick raspberries or blackberries.
Please note: there is no car park available at the start of this hike. It is possible to start it from the same place as this other hike in the area https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-le-c...
Towards the heights of Saint Sauveur-en-Rue to the west of Bourg-Argental
A hike west of Bourg-Argental, towards Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue, between the Déôme and Riotet valleys. Beautiful views at Ss Montchal and the Taillard Forest, to the east towards the Alps and to the north towards the Col de la République. A route alternating between very quiet roads and good paths and trails.
Variation around the Pilat ridges
This is a lovely hike for exploring the Pilat ridges, with superb panoramic views of the entire Alpine range. The route takes you through a variety of landscapes, from scree slopes to coniferous forests and heathland covered with heather and broom. In season, you can pick wild raspberries and blueberries.
This route offers a return via a less frequented path through a deciduous forest.
From Crêt de l’Oeillon to Crêt de la Perdrix
An easy hike along the ridges of Pilat linking three major summits, via trails through forests and moors. Along the way we discover magnificent views of the Alps, the Massif Central and the Rhône Valley.
Crest de L'Oeillon from Veranne
This hike takes you through several different landscapes in Pilat. It starts at the foot of the hills, rich in orchards, and reaches the highest point of the massif, where the view is spectacular.
Les Trois Dents from Véranne
This hike allows you to discover the Trois Dents rocks, which give this area of Pilat an alpine character and offer magnificent views. As an option, the Saint-Sabin chapel offers a beautiful view of the Véranne area. The Pilat Natural Park's signposts and directional signs will be a great help in following the route.
Loop on the heights of Mont Pilat
An easy walk to enjoy as a family. Very popular in summer, it is worth the detour to admire the panoramic view over the Alps and the summits of Mont Blanc, the Lyonnais mountains and the Giers valley, the Vercors massif and those of northern Vivarais. With a wealth of flowers in spring, you can gather bilberries in August and raspberries in September. Unless you choose to go ski touring or cross-country skiing here in winter.
The Pilat ridges from the shepherd's hut
Enjoy the atmosphere of northern Ardèche with this exceptional hike in the heart of Pilat. Pass through the main ridges of Pilat to discover breathtaking views and small steep paths.
Loop around Lake Ternay starting from Brossainc
A walk that leads along paths via the Col du Fayet to Lake Ternay, where you can, if you wish, enjoy the pleasant surroundings and take your lunch out of your rucksack.
The Crêt de la Perdrix from Chaubouret
Long snowshoe hike on the Pilat ridges.
Can also be done on foot if there is no snow.
Rochettes loop
A hike starting from Le Bessat, in the Pilat Regional Nature Park, offering unobstructed views of the Mont Blanc massif and then the Mézenc.
N.B. Hike not accessible in winter (area reserved for skiing).
The secrets of the Grand Bois
An easy walk in the forest, refreshing on summer days, in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park, to discover the somewhat secret sites of the Grand Bois.
The hillsides of Maclas
fairly easy hike on the foothills of Mont Pilat, facing it and the Rhône plain
A circular in Le Bessat via Les Grands Bois and Le Sapin Géant
The route takes you through forests of tall trees on the cross-country ski trails of the Bessat resort.
The Chirol Cross in Burdignes
A relatively easy walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Rhône valley, the Pilat and Ardèche mountains, and a superb view of the Alps on clear days.
Loop between Croix-de-Chirol and Boulieu-lès-Annonay
This is an easy, short walk on good stony paths. There are beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Tip: best done in mid-May when the broom is in bloom. Be careful, there is little shade, so avoid the hottest times of day.
The Polish maquis monument
This easy, short walk through the woods in the heart of the Grand Bois in the Pilat Regional Nature Park is a chance to remember a tragic event from the Second World War, around a small monument that has been somewhat forgotten as it does not appear on any maps.
Route updated on 18 July 2020.
Boucle au départ du Col de la République
a peaceful walk with no difficult sections but not recommended for young children or pushchairs, through forest, alongside ponds and numerous fields in the Pilat Park.
Update 20/08/25: photos added and details provided for the fork at point (7)
Update 15/07/2025: route modified between points (5) and (7) due to the gradual disappearance of the path on the western edge of the pond.
From Trois Croix to Chaussitre
Hike on the plateau from the Col de la République between Saint-Genest-Malifaux and Saint-Régis-du-Coin.
The Saut du Gier from the Col de la Croix du Planil
This is a fairly strenuous hike with beautiful views. If you wish, between (1) and (2), you can take a slightly easier route. The waterfall is worth the detour.
The dam route from Tarentaise
This hike will take you to the north face of the Pilat massif and the Mézenc plateau, with beautiful forest crossings. Enjoy the coolness of the two dams visited and climb a rock to admire the rugged landscape of the Gouffre d'Enfer.
The Mont Pilat loop from Doizieux
A long route along the panoramic ridges of Mont Pilat.
From La-Valla-en-Gier, circular through the discreet Ban valley and Le Bessat
Most of the hike is in the woods, which is very pleasant in summer. From La Valla-en-Gier, a pretty village that has retained its authentic character, take a small road and then a footpath to reach the Ruisseau du Ban stream, nestled at the bottom of a bucolic valley. The path runs alongside this stream for almost 3 km before climbing up to the Bessat plateau. TheGR®®42 trailtakes you to Le Bessat, a tourist village with low, squat houses reminiscent of the nearby Massif Central. The return journey is a descent through the woods.
Historic Pélussin and the Scie valley
This easy walk allows you to stroll around the beautiful village of Pélussin before heading into the wooded valley of the Scie stream.
It partly follows the Priel trail (Pelussin 1, yellow/white markings).
The Dentillon hut from Pelussin
This walk starts in Pelussin (in the heart of Pilat) and offers a gentle climb (just under 600m) to keep you in shape, rising steadily throughout. You will arrive at the Dentillon hut, with its arboretum and orientation table. You can then continue on to the 3 dents, which takes an additional 45 minutes and 250m of elevation gain.
Chatinais - Toissieu
This is a beautiful hike in the hills, offering superb views of the Rhône valley and the Alps, as well as the northern Vivarais mountains. On the way back to Annonay, the trail winds above the Cance valley before it becomes a gorge once you have passed Annonay.
The crossing of the ridges with broom in bloom in late spring will not leave nature lovers indifferent.
The Chemin du Tacot to the east of Pélussin
At the start and end of the route, this circuit follows the Tacot, a local railway line that connected the two sides of the Pilat Massif, the Loire and the Rhône, until 1930. Magnificent views of the Pilat Massif, but above all of the Rhône Valley and the Alps, with Mont Blanc visible on the left when the sky is clear. Most of the circuit is in the forest.
Bessey and its mysteries
An easy route to discover some of the attractions of the commune of Bessey in the Pilat Regional Nature Park.
Between Annonay and Burdignes
Climb and ramble along the ridges above Annonay. Beautiful view of the Alps and Pilat.
Mer de Glace - Toissieux
A short walk off the beaten track. Short but intense at the start, it follows paths that have almost been forgotten, including one along a cliff edge.
On the heights of Villevocance
A short, easy hike around Villevocance which, on a clear day, offers panoramic views of the Rhône Valley, the Alps, Burdignes and the Vocance Valley.
Loop around Montmiandon with a view of Annonay
This is a lovely little loop to enjoy Montmiandon, with a beautiful view of the Annonay basin. The elevation gain is low, but it offers a very pleasant view of Annonay. Much of the trail is in the woods, making it possible to do this loop even when it's hot.