Coucouron walks

When it gets too hot in southern Ardèche, hiking in fine weather on the Ardèche plateau can be a good idea. This circular loop starting from a local centre mostly follows farm tracks or small roads, with beautiful views of the volcanic knolls in places.

A magnificent discovery of the wild Loire and its tributary, the Orcival, hidden at the foot of Issarlès, with pretty pools, beautiful waterfalls and basalt cliffs. A short and easy hike, but one that still requires good footwear and a minimum of agility to navigate the sometimes slippery slabs along the banks of the Loire.

Tour of Lake Issarlès, with its clear waters, in the ancient crater of a volcano.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

This is the 4th stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage marks the transition from the Pays des Puys du Velay, with its open, hilly landscapes, to the Gévaudan, with its more enclosed landscapes and deep woodlands. The route follows the GR®70 (Red and White waymarkers).

This is a lovely walk with many views of Lake Issarlès from the Col de Gage and the Suc de Cherchemuse in particular, as well as the confluence of the Gage and the Loire and the surrounding mountains. The diverse landscapes will allow you to discover the richness of the Ardèche plateau: lava flows, wild raspberry bushes, volcanic rocks, Scots pines, beech trees, larch trees and more.

A circular route for exploring the pretty Orcival valley, one of the first tributaries of the Loire. Part of the route is on a very quiet little road through the forest. Very pretty views of the Mézenc plateau.

A beautiful circular hike, full of panoramic views, to discover the western part of the Mézenc plateau, with the Orcival, a tributary of the Loire, as your guide. Sometimes high up with the knolls as your horizon, sometimes flowing with the torrent as your guide, this is a hike in the heart of authentic Mézenc. Please note that this route includes a section of approximately 400 m across pastures, off the beaten track, as well as several fords across the torrent. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

A lovely hike with little elevation gain. In the distance, the peaks of Mézenc. Alternating meadows, pretty hamlets and forests. Château de Vachères at the start.

A long walk alternating between panoramic views and beautiful woodland, discovering the Rocher Tourte, the water tower for the neighbouring villages, but also a playground for climbers in summer and sled dogs in winter.

At the confluence of three streams, the Gage, the Sagne-Morte and the Tauron, EDF built a dam known as the Gage dam (Moulin de Peyron on IGN maps) in the 1950s to supply the Montpezat-sous-Bauzon power station. I suggest you take a tour of the dam starting from Cros-de-Géorand, following a hiking route suggested by La Montagne Ardéchoise. You will discover magnificent landscapes as well as paths through beech woods that are over a hundred years old.

The point of interest on this route is linked to the history of the Transcévenole, an old railway line, and the Récoumène Viaduct. It also offers beautiful views of the region.

This hike offers beautiful views of the Naussac Reservoir and the Rac de Langogne, and you can discover the small Donozau waterfall along beautiful paths.

Panoramic walk around Freycenet-la Cuche with views of Mont Mézenc.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).

This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.

In Haute-Loire, in the "midlands" of Auvergne, starting from Le Monastier sur Gazeille, take a walk in the French "highlands", as R. L. Stevenson called them in 1878 when he stayed in Le Monastier before embarking on his journey that took him to Saint-Jean du Gard in 12 days with his donkey Modestine.

Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.

Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.

An ideal place for a walk, Lac du Bouchet is reminiscent of a Canadian lake. A real gem in its forest setting, this circular lake of volcanic origin occupies the site of an ancient crater. The suggested route allows you to walk around it. It is a very easy walk that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

A beautiful circular along a very pretty trail offering splendid views of the valley, the village of Mayres and the mountain range on the opposite side for most of the climb. A superb panorama awaits us at the summit, where we can see the Mézenc and Gerbier de Jonc, among others. Further in the distance, the Alps stand out in the background.

This very demanding route climbs steeply through the undergrowth on the high plateaus. From up there, the landscape over the Tanargue, directly above Mayres, takes on a whole new dimension. The descent back to the starting point is just as steep.

A very pleasant hike through meadows and woods, the latter being very diverse. There are many landscapes and viewpoints, notably over the Mercoire forest and the Moure de la Gardille. All seasons are interesting: spring with its rushing rivers, summer with its refreshing forests, autumn marked by a symphony of colours.

You are at the heart of the Ardèche. View of the Cevennes and the Gerbier de Jonc.