From one side of the upper Ardèche valley to the other

See Practical Information for the starting point.

(S/E) Walk down to the small road below. Follow it to the right, then turn left at the junction to cross first a recent footbridge, then the old Bouix bridge.

(1) Continue to the right after the bridge towards Champ Hagot. Keep to the right after the hamlet, follow the path which crosses a stream and then returns to run alongside the Ardèche further up the slope. Carry on to the Pont du Sigadou.

(2) As you approach the bridge, take the path that winds steeply uphill to the left. Follow this steep climb until you reach a forest track.

(3) Follow this wide track to the right as it descends gradually, passing a water intake and crossing the Abraham stream. Leave the start of the path to the Rocher d’Abraham on your left and head down to the right towards the hamlet of La Motte.

(4) On reaching the hamlet, take the small path on the right, then the steps to the left of the houses and continue down to the N102.

(5) Follow the N102 to the right (the side with some pavements) for 800 m. Take care: heavy traffic, including many lorries.

(6) Cross with care to reach the first car park on the left. Enter the village via the street set back from the main road. Go up the steps marked ‘Sentier botanique’. Follow this nature trail, which climbs gradually to the east of the village before turning north. You’ll reach the tarmac road at the hamlet of Le Pouget.

(7) Continue northwards along this small road. Pass the next hamlet (Les Granges) and leave the road 150 metres further on, before the descent to the stream, onto a path that climbs to the left. Keep heading north. At the tarmac road, head down to the right to the bridge over the La Farre stream.

(8) Walk down the road to Le Bouix.

(9) Take care. Turn left onto the N102. Cross the road to reach the car park (S/E).

Starting point:
- Coming from Thueyts via the N102 towards Barnas, after Chaudons, at the place known as Le Pont du Saut, look out for a widening on the left, just after the bridge. Due to the solid line, turn round at Barnas using the car park on the right-hand side of the road.
- Coming from Barnas, after the hamlet of Le Bouix, park on the right-hand side of this widening just after the sign for the place known as Le Pont du Saut.

Sturdy walking boots are essential.

Paths, landscapes, woodland and typical Ardèche hamlets.

Streams and bridges in the Ardèche mountains.

Beautiful views over this stretch of the Ardèche valley.

In the hamlet of Les Ayvidés, there is a beautiful carved gateway (it is possible to walk round the hamlet at the bottom).