From one bank of the Bourges to the other between Burzet and Les Sausses

Superb trails and landscapes. Between Burzet and Les Sausses, on the left bank, the old Lachamp-Raphaël road is one of the most beautiful paved slanting streets in the Ardèche. On the right bank, on the way back, the old peatland road also has a wide, well-preserved paved slanting street under the chestnut trees and leads to the Roman road.

Details

1124813
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 215 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 211 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 713 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 538 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at Place du Temple in Burzet (first access on the right when arriving from the south). If it is full, there is a large car park on the right before the square.

(S/E) From the bottom of the square (west side), head to the left bank of the Bourges via the lower lanes, heading north-east, upstream from the bridge. After a private bridge, the old Peyreyres and Lachamp road climbs to the right.

(1) Follow the path to the hamlet of Les Sausses. Leave the path on the left via the street that passes under the hamlet.

(2) Take the first fork to the left downhill, follow the road to the D215 (Peyreyres road).

(3) Turn left downhill onto this road until you reach the Chastagnas bridge, which you can access via a staircase. Cross the bridge and continue to the first fork on the left.

(4) Take the path (marked yellow/red and yellow/white) that passes between the houses (watch out for the dog). Join the tarmac road at Sarralier (the markings pass between the houses, watch out for the dog; you can also pass under the hamlet). Continue to the Route des Peatlands, which you cross.

(5) Follow the path that climbs opposite. Join the old Route des Peatlands, which is wide and well paved slanting street (La Méjassole hiking sign), and follow it towards Burzet. Join the Chemin du Calvaire.

(6) At the road, turn opposite, go down Rue de l'Église, cross the bridge, take the street on the left after the small square to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 540 m - Place du Temple
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 564 m - Departure from Chemin des Sausses
  3. 2 : km 2.62 - alt. 702 m - Les Sausses
  4. 3 : km 3.47 - alt. 626 m - Junction with the D215
  5. 4 : km 3.83 - alt. 606 m - Chastagnas Bridge - Bourges (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 4.77 - alt. 619 m - Crossing the Route des Peatlands
  7. 6 : km 5.75 - alt. 555 m - Rue de l'Église
  8. S/E : km 6.14 - alt. 540 m - Place du Temple

Notes

The paths are good. Very few uneven sections. Hike accessible to families.

The hamlets are inhabited, so please respect the area and the inhabitants. There may be dogs.

Picking blueberries and chestnuts may be tempting, but it is prohibited and should be avoided. This is a valuable source of agricultural income for the inhabitants, necessary for the survival of these hamlets.

Shops, cafés and restaurants in Burzet during opening hours. Chalet du Ray Pic (café) in season, accessible by car.

Worth a visit

Admire the landscapes and typical hamlets that have not been abandoned and have retained their agricultural environment.

The trail between Burzet and Les Sausses is magnificent, especially the carefully maintained slopes of blueberry fields under the chestnut trees, with exceptional light effects in good weather.

In Les Sausses, allow a little extra time to explore the hamlet (beautiful buildings, wash house, etc.).

The Bourges valley, upstream, is quite steep-sided and the view extends to the Ardèche plateau towards Lachamp and the Ray-Pic volcano (viewpoint over the waterfall accessible by car).

The Bourges crosses the volcanic flow of the Ray-Pic volcano and you can see the basalt columns near the Chastagnas bridge and the Burzet bridge (waterfalls).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
RAMOND BERNARD
RAMOND BERNARD

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent route, the paved slanting street at the start of the climb is very pleasant, with little road traffic and few or no other walkers. I highly recommend it

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User 18277707

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike through the stunning landscapes of the Ardèche: chestnut groves, blueberry fields and magnificent valleys.

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Pierre Heiderscheid
Pierre Heiderscheid

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk with no difficulties. A very pleasant route, mostly shaded.

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jpvls
jpvls

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A rather pleasant short route that becomes even more interesting on the way back as you approach Burzet.
This village is well worth a visit.

Another plus is a visit to the Ray Pic waterfall, which is only a few kilometres from Burzet.

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kiki13710
kiki13710

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very nice little hike

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Yschwarzbach
Yschwarzbach

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and easy walk on well-maintained paved slanting street paths, often through woodland, ideal in summer. The presence of the stream below is a real bonus.

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Patsen
Patsen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A little hesitation in finding the start. After that, very good

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derque
derque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in the shade of chestnut trees. And a lovely spot for a swim in the village after all that effort! Thank you!

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val idee
val idee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

nice hike, but Strava says it's 8.8 km, so you don't prepare for it in the same way as if it were 6 km, but very nice

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giom22
giom22

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 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, partly along paved paths through chestnut groves.
The scenery is breathtaking (the Ardèche is so beautiful)
We had to take the road (at point 4) to escape the storm that was coming our way and get back to the vehicles more quickly.
Thank you very much for the map and directions.

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Kiric
Kiric

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very easy hike lasting less than two hours, with one mistake at the start (opposite the old bridge, remember to look to your right and take the small path that goes uphill... otherwise you'll reach the main road much too soon!) and taking the time to enjoy a picnic!

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pb07
pb07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful walk through chestnut trees, blueberry fields and the hamlets of Burzet.

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lynel92
lynel92

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful, varied and very well-described route: an easy and very pleasant hike on this sunny day.
Thank you, Boninmi

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boninmi
boninmi

Thank you for these encouraging comments. Describing a hike is voluntary work. Positive feedback is motivating.

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M W W
M W W

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful hike.

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