Refine your search for walks in Darbres
Darbres walks
Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron: the learning path
A route starting at a hilltop village, Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, with a wonderful, panoramic 180° view over the Ardèche mountains and plains, from Villeneuve de Berg to the Col de l'Escrinet (the Cham du Cros, Rocher d’Abraham, Montagne Sainte-Marguerite, Mont Lozère). In addition, educational panels depicting the history, geology and life on the Coiron adorn this hike.
The terrain: valleys, gorges and streams around Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron
A long but very beautiful hike offering varied landscapes and superb panoramic views. This route follows paths and tracks leading from greenhouses to gorges, with small fords and abundant little streams to cross.
Please note, however, that some sections of the circuit are unmarked and require a good knowledge of map reading and orientation.
Mirabel, the sentinel of the Coiron
Walked and re-walked by families from the villages around Mirabel, this easy walk is renowned for its exceptional views, including 180° views from the top of the basalt cliffs and the tower. The walk ends in the medieval village, where you can stroll through the labyrinth of narrow streets, cul-de-sacs and vaulted passageways.
Louyre and the Col de Valaurie from Vesseaux
Hike through varied environments, bare hills, wooded valley bottoms and ridge trails with beautiful views.
The hamlet of Louyre, which was deserted in the middle of the last century, is once again inhabited and very much alive.
Oppidum of Jastres and corniche on the Louyre
An easy walk to an oppidum with spectacular views over Aubenas and back with equally spectacular views of the Louyre canyon, the promontory of Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron and the Mirabel tower.
Variations to the route are suggested, shortening or lengthening the walk.
Tour of Serre des Champs
An easy hike in the hills above Vesseaux, where you will discover a few hamlets. Beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding villages. The route passes through beautiful chestnut groves and cherry orchards. Best seen in autumn when the chestnut trees change colour or in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom.
The Louyre Canyon, from Échelette to Évent des Grenouillettes
With its wild and exotic appearance, the Louyre Canyon is a classic destination for all hikers in the region. This circuit takes you from one end to the other, then back up the top with beautiful views. As a bonus, since this year, you can once again see traces of beaver activity.
The climb up the canyon is not very easy, and in one or two places you have to use your hands, but it is quite doable, even with children.
The Louyre Canyon via the Dolmen de l'Houme
A hike to the end of the world (although close to the city) where you will hardly meet anyone. You will feel like you are at the end of the world as you descend to the bottom of a canyon, part of which you will hike along its most interesting length. A feeling of adventure and action, Indiana Jones is not far away.
Around the Louyre Canyon
An easier variant of the "Louyre Canyon via the Dolmen de l'Houlme" hike, allowing you to discover this magnificent little wild spot without venturing into the canyon (reserved for experienced hikers or connoisseurs). Discover the ancient structures around a stream that had a greater and more regular flow in the last century, and enjoy beautiful views of the canyon.
The ridges of Mont Champ
Although the highest point is not very high, this hike, mostly along ridges, offers beautiful views of the Ardèche and the Aubenas region.
Les Balmes de Montbrun - Mirabel
Le Coiron is a wild basalt plateau. On the southern side, near Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, troglodyte dwellings were built in the medieval period in the basalt cliffs of Montbrun.
From Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron, a small road winding across the plateau takes you to Mirabel, where you can enjoy magnificent views from the keep.
The only downside is that two-thirds of the route is on paved roads, although there is very little traffic.
Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne - Gourdon circular
This south-facing route offers beautiful views of the Tanargue to Mont Lozère via the Aubenas basin. It is also a geological discovery trail with information signs placed at regular intervals. After Gourdon, at the top of the tarmac road, the Alps stand out on the horizon.
Climbing up to the summit platform of Roc de Gourdon is not accessible to everyone, but the 360° view is remarkable.
Between Oize and Sandron, the Moulin des Prés from Saint-Julien-du-Serre
This is a short, easy hike with a wide variety of landscapes: meadows at the bottom of the Oize valley, more austere wooded slopes of the Sandron valley, pine forests and sandstone rocks towards Champestève or Fromenteyrol.
Loop of Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne and Boulogne Castle
This is a lovely route that takes you from the village of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne to Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne via the fortified castle of Boulogne. The ruins, listed as a Historic Monument, date from the 11th century.
Around the Luol in Saint-Privat and Saint-Julien-du-Serre
An easy walk around the Luol River with beautiful panoramic views, passing through typical hamlets and the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.After the Houme signpost, the end of the route is very pleasantly original, taking a shaded path lined with box trees to the Croix des Lépreux and then walking between canals and the Ardèche river.
The summit of Blandine from Escrinet
This is a short hike, but it will give you a magnificent view of the Coiron plateau and the entire Alpine range, from Ventoux to Mont Blanc on a clear day.
Roche Chérie via the Orgues de Bauzon
This route runs along the foothills of the Coiron massif on paths that are not marked on IGN maps but nevertheless exist, with very improbable markings.
The path runs alongside the beautiful basalt columns or Orgues de Bauzon parallel to the Chaix stream, then climbs back up to the plateau where the panoramic views are superb. The descent via a rocky ridge leads to Roche Chérie: a remnant of the massif's significant volcanic past. A small chapel is built against the neck.
Roche Chérie in Saint-Pons
This route runs along the foothills of the Coiron massif on existing but not very obvious paths. Follow the yellow markings carefully.
The route passes through some beautiful basalt columns, crosses the plateau with its superb panoramic views, then descends via a rocky ridge to Roche Chérie: a remnant of the massif's significant volcanic past. A small chapel is built against the neck.
From Viel Ucel to Saint-Julien-du-Serre via the Hermitage
An easy walk with beautiful views of Aubenas, the Sainte-Marguerite mountain, Saint-Julien-du-Serre and, in the distance, the Col de l'Escrinet and the Coiron volcanic massif. Take your time to stroll through the old fortified village of Vieil Ucel and don't miss a quick trip to the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.
The Tower of Ville and the Dolmens of Serre Bastel
This short hike offers beautiful views of the Ardèche plain, from Saint-Sernin to Aubenas. As a bonus, you can search for the remains of dolmens on the Serre Bastel, a treasure hunt that will delight children. On the way back, the trail passes by the Tour de Ville, the remains of a ruined castle that has unfortunately been abandoned.
Circular on the Gras plateau, between Ville and Vogüé
This walk takes place almost entirely on the Plateau des Gras, a limestone plateau pierced by karstic caves, rather arid on the western side and more wooded on the eastern side. It will also give you an original view of the village of Vogüé, an old quarry whose stones were exported as far as Paris and, if you look carefully, the remains of dolmens.
Circular Saint-Andéol-de-Vals via the Moulin de Raoul
This walk consists of two short circular loops connected by a short return trip. It takes you through a relatively unknown area of central Ardèche where the agricultural footprint is still clearly visible. You will pass from slopes to ridges and valleys following the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges. You will enjoy the wide views and landscapes.
At the northernmost point, you will stop at an ancient mill dating back several centuries, known as "Le Moulin de Raoul" (see below).
Villeneuve de Berg - The Forêt des Sens
An easy family walk to the "Forêt des sens" (forest of senses), arboretum and interpretive trail created under the impetus of the municipal children's council. A few welcome benches punctuate this playful and instructive walk for all ages.
From Alba-la-Romaine to Neck de Sceautres: a great journey back in time
From the ancient city to the largest basalt neck in Europe, this beautiful hike takes you along a route with varied terrain: limestone plains, petrified lava blocks and the volcanic plateau of the Coiron Massif. The Sceautres neck, the jewel of the Coiron, is a basalt plug resulting from an eruption 8 million years ago. Cleared by erosion, it rises 150 metres above the valley.
Serre Juliau from Alba-la-Romaine
This hike will take you back in time as you pass by the Croix de Saint-Philippe, the Col de l'Épine and Mont Juliau, offering magnificent views along the way. Please note that you will be crossing parks with livestock. Be sure to close the gates behind you.
Summit of Croix Juliau and the hamlet of Roche in Alba-la-Romaine
This lovely hike offers magnificent viewpoints over the Montmirail Dentelles, Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies, the Vercors, the Montagne Ardéchoise, the Coiron, the Necks of Sceautres, of Roche Chérie, of Roche, and a 360° panoramic view from the summit of Croix Juliau.
The superb medieval hamlet of Roche is well worth the detour.
More walks in Darbres
Select a point of interest below: