From Cornas to La Borne

A walk in the hills above Cornas, offering typical Ardèche scenery. We pass from vineyards to ravines.
Route change November 2022.

Details

425003
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.74 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 493 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 493 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 537 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 112 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park at La Mure on the edge of the Voie Bleue, in the commune of Cornas.

(S/E) Follow the small access road up to the D86, follow it to the left for 500 m, cross at the pedestrian crossing and take Rue de Pied la Vigne opposite for about 100 metres.

(1) Turn right onto Chemin des Eygas, then a little further on, turn right again onto Chemin des Pins, which is steep at the start and tarmac-surfaced; from the last house, it becomes a footpath and leads to the Arlettes plateau. You’ll come to a small tarmac road.

(2) Follow it northwards and continue on the tarmac until the end of the climb.

(3) Turn left onto a descending path (for the alternative route, see practical information). Pass close to some caravans, then under a ruined house (the old Coulet farm). At the next crossroads, take the path opposite heading south; it gradually turns first westwards, then due north where the slope becomes steeper. You’ll reach a flatter section, then a gentle descent to join a tarmac road.

(4) Turn left onto it. Pass the old Eygas house, then continue for about a hundred metres.

(5) Take the dirt track on your right, which is initially flat then climbs; pass under a hunters’ hut on your left and arrive at the first hairpin bend.

(6) Take the second path on the right which descends to the Largentière stream; cross it and continue straight ahead up a fairly steep slope; after a chicane created in the fence, continue along a much wider path

(7) Turn right onto it; it takes us to the hamlet of Michelas.

(8) Turn left onto the steep road for about 800 m, pass a large green henhouse; at the end of the tarmac, take the path opposite leading to the hamlet of Bressieux. Keep left and cross the hamlet.

(9) Just before a steep climb, take a small road to the left heading due south between the houses; this quickly becomes a track and winds through woods and meadows.

(10) At a fairly sharp left-hand bend, do not go straight on, but turn left until you reach a large metal gate; follow the fence on your right, and at the end of the fence, turn left. Go round the hamlet of Chante-Perdrix in this way; just above it, you will rejoin the GR®42 (red and white markings). Follow it to the right. Pass through the hamlet of Des Plaines, and 200 to 250 m after the hamlet, take a path on the left, still following the GR®. Join a small road that passes in front of the Barreau house; the road climbs. Take care and look out for a path on the left.

(11) Leave the GR®42 and take this small path on the left, which descends towards the hamlet of Précharnier. Cross the hamlet, and just before the last house, take the path on the left descending north-eastwards to join a road.

(12) Follow it to the left towards the east for about 200 m (or take the dirt track running parallel to the road). Leave the road and take the path going uphill opposite. Ignore the first path on the left and continue straight on. At the next junction, keep left and join a path leading to a house. Take it to the right and rejoin the road.

(13) Turn left onto it until you reach the first crossroads.

(14) Turn sharply right towards the hamlet of Des Peupliers. Pass the first houses, then at a right-hand bend take the path opposite, follow it and descend gently; on a flat stretch, take a small path through the woods leading to the access path to the Chanas house. Turn left until you reach the tarmac road and follow it down to the right.

(15) Turn right towards the huge cedars at the Tézier ruins (the view over the Cornas vineyards, Crussol Castle and the Rhône Valley is remarkable).Head down the vineyard path either by following the ‘Grenat’ arrow markings on the winegrowers’ trail (a fairly steep descent, so take care not to slip) or by taking the path on the right, which has a gentler gradient. When you reach the stream path, follow it to the left towards the village of Cornas and rejoin a small tarmac road (Rue du Ruisseau). Follow it to the left towards the village centre.

(16) 100 m before the church, take a flight of steps on the left, cross the stream and head uphill beneath the houses. Continue straight on (Chemin des Églantiers) until you reach the Ruisseau de Chaillot. Turn right onto it. The stream becomes a path leading to Rue de Pied la Vigne.

(17) Turn left heading north.

(1) Continue straight ahead and follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 112 m - Car park at La Mure, next to the Voie Bleue - Rhône (River)
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 130 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 217 m - Tarmac road. Power line
  4. 3 : km 1.88 - alt. 275 m - End of the climb
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 314 m - Take it on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.44 - alt. 320 m - Take the dirt track on the right.
  7. 6 : km 3.7 - alt. 337 m - At the hairpin bend, take the second path on the right.
  8. 7 : km 4.81 - alt. 402 m - Turn right.
  9. 8 : km 5.14 - alt. 402 m - Michelas crossroads
  10. 9 : km 6.93 - alt. 537 m - Hameau de Bressieux
  11. 10 : km 7.76 - alt. 517 m - Head left until you reach the large gate
  12. 11 : km 9.47 - alt. 492 m - Let the GR42 head off to the left
  13. 12 : km 10.8 - alt. 403 m - Turn left
  14. 13 : km 11.75 - alt. 363 m - Road on the left
  15. 14 : km 11.95 - alt. 344 m - Turn right towards the poplars
  16. 15 : km 12.97 - alt. 241 m - Ruins of Tézier
  17. 16 : km 14.27 - alt. 131 m - Stairs on the left
  18. 17 : km 15 - alt. 130 m - Turn left
  19. S/E : km 15.74 - alt. 112 m - Car park at La Mure, next to the Voie Bleue

Notes

Please note: this walk is not signposted, or only in very few places; it passes through private land, so please ensure you close gates properly, respect crops and strictly adhere to the hiker’s code of conduct.

Parking is available along the Voie Bleue below the Chapelle de la Mure in Cornas; take the last road on the right at the northern exit of Cornas.

If you’d like an option extending to La Roche percée des Arlettes, see the description of the hike by the same author, though it’s not quite the same route.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 41 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
gilou0726
gilou0726

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike, I recommend it.

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alnobal07
alnobal07

Hello Bernard
I went to check this morning and you're absolutely right, the path is blocked just before point No. 1. I'll see if we can open a new path on the embankment. In the meantime, I'll change the description.
At Chaillot, it was the stream that washed away the pallets, but the passage is still there.
At Chamteperdrix, I had already changed the description at the owner's request.
Thanks for your helpful comments.
alnobal 07

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alnobal07
alnobal07

Hello Bernard26
I don't understand your comments. Point No. 1 is in the old quarry at La Mure. I have never seen any barriers or dogs there, or if I have, it must have been very recently
In the description for Chante Perdrix, it doesn't say to cut across a field, but to go around the hamlet.
As for the Chaillot stream, the path is part of the vineyard trail, so I don't see why it would be blocked (I'll check before making any changes).
Best regards.

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bernard26.
bernard26.

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Before reaching point 1, the road is blocked by a barrier marked "PRIVATE" in large letters + 2 dogs.
The Chaillot stream crossing is blocked by pallets.
At Chante Perdrix, the GR 42 follows the path and no longer cuts across the meadow.
You will need to alter your route in order to complete the hike.

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Pwaul
Pwaul

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very good route with magnificent views.
⚠️ It's a shame that two or three dogs were not on a leash in the hamlets and were very aggressive, forcing us to take detours.
Thanks to the author!

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alnobal07
alnobal07

Hello
I have modified the route (crossed out section), which makes it a little longer. I made a second modification following a succession of events in the hamlet of Chante Graille. Please remove your warning.
Best regards, alnobal07

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fafarouge
fafarouge
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a beautiful hike. It has been modified and now there are no problems

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bob2673
bob2673

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that I confirm that the route is blocked with reinforced fencing at stage 6, and it is impossible to continue

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nath.franck16
nath.franck16
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoy this route.
The only downside to this walk is the noise from the go-kart track.

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chrystenmarie
chrystenmarie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There is indeed a lot of tarmac, but these small roads are not busy.
Nice hike with beautiful views

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JAKO 07
JAKO 07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike on trails that are partly unknown. Magnificent panoramic views of the Vercors, Cornas and Crussol Castle, and a very pleasant walk through the vineyards with a superb view of the Royes vineyards (ranked among the most beautiful in the world...). We enjoyed a sunny day and very clear signposting for the Crussol loop, which follows the final section of this hike. The last descent to Cornas is best tackled with walking sticks and good walking shoes as it is very steep and slippery. Thank you for this superb route

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ritonbigoud37
ritonbigoud37

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Simply amazing hike!
A very wild route with beautiful panoramic views.
One small downside at the Chaillot stream (10): it's not really passable on foot, as there is a lot of vegetation blocking the way (including nettles...).

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Philou 26
Philou 26

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the hills above Cornas. Be careful after crossing the Largentiere stream , as the path becomes difficult, but only for a short while.

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olivierdemeusy
olivierdemeusy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

We went for a walk today in beautiful weather.
A very pleasant hike thanks to the variety of landscapes (numerous views of the Rhône valley, the foothills of the Ardèche plateau and the Cornas vineyards). Very few paved roads. So well done for this superb loop.
As already mentioned, there are no signposts, so rely on the map and the description and, of course, if you have a GPS, "the fingers in the nose"! So I highly recommend it!

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philippelamain
philippelamain
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short detour is required to see (500m there and back) this superb arch above the Roche Pertu climbing site.
To do this, at point 3, after returning to the road, at the small pass, take the small ridge path on the left or the path marked with a cairn 50 m further down, then continue straight ahead along the small path to return to the rocky outcrop. Enjoy your discovery!

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