Forests and hamlets of the Eyrieux Valley

A beautiful loop in the hills above the Eyrieux Valley, where you can discover charming little hamlets and isolated houses in the purest Ardèche style.

Details

850283
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 481 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 473 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 502 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 168 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: coming from the Rhône valley, cross Les Ollières-sur-Eyrieux then take the bridge over the Eyrieux. Turn left immediately after onto Route de la Plage. At the cemetery, turn left, do not take the left-hand road (Route de Tartary), but the road that runs alongside the cemetery on the right. At the next crossroads, take the road on the left which leads to a crossroads (signs for Ruelle de l'Eyrieux on the left and Route de la Plage on the right). Turn right to park either at the playground and picnic area or a little further along the river (large stones).

(S/E) From the car park, take the path keeping the river on your left. Pass the canoe rental buildings to reach the toilets. Turn right and follow the path uphill between the tennis court and the water treatment plant. Join a small tarmac road at the Téoule signpost.

Yellow-white signposts

(1) Turn left towards Saint-Vincent-de-Durfort, following the road. Pass the entrance to the Domaine des Plantas (campsite) and follow the uphill path. Shortly afterwards, the tarmac ends as the path turns right to go around the estate (discrepancy on the map).

(2) The path turns left and, about 50 metres further on, comes to a fork. Turn left onto the path parallel to the road and join the path that runs alongside the bungalows. Follow this flat track to the end of the campsite and then climb into the woods. After a few hairpin bends, you will come to a tarmac road.
Turn right and follow this road uphill until you reach a crossroads at the Les Pauses sign (EDF hut).

(3) Turn right onto the road and immediately left onto a path overlooking it. Join the same road, cross it and continue straight ahead on the path; you will arrive higher up on the D265.

(4) Follow it to the right until you reach Saint-Vincent-de-Durfort. Cross the village on this same road, ignoring the roads and paths marked on the left. Pass the church, the temple and the toilets and reach a crossroads and the signpost for Les Balans just before the village exit sign (oratory).

(5) Turn left onto the paved road downhill towards Serre de Gruas. When you reach the Durfort Bridge, cross it.

(6) Turn right onto a path. Make a left turn and continue to a crossroads 100 metres further on. Turn right into a pine forest. Shortly afterwards, at the fork (not marked on the map), continue straight ahead on the main path (ignore the path on the right). Cross a small bridge and continue up a stony slope. When the path runs alongside a pasture, ignore a path on the left and continue through the woods to reach a small paved road.

(7) Turn right onto the tarmac road, pass a beautiful swimming pool and continue to the house (the path passes through the middle of the property, but there are no signs prohibiting this). Pass the house and turn right after the terrace to walk along the bottom of the property. This path is marked on the map as a discovery trail and there are numerous small wooden signs with numbers here and there, but no explanations.
After several wide hairpin bends, you will arrive at the bottom of the valley.
The path climbs gently up the other side and arrives at a crossroads at signpost no. 9 (not marked on the map). Turn left to continue on the same path. After a short climb, you will arrive at another crossroads (not marked on the map). Turn left and continue to a house and the signpost for Le Faure.
Continue right towards Chambon de Bavas on a pleasant path along the hillside. Arrive at the hamlet of Vaneilles and cross it via the alleyway until you reach the crossroads in the centre of the hamlet.

(8) Turn right, leave house no. 2287 on your left and continue along the lane. Pass no. 2293 to leave the hamlet. Turn left and descend the path. Continue left on a path that runs diagonally between landscaped gardens (leave the access road to the hamlet on your right and left). A sign saying "no motor vehicles" indicates the entrance to the path. Go down between the low walls and feel free to visit the two charming gardens on either side, which are private but open to the public.
Continue downhill, passing through a private area where you can picnic, and you will come to a crossroads (no signposts at this point). A car wreck on the left is a good landmark.

(9) Turn right onto a grassy path that runs alongside a pine forest and join the hollow of the valley. Cross the bridge, go up and continue for about 400m to pass in front of a house (Bataille). Continue on the partially paved path until you reach the D265 at the Fourton signpost.

(10) Turn left onto the road for about 100 metres, then turn right onto a path. At the next fork, take the left to reach the Croix des Bans signpost (not visible on the map). Turn right onto the path that goes around the property and join a new crossroads about 300 metres further down.

(11) Turn right, the path narrows and becomes very stony for a few hundred metres. Further down, it becomes very pleasant for the final descent and you will reach the Théoule signpost.

(1) Turn left and then immediately right onto the path that leads back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 168 m - Leisure area car park - Eyrieux (rivière) à finaliser
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 182 m - La Théoule signpost
  3. 2 : km 1.97 - alt. 221 m - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 3 - alt. 321 m - Les Pauses signpost
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 386 m - D265 on the right
  6. 5 : km 3.52 - alt. 407 m - Les Balans signpost
  7. 6 : km 4.32 - alt. 354 m - Path on the right after the Durfort Bridge on the - Boyon (ruisseau)
  8. 7 : km 5.49 - alt. 502 m - Turn right onto the asphalt road
  9. 8 : km 7.06 - alt. 466 m - Vaneilles
  10. 9 : km 7.48 - alt. 416 m - On the right (car wreck)
  11. 10 : km 8.83 - alt. 443 m - Fourton signpost
  12. 11 : km 9.35 - alt. 423 m - On the right
  13. S/E : km 11.37 - alt. 168 m - Leisure area car park

Notes

Toilets and drinking water at the start and in Saint-Vincent-de-Durfort.
A few paved sections but not very busy.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 28 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Kwiss07
Kwiss07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even in gloomy weather, this hike is still really enjoyable. We did it with two children and didn't encounter any particular difficulties. We were lucky enough to meet the owner of the landscaped garden, who kindly took the time to explain it to us. It was great!
Thank you for suggesting this walk!

Machine-translated

dad64
dad64

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The signposting is sometimes discreet but well compensated for by the excellent explanations provided by the creator of this walk.
Beautiful and varied landscapes
Nice elevation gain when you start from the campsite, which is alongside the route
Well done for this walk suggestion

Machine-translated

ROBERTO26200
ROBERTO26200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike a few years ago, and it's still just as nice. The hamlet of Vaneilles and its landscaped gardens are still as charming as ever, even if they are starting to show their age.
I'm not a particularly fast walker, but I still managed to do it in less than four hours.

Machine-translated

Astier
Astier
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning views of the Eyrieux Valley and passing through small hamlets typical of the region. Highly recommended

Machine-translated

Paragore
Paragore

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike despite some paved sections. Suitable for any season

Machine-translated

L'homme qui marche 07
L'homme qui marche 07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Hello, thank you and congratulations on such excellent service. I can't add anything to something that is close to perfection.
thank you again.

Machine-translated

Kiwitz
Kiwitz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and varied hike through chestnut forests, hamlets, villages and along the banks of the Eyrieux River. Such peace and quiet after Saint Vincent de Durfort. The atmosphere in these forests is fantastic. Allow a little less than four hours for this hike, taking time to enjoy the scenery and take a few photos. We didn't see a soul. Thank you to the author of the hike. It was very nice.

Machine-translated

laurentjzl
laurentjzl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The section between the water sports centre and the campsite (2) is uninteresting: you walk along tarmac to discover a horrible, noisy complex. Fortunately, the nightmare is over quickly!

The hamlets you pass through are really pretty, with some beautiful buildings. Some of them are really tempting.

The paths are very pleasant to walk along and fortunately make up most of the route. This makes you forget the sections you have to walk on secondary asphalt roads, which is unavoidable in this part of the Ardèche.

We crossed numerous streams, which were flowing strongly this year thanks to the abundant rainfall. The sound of the water was very pleasant.

In short, this route is well worth exploring, and a swim in the Eyrieux on the way back is the perfect way to end the day.

Machine-translated

bibi 07
bibi 07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pleasant hike. Make sure you wear good shoes.
did it with two dogs who found water and plenty of shade.

Machine-translated

TOULAUD'RANDO
TOULAUD'RANDO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful short hike, but a little steep at times. Don't forget to stop and linger in the magnificent hamlet of Vaneille and its unusual garden.

Machine-translated

tocdu26
tocdu26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A great outing with no major difficulties except perhaps at point 6, where there is a rocky climb (it's still a bit of a climb). There were no toilets or water points along the route (water turned off, toilets closed). A good description of the route
thanks to the creator of this hike

Machine-translated

gamagi
gamagi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2021
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, we had already done it in early January with a few centimetres of snow and we did it again on 18 February in a light drizzle. We were unlucky with the weather, but that didn't take away from the charm of this hike. The last part was a little slippery on the rocks, but by being careful, everything went very well.
Thanks to the author

Machine-translated

luludu07
luludu07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 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, very pleasant and varied. We didn't follow the route suggested here exactly, but the signposting is everywhere, so take the time to read the description (unlike us lol)

Another great day's hiking, thanks to the author

Machine-translated

Bondom59
Bondom59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to say, perfect hike.

Machine-translated

MissMagoo26
MissMagoo26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

No doubt done at the beginning of the season (due to lockdown), some sections were sometimes difficult to see because they were hidden under tall grass.
There are also many fallen trees due to the snowfall on 14/11/19.
The highlight of the walk is a visit to the garden in Vaneilles, which is a must-see in spring. There is even a picnic table nearby.
It is a well-maintained garden, free and open to the public, with lots of roses and decorations, a vegetable garden and a small pond.
A real treat!

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.