Ardèche Gorges between the Saint-Marcel Cave and the Rapide de la Fève

de fr

An attractive trail due to its technical nature and the beauty of the immense limestone slabs forming the banks of the Ardèche.

Details

n°6010298
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 249 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 252 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 191 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 47 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Beautiful sandy beach
Technical section on the outward journey
On the way back
A bit of climbing

Description of the walk

Head to the Saint-Marcel cave site on the D290 between Vallon-Pont-d’Arc and Saint-Marcel d’Ardèche.
Park in the small car park on the other side of the road. When the cave is open, you can park in the site’s large car park.

(S/E) From the small car park, take the track leading down towards the Grottes campsite.

(1) Cross the campsite and follow the Ardèche river to the right, upstream (west).

(2) Pass the Rapide de la Caville.

(3) Pass the Cadière rapids and continue to the Fève rapids.

(4) Turn around and follow the route back in the opposite direction to return to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 191 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 1.39 - alt. 84 m - Camping des Grottes. Gorges de l’ - Ardèche
  3. 2 : km 1.91 - alt. 52 m - Caville Rapids
  4. 3 : km 3.25 - alt. 50 m - Cadière Rapids
  5. 4 : km 3.61 - alt. 58 m - Rapides de la Fève
  6. S/E : km 7.19 - alt. 191 m - Car park

Notes

This hike can be technically challenging due to several sections involving ladders and handrails, and one section where you must crawl. It may also not be suitable for those prone to vertigo.
Strongly discouraged in wet weather or following recent rainfall, as the limestone slabs can become extremely slippery when wet, making the hike very dangerous.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
belu33
belu33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk along the Ardèche. We couldn’t go any further than point 3 because the river was too high. But honestly, it was lovely!

Machine-translated

smashdc
smashdc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most beautiful trails in the Gorges, if not the most beautiful.
The full itinerary is here ✔️ https://youtu.be/-BjWSmeFUXE

I’m doing the Gorges route by taking the left path to the first beach, then the right, and skipping points 1 & 2 :-) of the original hike (the first one). This lets me go further than the route for the two mini-hikes :-)

Machine-translated

montagnardu30
montagnardu30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A mishap occurred by the riverbank... my friend sprained her ankle, so we had to stop and call it a day after 45 minutes; we called for help and were evacuated down the river to A&E. :::That said, as I’m from the area, I’ve done this route before starting from Sauze; there are a few technical sections where you need to use your hands...... The Ardèche Gorges are magnificent and a must-see; for the more adventurous, you can tackle the entire Gorges over two days, starting from Sauze on foot to Vallon-Pont-d’Arc – an interesting route with three fords – then return by canoe to Sauze.

Machine-translated

BB26
BB26

Although it’s clearly stated in the guidebook, we attempted this ‘alpine’ hike after heavy rain and found it impassable (even though we’re experienced climbers and had brought a rope). I would also add that this part of the gorges quickly falls into shadow in winter, and that it is better to head downstream from the campsite, passing beneath the climbing school.

Machine-translated

Allin
Allin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk along the Ardèche with some interesting sections. Thank you very much for this walk.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Grosse Pierre, Saut du Loup and the Ardèche Gorges cliff

Visorando Member
Grosse Pierre, Saut du Loup et la corniche des Gorges de l'Ardèche
↔9.28 km ↗+233 m ↘-241 m ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Bidon (Ardèche)
The hike consists of a loop that is a discovery trail where you can see a menhir, a dolmen, a charcoal kiln and panoramic views. Moderator's note It appears that the end of the route has been changed on the ground. See the reviews and possibly try the route in the opposite direction

Walking Aiguèze and the rocks of Castelviel

Visorando Member
Les Rochers de Castelviel à Aiguèze
↔7.60 km ↗+266 m ↘-265 m ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aiguèze (Gard)
The medieval village of Aiguèze is among the most beautiful villages in France. This hike, overlooking the gorges of Ardeche, follows the paths and trails through the heart of the scrubland, olive groves and vineyards.

Walking The Castelviel Rock from Aiguèze

Visorando Member
Le Rocher de Castelviel depuis Aiguèze
↔8.25 km ↗+227 m ↘-223 m ◔3h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aiguèze (Gard)
A very pleasant walk starting from the medieval village of Aiguèze, listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", overlooking the Ardèche River with a fantastic viewpoint halfway along the route over the tributary of the Rhône.

Walking Loop of the Chanet Dolmen and the Gourmier Bivouac

Visorando Member
Boucle du Dolmen du Chanet et du Bivouac de Gourmier
↔6.24 km ↗+276 m ↘-283 m ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Remèze (Ardèche)
From the plateau to the river, this short and fairly easy route will also allow you to discover the vegetation of the gorges, notably the Phoenician juniper. The elevation gain is at the end of the route, and the concrete track from the Gournier bivouac to the starting point is very steep. The route is well shaded. Pay attention to point (3).

Walking Ardèche Gorges between the Gournier campsite and the Madeleine cirque

Visorando Member
Gorges de l'Ardèche entre bivouac du Gournier et cirque de la Madeleine
↔11.70 km ↗+584 m ↘-590 m ◔5h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Saint-Remèze (Ardèche)
A very beautiful hike along the Ardèche Gorges, between the Bivouac du Gournier and the Cirque de la Madeleine, over magnificent limestone slabs and at the foot of the imposing cliff face bordering the gorges. Along the route, you’ll discover the huge rock known as the ‘Cathedral’, over 100 metres high, whose jagged shape resembles a cathedral.

Walking The Maladrerie des Templiers in the Gorges de l'Ardèche

Visorando Member
La Maladrerie des Templiers dans les Gorges de l'Ardèche
↔15.16 km ↗+585 m ↘-584 m ◔6h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Le Garn (Gard)
A very beautiful walk, partly along the river, leading to the exceptional site of La Maladrerie, situated opposite the Cirque de la Madeleine. Ruins of an ancient monastery, probably dating from the 12th century, with an uncertain origin. Fact or myth of the Knights Templar? Follow the yellow markings on the ground carefully between (6) and (7), and avoid this route during periods of high water in the Ardèche. As the riverbed is subject to change, some sections of the route may be difficult to access (water, branches, mud, etc.).To check water levels and flow rates: https://www.rdbrmc.com/hydroreel2/statio...

Walking Between the Bois du Sorbier and the Bois Redon

Visorando Member
Entre le Bois du Sorbier et le Bois Redon
↔6.90 km ↗+140 m ↘-140 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Bourg-Saint-Andéol (Ardèche)
The hike takes place on tracks and single tracks in the undergrowth and sometimes on beautiful paved paths, sheltered from the wind as it is exposed on the southern slope of Bois Redon. The route is mostly shaded and passes through mainly oak forests.

Walking Walk from Saint-Remèze to the Aurèle plain

Visorando Member
Balade de Saint-Remèze à la plaine d'Aurèle
↔7.93 km ↗+66 m ↘-58 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Remèze (Ardèche)
Lavender and vine crops. Heaths and dry stone walls. Ruins of a former German military camp. An extremely easy walk, with no elevation gain, on good paths and small roads with no traffic.

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.