Grospierres walks

This hike allows you to discover the Combe Fille Dolmen, then the Sous-Planas Dolmen, different views of the Ardèche foothills to the Lozère Mountains, a small drystone shelter in a magnificent holm oak undergrowth, the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Songes, the ruins of the "Chastelas" and finally the Font Vive Resurgence.

Following good paths through holm oak trees, this hike will take you to the ridges of the Grospierres hills with beautiful views, sometimes towards the Basse Ardèche on the south side, sometimes towards the mountains on the north side. On the way back, you can see the Notre-Dame des Songes chapel, the abandoned village of Chastelas and the Font Vive resurgence with its green water.

Sampzon, a small village perched on a promontory overlooking the Rocher and encircled by a loop of the Ardèche, (you have to see it from the top of the car park). A veritable natural belvedere, it offers a unique panorama of the meandering Ardèche. The old village has preserved its traditional houses. The route is very well signposted.

This route offers beautiful views of the cliffs and gorges of the Chassezac, rocky terrain, ancient dry stone constructions and a return route through a landscape of heath that is perhaps less poetic but nevertheless typical of the southern Ardèche.

This family hike begins with magnificent views of the Chassezac gorges, then crosses a karstic rocky chaos in a Tolkien-esque forest. Further on, you will find drystone shelters, ancient dry stone shelters. The return journey offers a classic route through the limestone landscapes of southern Ardèche along a small road that is little used out of season (those allergic to tarmac will find some alternative routes through heath).

A hike to discover the banks of the Chassezac, the villages of Berrias and Casteljau, Ardèche hamlets with, as a bonus, a passage through the Bois de Païolive and a view of the Gorges du Chassezac. At the start, when you walk along the Chassezac and in the Bois de Païolive, there are many paths. A GPS may be useful.

This hike is primarily a stroll along pretty trails in a relatively cool and humid area of the Plateau des Gras. The few points of interest marked on the map can be considered as a series of goals to achieve in what resembles an orienteering course. Avoid this route if you only hike on easy, well-marked routes. GPS and OpenStreetMap are recommended; see the practical information section.

After crossing a forest that could have been used as a location for scenes from Tolkien's novels, the return to the ridge runs alongside a necropolis of dolmens.

This pleasant circuit explores picturesque trails and places north of Labeaume.

Shortly before flowing into the Ardèche, the Beaume (or Baume) has carved out meandering gorges in the limestone plateau west of Ruoms. Two routes along paths, paved slanting streets and tracks, but also tarmac, run along one bank of the river and then the other between Labeaume and Ruoms. Here you will find the typical landscapes and vegetation of karst areas, between abandoned farmland and new developments, and the unspoilt charm of the old village of Labeaume.

An easy hike to discover the landscapes of the Ardèche and Gard regions at the Carabasse rocks and, a little further on, the archaeological remains.

This hike takes you along the Montagne de la Serre, whose highest point is La Baume Lardière. To reach this ridge, take the path that leads to the Col de la Cize. At the ridge, you will discover numerous viewpoints over the Cévennes, as well as the Baronnies massif and Mont Ventoux. The return journey is via the Ravin de la Fontaine du Merle.

This hike will take you through an enchanting forest above one of the region's large underground water networks, which can be seen in several places: in an underground cistern, at the bottom of a karstic cave, in the bed of an almost dry river, or at a resurgence. You will also see one of the most beautiful dolmen sites in southern Ardèche. Please note that the Aven du Reméjadou is extremely dangerous.

This is a surprising route due to its wild character and beauty, which takes you around the place known as "Le Sauvage", starting from the megalithic necropolis of Ranc de Figère and continuing along that of L'Abeille. This is karstic terrain in all its splendour: large limestone slabs criss-crossed with impressive faults, rocks sculpted by erosion, deep depressions. Paths lost in nature alternate with wide tracks passing close to superb isolated houses.

Spectacular hike off the beaten track and unmarked trails on the limestone plateau of Labeaume, discovering the landscapes and vernacular heritage: engraved crosses, dolmens, cliff-side path to the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers. On the way back, pass by the splendid Mas de l'Abeille. :

From Ruoms to Labeaume, the hike alternates between ancient villages and nature. This itinerary passes the Ardèche river, the heights of the Baume river gorge, the pretty village of Labeaume and the old town of Ruoms. Alternating between shady and sunny stretches. Several possibilities for swimming along the way.

A pleasant hike along the banks of the Ardèche river, sometimes with overhanging cliffs on a magnificent path, and sometimes skirting the riverbed. There's also a cave within easy reach.

A very pleasant hike along the Chassezac, then on the Sentier des Drystone Shelters. Return via the Sentier Roche and a small wood in Païolive. Superb landscape of the Ardèche Cévennes.I recommend using the GPX track as there are countless small paths.Hike for experienced hikers. I rated the walk as difficult not because of its length or elevation gain, but because of the many rocky areas and scree slopes to cross. It is physically demanding between (9) and (10) and from (15) to (S/E) Warning: do not attempt this hike in rainy weather as the rocky, limestone terrain is very slippery.

A beautiful loop that allows you to discover the Chassezac Gorges with passages at river level and others on the heights with beautiful views. For the more adventurous, there is the possibility of exploring caves. And to wash off (depending on the season), you can relax in the river. Ideal for children, although the cliff passages require parents' full attention.

An easy walk on the ridges between Ruoms and Pradons. Beautiful views over the Ardèche valley and the cliffs of the cirque de Gens in the second part. Avoid hot weather, as shade is scarce and there's no water.

The Granges Necropolis is one of the most important dolmen sites in Ardèche. This short, easy circuit allows hikers to discover some of them while enjoying the landscape, vegetation and waterways of the limestone plateaus of lower Ardèche.

This hike will take you to a megalithic necropolis and a desert plain inhabited long ago by those who were buried there. It will take you to the village of Berrias, up to the Païolive woods, which you will cross, and then to the hermitage of Saint-Eugène, which is still in use, before allowing you to admire the Chassezac gorges from the magnificent cliff.

The Plateau des Gras is a limestone plateau, cut by rivers, which stretches from the Païolive woods in the south-west to the slopes of Coiron in the north-east. The path along the edge offers unobstructed views of the entire Monts d'Ardèche mountain range and leads to several viewpoints over the Ligne valley. This route winds its way across a quasi-desert plateau dotted with numerous stone walls and piles of stones, evidence of a time when every square metre was exploited.

Between Baume, Ardèche and Ligne, vast stretches of stony ground have been and are still partly cultivated, with olive trees now reigning supreme. The former silkworm farms have now been converted into homes but retain their old-world charm. Along the river, hanging gardens are still maintained and clearly visible on the banks on the sunny side of La Baume. The Ardèche and Chassezac rivers have created a vast plain where vineyards, fruit trees and gardens occupy the space.

From the banks of Ardèche, to the balconies of Salavas, but fairly challenging in the bed of Rieussec. There are stringing points. ATTENTION: Some sections can quickly become very dangerous for hikers who are ill-equipped or not trained for this kind of more technical hike. Therefore, please take care.

A short circuit that will take you along beautiful trails to discover an underground cave and beautiful beaches on the banks of the Ardèche with breathtaking views of the Ruoms gorge and the Cirque de Gens.

The gras are limestone plateaus characteristic of southern Ardèche. Here you can see low vegetation or trees: picards, junipers, Mediterranean shrubs, old mulberry trees left over from silkworm farming, various oaks and Montpellier maples. You will cross a karst landscape that is sometimes spectacular. This hike also offers a view from the top of the Beaume cliffs. You can stray from the path in search of karstic caves ( be careful at Réméjadou) and dolmens, sometimes lost in the woods.

After crossing the Bois de Païolive, the route follows the Ruisseau du Granzon. After climbing out of the canyon, the return journey is via the plateau. An enchanting route and landscape. The use of GPS and the Visorando app may be necessary.

A walk amid holm oaks along the capricious Ibie river, whose water doesn’t always flow overground.

This is a long hike that follows the Baume, first along the ledge on its left bank, then high up on its right bank (Falaise de Lunel). The final section, after point (21) , requires a lot of attention as the path entrances are often somewhat hidden, but after (23), the view is magnificent. From (12), you are in the middle of the heath and it can get very hot. I recommend setting off at dawn and taking plenty of drinks with you.

Saint-Genest-de-Beauzon is a strange commune, made up of scattered hamlets in the southern foothills of the Cévennes Ardéchoises, with an isolated town hall near an unfinished church that has only its walls remaining. Landscapes, old houses, historical curiosities and geological sites punctuate this route.

This vast south-facing valley surrounded by wooded areas (mainly pine trees) has retained its agricultural activities (vineyards, orchards, olive groves) and is dotted with several hamlets that are characteristic of southern Ardèche, even if there is some sprawl from recent residential developments. Streams and springs were equipped long ago with fountains and wash houses, sometimes in unexpected places.

The Païolive forest is an ancient forest in the south of the Ardèche, occupied since prehistoric times, with a remarkable geological context and biodiversity. It overlooks the Chassezac gorges. In this karstic landscape, there are numerous zoomorphic rocks, a multitude of trails and viewpoints, not to mention many caves. Much of the walk is shaded. Really very nice.

This unmarked route, which sometimes even leaves the trails, requires an IGN map and GPS, and leads to remote and wild areas of the Bois de Païolive and the upper part of the Ruisseau du Granzon.

The village of Chauzon is located at the end of a plateau surrounded by the Ardèche, the Ligne and the Gournier stream. Following the edge of this plateau, this hike will reveal beautiful views of these three valleys. These viewpoints are located on rocks at the top of cliffs. Access is not vertiginous, but please be careful with children.

A hilly walk through green oaks between Pradons and Lagorce. Beautiful views of the Ardèche cliffs on the final descent.

Vineyards and olive groves at the foot of the Montagne de la Serre and Serre de Cruzières. Panoramic view of the Barjac plain and the Cévennes.

A beautiful, easy walk that takes you through the shade of the trees in the Ardèche scrubland (very pleasant in the sometimes intense heat) before offering a beautiful view of the Ardèche and the Pont d'Arc.

A short hike with no major difficulties, but best avoided during hot weather. The elevation gain is low, and overall the paths are not too difficult and are often marked in yellow. It is possible to descend to the Cotepatière resurgence and back, preferably after rain, otherwise it is dry. I am providing the details of the "les résurgences" hike, which you walk along for a while.

This is a short route without any major difficulties and is well marked (yellow and white from point2).The path is a little technical after the tombs but not really difficult.