Issarlès walks

A magnificent discovery of the wild Loire and its tributary, the Orcival, hidden at the foot of Issarlès, with pretty pools, beautiful waterfalls and basalt cliffs. A short and easy hike, but one that still requires good footwear and a minimum of agility to navigate the sometimes slippery slabs along the banks of the Loire.

This is a lovely walk with many views of Lake Issarlès from the Col de Gage and the Suc de Cherchemuse in particular, as well as the confluence of the Gage and the Loire and the surrounding mountains. The diverse landscapes will allow you to discover the richness of the Ardèche plateau: lava flows, wild raspberry bushes, volcanic rocks, Scots pines, beech trees, larch trees and more.

A circular route for exploring the pretty Orcival valley, one of the first tributaries of the Loire. Part of the route is on a very quiet little road through the forest. Very pretty views of the Mézenc plateau.

Tour of Lake Issarlès, with its clear waters, in the ancient crater of a volcano.

A beautiful circular hike, full of panoramic views, to discover the western part of the Mézenc plateau, with the Orcival, a tributary of the Loire, as your guide. Sometimes high up with the knolls as your horizon, sometimes flowing with the torrent as your guide, this is a hike in the heart of authentic Mézenc. Please note that this route includes a section of approximately 400 m across pastures, off the beaten track, as well as several fords across the torrent. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

A long walk alternating between panoramic views and beautiful woodland, discovering the Rocher Tourte, the water tower for the neighbouring villages, but also a playground for climbers in summer and sled dogs in winter.

A lovely hike with little elevation gain. In the distance, the peaks of Mézenc. Alternating meadows, pretty hamlets and forests. Château de Vachères at the start.

When it gets too hot in southern Ardèche, hiking in fine weather on the Ardèche plateau can be a good idea. This circular loop starting from a local centre mostly follows farm tracks or small roads, with beautiful views of the volcanic knolls in places.

The point of interest on this route is linked to the history of the Transcévenole, an old railway line, and the Récoumène Viaduct. It also offers beautiful views of the region.

Panoramic walk around Freycenet-la Cuche with views of Mont Mézenc.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

At the confluence of three streams, the Gage, the Sagne-Morte and the Tauron, EDF built a dam known as the Gage dam (Moulin de Peyron on IGN maps) in the 1950s to supply the Montpezat-sous-Bauzon power station. I suggest you take a tour of the dam starting from Cros-de-Géorand, following a hiking route suggested by La Montagne Ardéchoise. You will discover magnificent landscapes as well as paths through beech woods that are over a hundred years old.

Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).