The forest and village of Les Chambons in Tanargue

In the Tanargue massif, starting from the family ski resort of Croix de Bauzon, this hike takes you along trails in the heart of the Chambons National Forest, passing through the village of the same name.

Details

14585
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 476 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 483 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,453 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,150 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Croix de Bauzon station.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the path that passes under the reception building and the garage (vehicle workshop).

(1) At the crossroads, follow the Route Forestière des Mayres on the right.

(2) At the next intersection, turn left onto the Route Forestière des Sagnes, heading towards the Col de Meyrand.

(3) Turn left onto Route Forestière du Pradas (towards Col de Meyrand). At the crossroads (altitude 1,440 m), continue straight ahead.

(4) After the descent, you will arrive near two buildings. Drive past them. Immediately, at the crossroads near the picnic tables, turn right to join the road to the pass.

(5) Cut across this road and turn slightly to your right to join a path that runs alongside a fence and leads to a wider path further on. Take this path on the left. At the next crossroads, take the path that climbs uphill. Leave the forest to arrive at a three-way junction.

(6) Turn right (towards Borne) for about 20 metres, then turn left onto the path that climbs uphill.

(7) At the next fork, on the ridge, continue straight ahead and ignore the path that branches off to the right. At the entrance to the woods, continue straight ahead.

(8) You will arrive at an area ravaged by fire. At the next intersection, ignore the path that branches off to the right and continue straight ahead. Then pass two paths that branch off to the right in a V shape and continue in the same direction.

(9) At the second hairpin bend, turn right and at the next intersection, turn sharply left. Pass a path on the left, veer right with the path and stay on it, heading east-northeast for about 2km on a flat section.

(10) Cross the Bouquet bridge over the Loubeyre stream. Enter the hamlet of Les Chambons and continue straight ahead, following the tarmac road.

(11) Cross a bridge and pass a picnic area. Continue straight ahead on the tarmac road, then turn right onto a path to join the D24 road.

(12) Turn left and follow it for 150 metres, then turn right onto the Serre de l'Ubac forest road.

(13) At a crossroads, ignore the three paths leading off to the right and take the Route Forestière du Cros du Cerf on the left.

(14) Cross a bridge. At the next intersection, ignore the path that branches off to the left, then a path that climbs to the right above the main path.

(15) Continue climbing by taking a path on the right that makes a sharp right turn. Pass above the sports hall, turn left to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,365 m - Car park at the Croix de Bauzon station.
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 1,362 m - Maynes forest road on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.54 - alt. 1,395 m - Turn left onto the peatland forest road.
  4. 3 : km 2.19 - alt. 1,428 m - Turn left onto the Pradas forest road.
  5. 4 : km 3.93 - alt. 1,379 m - Buildings
  6. 5 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,370 m - Route du > - Col de Meyrand
  7. 6 : km 5.77 - alt. 1,370 m - Three-way junction, turn right then immediately left.
  8. 7 : km 6.55 - alt. 1,415 m - Junction, opposite
  9. 8 : km 7.22 - alt. 1,377 m - Area ravaged by fire.
  10. 9 : km 8.99 - alt. 1,281 m - Second hairpin bend, on the right
  11. 10 : km 13.6 - alt. 1,152 m - Bouquet Bridge. Towards - Borne (rivière)
  12. 11 : km 14.77 - alt. 1,153 m - Bridge
  13. 12 : km 15.12 - alt. 1,182 m - D24
  14. 13 : km 18.24 - alt. 1,323 m - Crossroads
  15. 14 : km 18.77 - alt. 1,300 m - Bridge
  16. 15 : km 19.8 - alt. 1,299 m - Fork in the road, take the path on the right.
  17. S/E : km 20.52 - alt. 1,365 m - Car park at the Croix de Bauzon station.

Notes

Basic equipment for moderate hiking: 2 litres of water, good hiking boots, rainwear, hats and sunglasses in summer.

This trail is suitable for mountain biking.

Worth a visit

Climbing: Coucoulude rock and Chambons de Borne rock.

Fishing: 3 mid-mountain rivers (the Borne, the Lignon and the Beaume).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Lulumoon
Lulumoon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Easy terrain (except for a very short, slightly rocky descent). I encountered a few mountain bikers. I did it without my dog, but she could have easily kept up. Most of the route is under trees, so it's nice and cool! I finished at 3 p.m. and it was 24 degrees, compared to 40 degrees in Vallon. A great hike for hot days! Thanks to the author!

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laruche49
laruche49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb hike, we only met two other hikers on the entire route. The hike is rated as difficult, but I think that's a bit of an exaggeration, because apart from the descent to the Col de Meyrand, nothing is particularly complicated. Otherwise, it was a great day.

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andre de siaugues
andre de siaugues

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Walked in winter weather, partly in clouds with strong winds. Fortunately, it cleared up around the Borne Gorges, so we took the opportunity to have a picnic. Rain towards the end from Les Chambons. A beautiful hike to do again in sunny weather.

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oru
oru

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant hike, three-quarters of which is through woods. Not signposted in the Bouquet woods area, which I navigated using a compass as I didn't have a GPS.
The descent via the GR4 is tricky, as the path has been damaged by bad weather.
A very enjoyable outing.
.

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besnault
besnault

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I haven't done this route yet. However, I downloaded the route from Dentelles de Montmiraille to Nyons and it was perfect, a lovely route with breathtaking views of the valleys.
Thank you.

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lantoglio
lantoglio

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike with magnificent scenery. Lots of shaded sections (which is nice in the July heat).
A very detailed description (which didn't stop us from walking an extra 3 km due to beginner's mistakes), all within the 6 hours indicated on the website (including breaks).
In the second half of July, you can gorge yourself on wild raspberries and blueberries.
To round off this hike and enjoy a pleasant evening of good food and company, I can also recommend a guest house in Borne. This is a small, traditional village 20-25 minutes from the starting point, where Magali and Thierry, two very friendly young farmers, will welcome you. This route can also be accessed from the village. You can also swim in the river when you arrive. Magalie will prepare a picnic for the hike on request.

https://www.ardeche-guide.com/hebergemen...

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PALACIO
PALACIO
• Edited:

I was born in Ardèche and I am from Largentière at heart. I learned to ski in La Croix de Bauzon.
Martine Palacio

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