The Antraigues-sur-Volane circular route

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A circular two-day tour in the Cévennes of the Ardèche.
Antraigues-sur-Volane: a picturesque village full of character perched on a rocky outcrop, about fifteen kilometres north of Aubenas. It is also known as the home of the late poet Jean Ferrat.

This two-day hike will take you on a journey to discover ‘his’ mountain, the stone walls, the paved slanting streets, the chestnut groves and the steep slopes leading down to deep valleys: the Volane, the Bise and the Mas. Water everywhere.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 27.49 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6,821 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6,831 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,176 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 981 ft

Photos

Le Mazoyer
Le Rocher de la Clé (à gauche) et le Rocher des Aigles (à droite)
Vallée de la Volane
Vallée de la Besorgues

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Grande Boucle d'Antraigues sur Volane: de Bise au Col d'Aizac

    Circular Loop of Antraigues-sur-Volane: from Bise to the Col d'Aizac

    ↔13.65 mi ↗3,563 ft ↘3,353 ft
    First circular stage of the Grand Boucle d'Antraigues-sur-Volane, which takes you from Bise, a small hamlet at the bottom of the valley, to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes of the Ardèche, perched on its pass between Volane and Besorgues. With crystal-clear rivers, passes offering breathtaking views and numerous hamlets along the way, the mountains are far from barren: life, water and nature are everywhere.
    View the route
  2. E
    Grande Boucle d'Antraigues sur Volane: du Col d'Aizac à Bise

    Antraigues-sur-Volane Circular Loop: from the Col d’Aizac to Bise

    ↔13.84 mi ↗3,255 ft ↘3,478 ft
    The second circular stage of the Grand Boucle d’Antraigues-sur-Volane, which, via a different route, takes you back to your starting point from the previous day: Bise. You’ll discover, in particular, the more rocky side of the Volane Valley upstream from Antraigues-sur-Volane. Then there are sections along the ridges, inviting you to contemplate the wild natural surroundings.
    View the route

Notes

- Rocky paths; make sure you wear sturdy shoes.

- Drinking water and provisions available in all the villages you pass through, particularly Genestelle, Saint-Andéol de Vals and Aizac on the first day.
On the second day, you’ll pass through fewer villages; plan accordingly.

- (E) Aizac: end of the first stage and start of the second.
Restaurants, a bar and a small grocery shop in the village.
Accommodation available at the “Le Volcan d’Aizac” lodge and B&B – 04 75 38 77 81 – breakfast, packed lunches, etc.

Worth a visit

- (S) Bise: Small inn “Chez Christiane” 04 75 38 70 19

- (S) Bise: in summer, in July/August, don’t miss the “Mercredis de Bise” (late afternoons in July and August): a local farmers’ market – with barbecues, tables and benches provided – where you can cook and enjoy what you’ve just bought. A friendly atmosphere is guaranteed.

- (4) Genestelle: enjoy the views over the Lower Ardèche and the Vercors. This pretty village’s name means ‘where the stars are born’.

- Antraigues: Jean Ferrat’s village. Place de la Résistance, House-Museum, a village of character (and a tourist destination) perched on a rocky outcrop.

- (E) Col d’Aizac: A pretty, peaceful village surrounded by nature. At the foot of the Volcan d’Aizac.
You can go on a themed walk exploring the ancient activity of the Volcan d’Aizac. A short hike of 1 to 2 hours takes you to the summit, with information boards along the route.You can contact the “Le Volcan d’Aizac” lodge and guesthouse, where they’ll be happy to provide information and lend you documents and guidebooks about this 80,000-year-old volcano, which is now extinct… unfortunately!

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Savitri
Savitri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike on 5 and 6 February 2024: two truly lovely days away from it all! We only came across a few people over the two days; the hamlets are very peaceful, and the paths are varied, winding through forests and along ridges with magnificent, unobstructed views.
It was around 15 degrees during the day, with plenty of sunshine. The ‘Le Volcan’ lodge at the Col d’Aizac is very good – simple and affordable, with breakfast included. Make sure to pack picnics for both days as there are no shops along the routes.
It took us about 7 hours each day, walking at a steady pace but without rushing.
Well worth a go!

Machine-translated

Pégase07530
Pégase07530

Hello;
Thank you for your feedback!
You say: “The two-day circular route is very difficult for a group comprising people who are moderately experienced as well as those who are completely new to hiking.”
This hike is classified as “difficult”, covering over 44 km with more than 2,000 m of elevation gain over two days! The decision to take such a group on this hike in such hot weather was perhaps not the best one....
There are plenty of other, more accessible hikes on offer in the area.
Eric

Machine-translated

Castor Fossile
Castor Fossile

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The two-day circular route is very challenging for a group comprising people who are moderately experienced as well as those who are completely new to hiking. The first part of the route is gruelling and we were unable to complete it in a single day. It passes through some lovely spots, but there isn’t really a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the area. The following day, we therefore altered our route to a shorter one that took us to a summit from which we could see the whole region, 45 minutes south-west of Bise. It is possible to camp on the football pitch at Antraïgues, below the village.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Circular Loop of Antraigues-sur-Volane: from Bise to the Col d'Aizac

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↔13.65 mi ↗+3,563 ft ↘-3,353 ft ◔9h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Genestelle (Ardèche)
First circular stage of the Grand Boucle d'Antraigues-sur-Volane, which takes you from Bise, a small hamlet at the bottom of the valley, to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes of the Ardèche, perched on its pass between Volane and Besorgues. With crystal-clear rivers, passes offering breathtaking views and numerous hamlets along the way, the mountains are far from barren: life, water and nature are everywhere.

Walking Le Champ de Mars - on the heights of Antraigues-sur-Volane

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Le Champ de Mars - sur les hauteurs d'Antraigues-sur-Volane
↔11.34 mi ↗+2,740 ft ↘-2,713 ft ◔7h 35 ▲Difficult
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"Champ" is a deformation of "Cham": a rocky, bare plateau. From this plateau, the Monts d'Ardèche appear as if shaped by geological forces, at the centre of a gigantic amphitheatre formed by the Cévennes, the volcanoes of Auvergne, the Vercors and the Alps. Monumental landmarks in the history of the Earth. A grandiose scene where the presence of man seems very discreet, yet his mark is clearly there, engraved in the landscape. Wild valleys with crystal-clear waters.

Walking Antraigues-sur-Volane, Jean Ferrat’s adopted village

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Antraigues-sur-Volane, village d'adoption de Jean Ferrat
↔2.60 mi ↗+407 ft ↘-407 ft ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
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Adopted by the famous singer Jean Ferrat, who made his home here, this charming little village overlooks the Volane Valley and offers an experience rich in history and emotion. A route that allows you to stroll through picturesque narrow streets, discover various geological sites, and pay your respects at the grave of this singer-songwriter.

Walking Tour of Ranc Chabrier and Mas Valley

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↔8.57 mi ↗+1,624 ft ↘-1,624 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
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A very beautiful hike in volcanic Ardèche: magnificent scenery, rocky peaks, scree, clapas. The lava flow at Antraigues, from the young Aizac volcano (approximately 80,000 years old), invaded the Mas, Bise and Volane valleys due to the steepness of the terrain, leaving numerous traces of this eruptive period. The promontory on which the village is built, with its variety of colours and shapes, is surprising.

Walking Around the volcano and Château de Craux

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Autour du volcan et Château de Craux
↔4.70 mi ↗+1,053 ft ↘-1,056 ft ◔3h 05 ▲Moderate
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You will discover a magnificent view of the Hautes Cévennes Ardéchoises and the land of young volcanoes. The Château de Craux is located in the commune of Genestelle, at an altitude of around 650 m. It is built on the crater of the volcano (neck). It stands in the middle of vast meadows, surrounded by a superb chestnut grove, and overlooks the Volane and Sandron valleys. 6/10/2023 Moderator's message: at point (4) hike modified because the educational trail around the neck plateau has been closed.

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Vestiges de la ferme de Rouyon depuis Laviolle
↔6.01 mi ↗+1,627 ft ↘-1,634 ft ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Laviolle (Ardèche)
A hike of moderate physical difficulty along the steep paths of the Ardèche Hautes Cévennes, offering incredible views over the Volane valley. A magnificent, vertiginous section requires caution but also calls for silence to minimise disturbance to nesting birds. The mid-mountain forest cover and refreshing stops by the streams make it very pleasant in summer.

Walking Le Champ de Mars – Le Mazoyer

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↔7.87 mi ↗+2,136 ft ↘-2,133 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Marcols-les-Eaux (Ardèche)
A circular walk offering magnificent 360° views of the Ardèche mountains… provided, of course, that the sky is clear.

Walking The summit of Rouyon from Aizac

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La cime de Rouyon depuis Aizac
↔3.86 mi ↗+1,516 ft ↘-1,516 ft ◔3h 05 ▲Moderate
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