The Daronne Valley via Saint-Sorny

Start from the junction between Route de la Combe de Beaune and Route de Clauzel.

(S/E) Head east and follow Route de Clauzel. After about 150 m, turn left onto a carriageway (Chemin de Saint-Sormy). Descend with a beautiful view of the Daronne valley on your right. Cross several streams and you will come to a fork.

(1) Take the path on the right. Continue straight ahead, north-northeast, until you reach the hamlet of Saint-Sorny and its chapel.

(2) Retrace your steps to return to the previous fork.

(1) Take the hairpin bend to the right and follow the beautiful path that winds through the forest of chestnut, oak and Scots pine trees. Continue uphill until you reach a place called La Grange.

(3) Follow a carriageway to the right.

(4) You will come to a small road; follow it to the left. Ignore all the turnings on either side and continue until you reach Grand Besseas.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the same road. Ignore a turn-off on the left, veer right and then take a sharp left turn. Continue straight ahead to the starting point (S/E).

Access to the starting point:
From Saint-Félicien, take the D234 to Colombier-le-Vieux. From the main street heading towards Tournon, at the restaurant, turn left onto Route de Clauzel towards La Freydière - Palisse. Leave La Daronne on your left and continue straight ahead on Route de Clauzel. At the stone cross, continue on the main road on the left, straight ahead for about 3 km to reach the car park and the hiking signpost located at the crossroads.

The secret nature of the Gorges de la Daronne
Just a few kilometres from the Rhône Valley, there is an exceptional site, hidden and protected, in an area recently designated a "Sensitive Natural Area" by the Ardèche Department: the Gorges de la Daronne. Discover the secrets of this place that is both so close and yet so remote on this walk full of surprises in a breathtaking valley. To get the most out of this interpretive trail, you will need to purchase the accompanying materials. Put on your walking shoes! Interpretive trail on site (kit available for purchase at tourist offices).

Saint-Sorny Chapel
Please note: You are on private property. Access is permitted with the kind permission of the owners. Please respect the site. Only the chapel is open to visitors. Welcome to the Chapel of Saint Sorny, a little gem from^{the 13th} century nestled in a bend of the Daronne river. It has been a place of pilgrimage on Easter Monday since 1673, when two annual masses were held in the chapel to ensure its funding. One was on Easter Monday and the other on Saint Saturnin's Day (29 December). The latter was believed to relieve children's headaches.
Source: Traces d'histoire dans les gorges de la Daronne (Traces of history in the Daronne Gorges) by Sylvette Béraud-Williams and Christian Louis Astier, published by Ardèche verte

View
View of the Daronne Gorges below.