Lalevade-d'Ardèche walks

This route allows you to discover very wild areas, evidence of the long-ago abandonment of agricultural activities (chestnut groves), beautiful paths, the remains of a dense network of non-motorised rural communications, and views of the many hamlets, valleys, hills and neighbouring mountains that will make you forget a few less poetic passages.

A former mining town, Lalevade-d’Ardèche is neither the best known nor the most popular of the Ardèche’s towns. Its surroundings are nonetheless charming: unspoilt countryside, picturesque hamlets, and beautiful views over valleys, hills and mountains. This extensive route offers a glimpse of them.

North of Lalevade-d'Ardèche, a hilly area is heavily affected by agricultural desertification. It is little known, except to its inhabitants and local hikers, but is nevertheless worth a detour. In Ardèche, the landscapes are beautiful everywhere. And this hike allows you to discover a gem, the Romanesque church of Niègles, rescued from ruin around 1980 by the Association des Amis de Niègles.

This hike takes you along country and forest paths south of Prades with beautiful views to the north-west over the Salindre valley and, further away, the Monts de Ladenne and Sainte-Marguerite, but also over the south of the Ardèche as you pass along the ridge overlooking Lentillères. The use of an IGN map and the Visorando app's GPS is essential.

Although its altitude barely exceeds 500 m, the Chalancon hill offers extensive views to the north over the Ardèche and Fontaulière valleys and to the south as far as Mont Ventoux. Much of the hike follows shaded paths through pine woods. The entire route is marked in yellow and white.

The spa town of Vals-les-Bains is nestled within a fairly steep, partly volcanic landscape that largely overlooks it from the north-west and north-east. Up in the hills, the old farming settlements are still clearly visible in the valleys and on the slopes. Thieure is a hamlet perched on a promontory overlooking Vals. A steep climb leads up to it. The landscape is the reward.

Don't forget your cameras for this walk, which will take you up to a ridge where you can enjoy exceptional views of the Ardèche plateau, the Aubenas basin and the Vercors. You will then plunge into the undergrowth to discover the small hamlets of Lentillères.In spring, the flora is very interesting.

A magnificent hike that will take you to the summit of Pic de Ladenne with a 360° view of Jaujac and its volcano, the Tanargue massif, the Thueyts valley, Pont de Labeaume, Sainte-Marguerite, Fabras...

This circular route starts at Ucel church and climbs up to the château and then the hermitage, taking you to the hamlet of Fromenteyrol. It then passes the hamlet of Crottes de Saint-Julien-du-Serre, leading you to Sandron and then the communal woods of Ucel. Ideal for enjoying the colours of autumn or the blooms of spring.

Starting from the Pont de Veyrières silk mill eco-museum, climb towards Chirols and then the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel, a summit bristling with various antennas and the highest point of the route, offering a magnificent view of the Coiron and the Ardèche Cévennes. Return via the Revescu ridges, with views over the plateau, and descend via the hamlet of Aubignas to the starting point.

Starting from Jaujac, climb up to Pic de Ladenne and Rocher de Courcoussat and descend via a circular route to Pont de l'Echelette in Bonneval. Magnificent panoramic views of the ridge line.

Robert, aged 86, led this hike around Meyras (December 2017), passing by the châteaux of Ventadour and Hautségur, then through the heights of Neyrac and the Souilhol volcanic flow. The route is a bit winding and involves some road walking, but it reveals a diverse and very distinctive area of the upper Ardèche.

Between Jaujac and La Souche, the Lignon valley is an open valley, dominated to the north by the Rocher du Midi and to the south by the Tanargue massif. The hike takes you along the left bank, where you can admire old buildings and walk along beautiful, pleasant paths dotted with old bridges crossing streams, then back along the right bank and a succession of old hamlets.

Starting from Jaujac, there is a magnificent Roman bridge and impressive basalt columns on the banks of the Lignon. Tour via the Pont de l'Échelette, the Château de Rochemure (Maison du Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche) and finally climb the Coupe de Jaujac volcano with a tour of the crater.

An easy walk with beautiful views of Aubenas, the Sainte-Marguerite mountain, Saint-Julien-du-Serre and, in the distance, the Col de l'Escrinet and the Coiron volcanic massif. Take your time to stroll through the old fortified village of Vieil Ucel and don't miss a quick trip to the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.

Seen from the Col d'Aizac, the summit of La Tour is an almost perfect pyramid. The advantage is that, once at the top, you have 360° views without moving from the spot, simply by turning your head. It overlooks the Besorgues and Bourges valleys, the Juvinas and Moucheyre passes... as well as its little sister, Sainte-Marguerite, just to the south. A few sections off the beaten track, with no markings... for a bit of adventure!

From chestnut trees to the moorland that precedes the Ardèche plateau, along beautiful paths with wide views, this is a relatively short but varied circular route with a slight elevation gain and a somewhat challenging start to the descent.

A beautiful walk through the chestnut groves on both the Volane and Besorgues sides. On the upper part, around the Cime de Rouyon, there is an unobstructed view of the Ardèche plateau to the north and west, and to the east and south, the Coiron, the Alps, the Cévennes and the Tanargue.

Second stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard, which takes you back to your starting point from the previous day via a different route: the Ray-Pic waterfall.After passing the summit of the Rouyon massif, descend towards the Besorgues river and climb up the other side towards the Ardèche plateau, where broom gives way to wild blueberries.

The Besorgues is one of many rivers, not to say "torrents" during Cévennes phenomena, which rises on the edge of the Ardèche plateau, then flows southwards down the steep slopes of the Ardèche Cévennes, ending its course in the Ardèche. Halfway along its course, north of Freyssenet (a small hamlet of Labastide/Besorgues), lies a little treasure, hidden away in the middle of unspoilt nature: secret swimming spots in a heavenly setting.

The Volane rises on the edge of the Ardèche plateau, at an altitude of 1,400 m, near Lachamp-Raphaël (the highest village in the Ardèche). In its upper reaches, it is a mountain torrent, rushing southwards down steep slopes. At Antraigues-sur-Volane, the gradient eases and the more docile torrent becomes a river, eventually joining the waters of the Ardèche. This hike will take you on a journey through this section of the Volane and the surrounding ridges around Antraigues.

At a height of 808m, the Aizac Volcano is of the Strombolian type: eruption, explosion, lava flows. It towers over the village from its height of 80,000 years. The basalt flow resulting from its activity has a remarkable prismatic structure, which can be seen in particular near Antraigues-sur-Volane. This is an easy, themed walk that is suitable for families and will interest children: information panels are placed along the route to educate young and old alike.

A short, easy hike in the Ardèche Cévennes, to discover a few hamlets, pretty chestnut groves, a few streams with crystal-clear water and, above all, one of the lesser-known highlights of the Besorgues valley: the Rocher de Casse-Noix (854 m). The name alone makes us want to go there for a picnic.

This second stage of the Three Valleys circular walk takes you to Saint-Julien-du-Serre, the starting point of the previous day’s walk, via a different route. Following the ridge for the first part, you will once again descend into the coolness of the three valleys. You’ll pass through the magnificent hamlet of Thieurre, perched on its rocky outcrop offering breathtaking views of the Lower Ardèche, the Volane Valley and the Besorgues Valley.

This is a short, easy hike with a wide variety of landscapes: meadows at the bottom of the Oize valley, more austere wooded slopes of the Sandron valley, pine forests and sandstone rocks towards Champestève or Fromenteyrol.

A circular two-day tour in the Ardèche Cévennes. Three valleys, three magnificent rivers with pure, crystal-clear waters, nature all around... Antraigues-sur-Volane, the home of Jean Ferrat, the steep slopes between the Lower Ardèche and the Ardèche Plateau, the deep valleys, the young volcanoes of the Ardèche and... the chestnut groves! All just ten kilometres north of Aubenas.

This first stage of the circular Three Valleys Loop takes you from Saint-Julien-du-Serre to Aizac. After a gentle warm-up on flat terrain in the Oize Valley, discover the land of the chestnut in the Cévennes of the Ardèche! Pass through hamlets tucked away along the paths and picturesque villages: Saint-Andéol-de-Vals, Genestelle, Antraigues-sur-Volane, Aizac. Sometimes at the bottom of the valley, sometimes along the ridge... often in the shade.

A route between Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon and Ailhon offering a variety of landscapes. Some lovely views, with just one slightly steep and slippery climb.

This hike provides access to the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel via a less well-trodden route. It passes through several authentic hamlets and offers stunning views throughout the route.

Clinging to the slopes of the Bourges valley, on the gentlest of hillsides, the hamlets bear witness to a way of life that has vanished, traces of which remain in a landscape that is gradually closing in: beautiful buildings, meadows, fields and vineyards still tended, chestnut groves and blueberries. This is the heart of the Ardèche Hautes Cévennes.

From Le Ranc to Aubignas, Aubignas to Le Libonès, and Le Libonès to Les Terrisses, there were once footpaths that were essential for life and trade between these hamlets. This hike offers the chance to rediscover these traces. You may have to search around a bit, either because the paths have been abandoned or because work has altered their course. The path between Cros du Libonès and Les Terrisses, long abandoned, is once again passable with a modified route.

This easy walk allows you, over a short distance, to discover beautiful landscapes and places that bear witness to the former rural way of life in the Ardèche: hamlets, farms, meadows, chestnut groves, terraced vineyards and a mill.

After the Sainte-Philomène Chapel, the highest point (3) of the forest road (890m) offers a stunning aerial view of Jaujac and its volcanic caldera. To the east, the foothills of the Vercors; closer by, the Coiron, the Escrinet and the Roche de Gourdon; below, to the north, Jaujac and the Lignon valley; and to the west, the Tanargue and the Cham du Cros.

Walk along the banks and heights of the Bourges River, which is well exposed to the south and offers beautiful panoramic views.

A walk of no great difficulty, despite a few stony and somewhat steep sections, which will allow you to discover the village of Ailhon and the Crouzet complex. Much of the route is shaded by pine trees, which is a welcome relief on summer days.

This walk consists of two short circular loops connected by a short return trip. It takes you through a relatively unknown area of central Ardèche where the agricultural footprint is still clearly visible. You will pass from slopes to ridges and valleys following the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges. You will enjoy the wide views and landscapes. At the northernmost point, you will stop at an ancient mill dating back several centuries, known as "Le Moulin de Raoul" (see below).

An easy walk around the Luol River with beautiful panoramic views, passing through typical hamlets and the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.After the Houme signpost, the end of the route is very pleasantly original, taking a shaded path lined with box trees to the Croix des Lépreux and then walking between canals and the Ardèche river.

The Col de Bonne Rencontre connects the two valleys of La Ligne and La Lande. Several hamlets perched on the heights offer magnificent views, on one side of the Cévennes, on the other of Mont Ventoux. You will pass through chestnut groves, olive groves, vineyards and sheep pastures. The hamlets, which bear witness to a thriving agricultural industry in the 19th century, have been beautifully restored and are well maintained.

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.

La Cham du Cros is the peak at the eastern end of the Tanargue massif. From there, the view stretches from the mountains of the south to the north of the Alps and, on a clear day, as far as Mont Blanc.

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.

Between Prunet and Jaujac, the Col de la Croix de Millet offers a beautiful view of the Ligne valley to the south and the Lignon valley to the north. The climb to the Col du Merle and the return after Pissas are through woodland, while the bare ridges of the Cham du Cros offer beautiful views of the southern Ardèche from the Vagorge valley and the Tour de Brison in the Cévennes, the Rhône valley and Mont Ventoux to the east, and Mont Lozère to the west.

A pleasant, shaded short walk through typical Vivarais countryside: pine forests, chestnut groves, olive trees and vineyards. You will pass through two hamlets on the heights of Chassiers: the hamlet of Montquoquiol, then the pretty hamlet of La Rouvière. The view stretches out on one side over the Val de Ligne with its peak, the Cham du Cros, and across the southern Ardèche as far as Mont Ventoux.

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.

A circular route starting from Thueyts, leading to the Col de Fontfreyde, where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and returning to the starting point via the magnificent stone staircase known as the Queen's Ladder.

The route passes through the ruined hamlet of Fargebelle and crosses the northern flank of the Ardèche via a track that offers panoramic views of the peaks overlooking the opposite bank. You will also discover the splendid sites of the Devil's Bridge and the magnificent paved slanting streets of the Queen's Ladder and the King's Ladder.

An "airy" hike which will yield fine views over the Ardèche Cévennes, the Ardèche valley to the south and the Fontaulière valley to the north. The route follows some of the paths maintained for the "Giants' Causeway Trail" and overall is thus very practicable and without difficulty. A large part of the walk is waymarked white and yellow. Best done in May/June when the broom is in flower.

Superb hike on the Cime de Rouyon and the Rocher de Faux-Fay. Splendid panorama on the sides of the Bésorgues valley where paths, paved slanting streets, terraces and pastures draw the Ardèche mountain landscape: exceptional and wild landscape, magnificent basalt rocks, streams, torrents, impetuous waterfalls.

This magnificent hike in Vivarais Cévenol follows trails and ridge paths offering beautiful views. The Bésorgues river, blocked by basalt flows, has shaped some remarkable sites. The ancient lava lake of Ranc Ranier and the prismatic neck of the Cheylard rock, from which you can enjoy a vast and exceptional 360° panorama, are geological curiosities not to be missed.

This beautiful and challenging hike will take you on a short journey to discover the passages invented by the locals to cross the basalt flows, take you to the old summer pastures of Fargebelle through steep chestnut groves, and as a bonus, show you the two magnificent bridges that span the Ardèche on either side of Thueyts.

A somewhat steep climb up an old paved slanting street, but once at the top, your efforts are rewarded with a superb view of the upper Ardèche valley at the Col de Fontfreyde, followed by a 360° view from the summit of the Rocher du Midi. After a beautiful stretch along the ridge, the less steep descent zigzags between the various hamlets of La Souche.

An easy hike in the hills above Vesseaux, where you will discover a few hamlets. Beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding villages. The route passes through beautiful chestnut groves and cherry orchards. Best seen in autumn when the chestnut trees change colour or in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom.

Although the highest point is not very high, this hike, mostly along ridges, offers beautiful views of the Ardèche and the Aubenas region.

A hike to the end of the world (although close to the city) where you will hardly meet anyone. You will feel like you are at the end of the world as you descend to the bottom of a canyon, part of which you will hike along its most interesting length. A feeling of adventure and action, Indiana Jones is not far away.

An easier variant of the "Louyre Canyon via the Dolmen de l'Houlme" hike, allowing you to discover this magnificent little wild spot without venturing into the canyon (reserved for experienced hikers or connoisseurs). Discover the ancient structures around a stream that had a greater and more regular flow in the last century, and enjoy beautiful views of the canyon.

This short hike offers beautiful views of the Ardèche plain, from Saint-Sernin to Aubenas. As a bonus, you can search for the remains of dolmens on the Serre Bastel, a treasure hunt that will delight children. On the way back, the trail passes by the Tour de Ville, the remains of a ruined castle that has unfortunately been abandoned.

This walk takes place almost entirely on the Plateau des Gras, a limestone plateau pierced by karstic caves, rather arid on the western side and more wooded on the eastern side. It will also give you an original view of the village of Vogüé, an old quarry whose stones were exported as far as Paris and, if you look carefully, the remains of dolmens.

With its wild and exotic appearance, the Louyre Canyon is a classic destination for all hikers in the region. This circuit takes you from one end to the other, then back up the top with beautiful views. As a bonus, since this year, you can once again see traces of beaver activity. The climb up the canyon is not very easy, and in one or two places you have to use your hands, but it is quite doable, even with children.

This is a lovely route that takes you from the village of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne to Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne via the fortified castle of Boulogne. The ruins, listed as a Historic Monument, date from the 11th century.

Between limestone plateau and volcanic relief, this hike reflects the diversity of the southern Ardèche, including crossing areas that are still agricultural, from the impressive fortified village of Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, which dominates the route, to the inevitable dolmens, passing by magnificent views of the Louyre gorges.

A page of history for children and adults. 2,800 years ago, the Helvetii - long before the Gauls - settled in this region and built their first fortified villages on the cliffs. Julius Caesar himself described these enclosed and isolated places as "Oppidum". The Romans, who colonised the region from the 1st century AD onwards, finished the job. Further south is the "Camp de César", a Roman camp. The return path runs very close to the edge of the cliff, so please be careful.

This hike will take you past the remains of oppida dating from the first century BC. The Jastres Sud oppidum, ‘Le Camp de César’, barely rises above the ground, but the Jastres Nord rampart is impressive.As an added bonus, and for those who aren’t particularly interested in historical remains, the path along the edge of the plateau offers magnificent views of the Ardèche.

The commune of Chassiers covers a large area, bordered by the River Ligne on the side of the Camping des Ranchisses / Largentière, and by the Lande, which flows through a pretty valley before joining the Ligne at Uzer; the Ligne then joins the Ardèche at Ruoms. Between the rivers lies a landscape of cultivated terraces (faysses), a multitude of hamlets and panoramic views of the Cévennes, Mont Ventoux, the Vercors and the Alps. Chassiers is a village with the “Village de caractères” designation, featuring narrow streets, a square where you can stop for a drink, chapels and a fortified church. Halfway along the route, a refreshing, shaded stop is available by the river.

"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.

This walk around the village of Montpezat-sous-Bauzon will take you past several of the village’s monuments. The route, which takes you along paths and through woodland, over stone-paved slanting streets and through the village itself, is easy and very well signposted in pink, as its name suggests. It was created by Montpezat Town Hall to mark Pink October, paying tribute to all those fighting cancer.

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.

A short walk from Montpezat to the hamlets of Les Grisières and Le Villaret, passing through a chestnut grove - the only slight difficulty on the route - and the humpback bridge, for a family outing.

Thanks to its geographical location, on the border between the southern Ardèche and the Monts d'Ardèche, Montpezat-sous-Bauzon is an ideal place to discover the astonishing lay and religious heritage of the area, from the fertile valley to the wild, rocky pastures, with remarkable views of the mountains and the Fontaulière plain. As you return to the valley, a rose garden awaits you for a moment of olfactory and visual pleasure.

This hike is reserved for hikers with some climbing and balance skills, who are in good physical condition and have basic orienteering skills to navigate the old path. Vertigo may be an issue. Take great care on the section known as the "Chemin Tortueux" where you will need to use your hands to get through. Otherwise, there are some beautiful views, passing through chestnut groves, cherry orchards, pastures and even beehives.

Superb trails and landscapes. Between Burzet and Les Sausses, on the left bank, the old Lachamp-Raphaël road is one of the most beautiful paved slanting streets in the Ardèche. On the right bank, on the way back, the old peatland road also has a wide, well-preserved paved slanting street under the chestnut trees and leads to the Roman road.

Hike with varied landscapes, the Bourges valley with its basalt flows, chestnut woods and blueberry fields, hamlets with old houses. Superb view from the summit.

From Burzet to Péreyres, paths lead down from the farms on the Ardèche plateau near the peatland-and-Goudoulet to the nearest town. The farmers of the plateau brought their butter and cheese to the markets. Here you will discover two types of paths: one designed for carts, the other for mules at best, but both were used for trade until the middle of the last century.

The ancient Vestide du Pal volcano is what is known as a filled maar crater! Approximately 1,700 m in diameter and 150 m deep, it could be the largest maar crater in Europe. This route will take you along ancient Roman roads that connect the valley to the plateau, passing through various levels of vegetation. In addition to this first volcano, there are two others to discover along the way: Lac Ferrand (a maar filled with water) and Le Chambon, which is completely dry. A volcanic hike, then...

Visit Rocles and its hamlets, pretty villages in the Ardèche. Walk in the chestnut grove. The Tour de Brison offers a fantastic 360° view for 100 km around.

A short, unpretentious hike along little-used paths on the Gras de Lanas. The cave itself is nothing spectacular, but it is a good destination for a walk and the little valley that leads to it is very pleasant. The rest of the route is a more classic walk on the Gras, but partly on unmarked paths, which are sometimes prettier.

Hike starting from the village of Vogüé through typical "gras" landscapes. Beautiful views of the village, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, and the Aubenas plain.

An easy hike on a limestone plateau with few trees. Beautiful views of the Ardèche valley and the surrounding mountains.

A short circular loop above Vogüe, for an easy late-afternoon stroll (though with a bit of an incline) amidst the holm oaks.

This hike, alternating between passages in the woods and wide open spaces, will take you to the highest point of Gras de Vogüé, where you can enjoy a 360° view of the entire plateau. Many routes have already been described in this area. The chosen route takes less well-known paths, some of which are not marked on the IGN map (see practical information). This allows you to discover new paths, new viewpoints and encounter fewer people, especially in summer.

The village of Vogüé is very busy in the summer and parking is a real challenge. From the hamlet of Les Chazes, situated on the plateau above Vogüé, you can enjoy a lovely walk and take in splendid views of the village, the castle and the Ardèche valley without the drawbacks of the site’s overcrowding.

A very pleasant walk that takes you along narrow paths in places and wide ones in others. The scenery is magnificent and, apart from a few slightly rocky sections, the route poses no problems and is suitable for the whole family, including dogs, who can run to their heart’s content (just keep them on a lead around the Chapelle Saint-Cérice). However, it is not suitable for pushchairs.