Laurac-en-Vivarais walks

Discover the flora and, if you're lucky, the fauna, as well as the built heritage. This hike can be adapted to suit your preferences by following well-marked trails.

This short family walk through pine and oak woods will take you to the unmissable Chapeau du Gendarme, where you can stop for a picnic if you wish. The walk ends along the little Toufache stream, with a few small fords to cross.

This is a short family hike with no particular difficulties, marked in white and yellow from Largentière to Tauriers. Please note: there are no markings on the route from Tauriers back to Largentière. However, this does not pose any difficulty in terms of orientation if you follow the description carefully, as the direction and paths are fairly obvious.

Between Baume, Ardèche and Ligne, vast stretches of stony ground have been and are still partly cultivated, with olive trees now reigning supreme. The former silkworm farms have now been converted into homes but retain their old-world charm. Along the river, hanging gardens are still maintained and clearly visible on the banks on the sunny side of La Baume. The Ardèche and Chassezac rivers have created a vast plain where vineyards, fruit trees and gardens occupy the space.

The Plateau des Gras is a limestone plateau, cut by rivers, which stretches from the Païolive woods in the south-west to the slopes of Coiron in the north-east. The path along the edge offers unobstructed views of the entire Monts d'Ardèche mountain range and leads to several viewpoints over the Ligne valley. This route winds its way across a quasi-desert plateau dotted with numerous stone walls and piles of stones, evidence of a time when every square metre was exploited.

A short hike that will take you to many interesting sites around Chapias: the Notre-Dame Tower, the Maison Unal, the Remène waterfall and the Rocher des Curés site. Take care on certain tricky sections; please read the practical information carefully.

This vast south-facing valley surrounded by wooded areas (mainly pine trees) has retained its agricultural activities (vineyards, orchards, olive groves) and is dotted with several hamlets that are characteristic of southern Ardèche, even if there is some sprawl from recent residential developments. Streams and springs were equipped long ago with fountains and wash houses, sometimes in unexpected places.

This is a long hike that follows the Baume, first along the ledge on its left bank, then high up on its right bank (Falaise de Lunel). The final section, after point (21) , requires a lot of attention as the path entrances are often somewhat hidden, but after (23), the view is magnificent. From (12), you are in the middle of the heath and it can get very hot. I recommend setting off at dawn and taking plenty of drinks with you.

This pleasant hike takes you along beautiful paths from the old village of Vinezac to the hilltop hamlet of Merzelet through a varied environment (terraces returned to natural vegetation, pine forests, but also areas cultivated with vines, olive trees, and fruit trees). The distant landscape is magnificent, particularly at the top of the loop. The entire route is very well marked in yellow and white, with often recent markings.

According to an old legend, "every year the devil takes a stone" from La Tour de Brison. This restored medieval tower is now a very effective fire lookout post. For hikers, it offers a remarkable view of the mountain to the west and the wide landscape it overlooks to the east, stretching as far as Mont Ventoux on a clear day.

The gras are limestone plateaus characteristic of southern Ardèche. Here you can see low vegetation or trees: picards, junipers, Mediterranean shrubs, old mulberry trees left over from silkworm farming, various oaks and Montpellier maples. You will cross a karst landscape that is sometimes spectacular. This hike also offers a view from the top of the Beaume cliffs. You can stray from the path in search of karstic caves ( be careful at Réméjadou) and dolmens, sometimes lost in the woods.

This hike will take you through an enchanting forest above one of the region's large underground water networks, which can be seen in several places: in an underground cistern, at the bottom of a karstic cave, in the bed of an almost dry river, or at a resurgence. You will also see one of the most beautiful dolmen sites in southern Ardèche. Please note that the Aven du Reméjadou is extremely dangerous.

Spectacular hike off the beaten track and unmarked trails on the limestone plateau of Labeaume, discovering the landscapes and vernacular heritage: engraved crosses, dolmens, cliff-side path to the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers. On the way back, pass by the splendid Mas de l'Abeille. :

This is a surprising route due to its wild character and beauty, which takes you around the place known as "Le Sauvage", starting from the megalithic necropolis of Ranc de Figère and continuing along that of L'Abeille. This is karstic terrain in all its splendour: large limestone slabs criss-crossed with impressive faults, rocks sculpted by erosion, deep depressions. Paths lost in nature alternate with wide tracks passing close to superb isolated houses.

A short circuit that will take you along beautiful trails to discover an underground cave and beautiful beaches on the banks of the Ardèche with breathtaking views of the Ruoms gorge and the Cirque de Gens.