The Bois de Païolive (small loop)

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The Païolive forest is an ancient forest in the south of the Ardèche, occupied since prehistoric times, with a remarkable geological context and biodiversity. It overlooks the Chassezac gorges. In this karstic landscape, there are numerous zoomorphic rocks, a multitude of trails and viewpoints, not to mention many caves. Much of the walk is shaded. Really very nice.

Details

n°2322615
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 78 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 251 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 202 m
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Photos

Viewpoint over the Chassenac valley

Description of the walk

Start from the first of the three car parks on the site (Ours and Lion), on the D252.

Yellow markings.

(S/E) Join the road and walk about 30 metres towards the restaurant to take the path on the right just opposite the Rocher de l'Ours et du Lion (yellow markings). Follow this path northwards to join theGR®®4.

(1) Follow theGR®® to the right for about 100 metres (note the beautiful view).

(2) At the crossroads, take theGR®® variant on the left towards the Ermitage Saint-Eugène to reach a magnificent viewpoint about 150 metres away on the left.

(3) Enjoy the view over the Chassezac valley, then retrace your steps to rejoin the GR®® variant. Continue following the yellow markings on your left. During the climb, you will pass close to a very interesting limestone outcrop, then a cave on the descent. You will reach a fork in the path.

(4) Be sure to follow the yellow markings on the right, which will take you to a crossroads after about 150 metres, near the Grotte de la Gleysasse cave on your left a few metres further on (short return trip possible).

(5) At the crossroads, rejoin theGR®®4and follow it westwards to reach the Trois Seigneurs car park.

(6) At the Trois Seigneurs crossroads, leave theGR®®4and join the D252 (at the car park). Note that the yellow markings do not follow the most obvious path (which you can also take) but pass at the foot of a small cliff, a climbing site.
Follow the D252 which climbs up to the Ours et du Lion car park (S/E). Please note that the road is narrow and has no hard shoulders.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 218 m - Parking at the - Ours et le Lion (Les Vans)
  2. 1 : km 0.72 - alt. 222 m - Junction with the GR4
  3. 2 : km 0.85 - alt. 225 m - Fork in the road towards the viewpoint and the - Ermitage Saint-Eugène (Les Vans)
  4. 3 : km 1.55 - alt. 232 m - Viewpoint over the valley of the - Chassezac (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 2.66 - alt. 203 m - Fork in the road to join the GR4.
  6. 5 : km 2.81 - alt. 215 m - Carrefour de la Gleysasse
  7. 6 : km 4 - alt. 207 m - Carrefour des Trois Seigneurs
  8. S/E : km 5.15 - alt. 218 m - Ours and Lion car park

Notes

Yellow markings.

Very easy walk, but with no water sources. Take care in hot weather, as the limestone ground does not provide any shade, even in the undergrowth. Wear sturdy footwear as the ground is very hard.
None of the points of interest (viewpoints, caves, fissures, etc.) are secured, so please be careful if you have children with you.
There is a bar/restaurant near the start of the walk.

Worth a visit

The Paiolive Woods are a remarkable site in terms of geology and ecological diversity. Many other walks are possible. During the season, it is possible to be accompanied by a guide. There are also several climbing spots on this site.

 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.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
chapelou
chapelou

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The route is classified as moderate but is not easy due to some fairly challenging sections in certain areas of the rock and slippery conditions. I would not recommend it for children.

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User 2924605

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful discovery for us.

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User 25655912

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The Païolive forest is very beautiful and there are many walks to enjoy. The short loop we chose is well shaded, clearly marked throughout and accessible to most people without any particular difficulty

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User 26978384

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through the woods, very pleasant in the August heat!
However, it was necessary to follow the GPS directions as there were very few signs on site.
It was indeed complicated with young children because you had to climb over rocks to continue along the path.

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Michemath
Michemath
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hike through the well-known Païolive forest in southern Ardèche. The walking time is well estimated, but the hike is not really "easy" and is more likely to be "moderate" in difficulty. The route crosses stream beds numerous times and you often have to climb up and then descend shortly afterwards over unstable or even dangerous rocks and stones. I should add that after the recent rains, and despite a few days of dry weather, the route is often impassable (very muddy or even completely flooded).
In short, there are many more interesting and enjoyable hikes in the area.
I would recommend saving this one for the warm spring and summer months to really appreciate the shaded route and the dry path.
As others have pointed out, the car park indicated on the app is really not well chosen! It forces you to walk more than a kilometre and a half on a VERY BUSY tarmac road.

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bonnefoy robert
bonnefoy robert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, lovely route

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potamo
potamo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

To avoid a fairly long stretch of busy road with no hard shoulder, I suggest parking at the clearing car park and starting the circuit in reverse (i.e. turning right onto the road from the car park). Shortly after leaving the road, a path takes you to point 2, from where you can resume the circuit in the normal direction.
At point 5, it would be a shame not to take a short detour along the cliff path to a splendid viewpoint over the gorges

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JD74
JD74

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hassle-free tracking. Very pretty brooch.

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aubanelg
aubanelg

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely family hike in bright sunshine. Fairly easy and well marked, despite one or two points where caution is required. The view (3) is magnificent.

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Fafa08
Fafa08

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk, but you need to wear sturdy footwear. Much of the route is shaded. We couldn't find the viewpoint (3) and shortly after the Saint Eugène hermitage, the path is blocked by a chain that you have to climb over. The last kilometre is along a fairly narrow country road

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prielle
prielle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

interesting route with beautiful views and many points of interest

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brayman
brayman

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk with beautiful views.

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Micka06
Micka06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a pleasant, easy family walk with beautiful views of the river gorges below
No particular difficulty but uneven paths, not suitable for people who are unsteady on their feet. Some sections with a precipice and no barrier, requiring young children to be held.

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Oad
Oad

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that is very accessible for beginners with children. Even though the trail is sometimes a bit rough or rocky, with good shoes, it's easy to navigate. The route is well marked and the environment is pleasant, with some truly magnificent views of the region. We did encounter quite a few people during this period, which I imagine is quite busy, but it was still reasonable.

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Catoun
Catoun

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice itinerary, thank you!

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.