Country:
District:
In Aubenas, take the road towards Privas. At the Saint-Privat exit, at the roundabout (Garden Centre), take the road towards Lussas. Almost at the end of the straight road, park on the left (one or two spaces) at the entrance to the path, just before the bridge over the Louyre.
(S/E) Hiking sign. Take the main road uphill towards "Croix de l'Houme". Stay on this road, marked in white and yellow, for about 3km.
(1) At the intersection, take the path, also marked in white and yellow, on the right at the hairpin bend.
(2) On the descent, at the large intersection, look for the oak tree on the right and the dolmen. Ignore the path that descends towards the valley on the left, continue to the "Croix de l'Houme" hiking sign, and take the wide, curved path on the far right (towards Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron Sevenier). The path descends slightly.
(3) As soon as it heads due south, take the first path at a right angle on the left, which climbs slightly, still marked in white and yellow, about ten metres away. It turns to the right after 150 metres; continue. The path heads due south along the hillside, then curves eastwards and then north-eastwards.
(4) Look out for a fork in the path. The wider path heads due north and climbs slightly. Take the smaller path on the right. The fork forms a small triangle of paths, and a red arrow has been painted on a tree inside the triangle. Shortly afterwards, you will find the white and yellow markings again. The path becomes narrower and more uneven, winding above the canyon before descending into it. Ignore the path that climbs up opposite towards Sevenier.
(5) From this point, follow the canyon as closely as possible, on the right (downstream). It is very difficult to give a precise description from this point onwards, as the route changes from one season or year to the next. Follow the canyon as closely as possible: generally in the riverbed, on small paths (made by regulars) that veer slightly away from the bed to avoid the most difficult obstacles. These paths are clearly visible if you pay attention; they are sometimes marked by small, discreet cairns - three or four stones - or by a line of fluorescent yellow paint. You will first encounter this type of path twice, which veers away from the riverbed on the left and then rejoins it.
At a fairly vertical waterfall – 6 metres high if there is no water, about 3 metres if there is still water in spring, for example – take a path on the right along the side of the cliff, leave it after 30 metres by descending a large natural stone staircase that forms a limestone tongue, and rejoin the riverbed. This is the most significant obstacle. As a general rule, never walk in the water. If there is no other option, depending on the season, never walk in water if you cannot see the bottom, as there may be deep holes (I have seen up to 4 metres of water!) and the edges may be slippery.
(6) You will enter the first, then the second meander. At this point, there are no further difficulties in walking through the canyon. You will just have to cross from one bank to the other from time to time. There are red paint marks in some places to indicate that you need to change sides. At the exit of the second bend, follow a few horizontal slabs. Before the river descends and curves to the left, look for a path that slopes diagonally to the left.
(7) From this point, you will leave the canyon behind. Follow this path, which will take you to a ruined house less than 100 metres away.
(8) Stand facing the ruins, below. The path continues to the right, following the river: ignore it; following the river to the starting point requires a good knowledge of the area. Take the path that goes around the ruins on the right and climbs uphill. Be careful a little further up, where there are hairpin bends and flat rocks just to your right with a 60-metre drop in front of you. Continue climbing this path until it leads to a wide track (Roman road).
(9) Take the Roman road on the right until you reach the tarmac road at a hairpin bend. Continue down the road.
(10) Before the next hairpin bend, take the path diagonally to the left, then the first path on the right that goes downhill. Join the road two hairpin bends further down, then turn left to reach your car (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Difficult 
Easy 
