Around Chauzon

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk. The modified route is not at all vertiginous as it does not pass along the edge of cliffs. This, of course, takes away much of its charm if you stick to this itinerary. We did not see any signs prohibiting access to this area.
(9) The "Belvédère des Aulagners" is not signposted, but the viewpoints (at least two) are located near the path you take after point 10: short paths leading to the edge of the cliff, with magnificent views of the Ardèche River.
Thanks to the author of this lovely alternative.

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Date of your route : Dec 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful winter hike, sunny and peaceful (little traffic on the road on the other side of the gorges). The route along the cliff is not recommended for children or those who are afraid of heights. However, it offers magnificent views of the gorges and the Cirque des Gens. The hike took 4½ hours.

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Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The cliff section is sometimes very exposed, too much so for those who are afraid of heights.

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Date of your route : Jun 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route starting from Audon, guided by Visorando descriptions, with numerous viewpoints, passing through forests and along the Gournier gorges.
Between points 7 and 8, the route becomes more difficult due to numerous rocky scree slopes that are difficult or even dangerous to cross. This section is for experienced and athletic hikers only. Note: about two-thirds of the way between points 7 and 8, we came across a barrier blocking the path with a sign stating that the area was closed to protect wildlife, although there was no mention of this at the entrance to the cirque. The same sign is on the other side of the Ardèche.
The last part of the circuit, Chauzon Audon, is less interesting. We did not see the Point de Vue des Aulagners viewpoint.
Despite the difficulties encountered, this hike remains a positive experience.

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Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent panorama on the side of the cliffs. A few tricky sections for inexperienced walkers. The signposting is not very clear. Luckily, I had downloaded the route on Visorando and had my GPS position.
The return journey by road at the end of the route to get back to the car at the starting point is uninteresting.
But overall, this circuit is excellent.

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Date of your route : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Unreliable description, notably omitting intersections and failing to mention nearby viewpoints that would enhance the appeal of the route.
Fortunately, there are signposts

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Date of your route : Mar 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in February, very few hikers, the Cirque de Gens is magnificent, the return trip along a fairly long stretch of road through the village of Chauzon can be difficult in hot weather (no shade). The sign for the Aulagners viewpoint (superb view of the Ardèche) has disappeared, but we spotted the well-marked path and placed a cairn. The hamlet of Vieil Audon (in Balazuc), inhabited all year round, is well worth a visit!

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Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with varied landscapes, including a magnificent section in the Cirque de Gens. No one else around at this time of year except for a few climbers in the cirque.
Thank you very much for the accurate and helpful description.
We did it as a family with three teenagers and it took us five hours, bearing in mind that we had to walk two kilometres to get to the start (adding four kilometres to the total) and we took a 40-minute picnic break (in addition to the short breaks!).
We highly recommend this hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, easily done with the family.
I also highly recommend swimming at the end of the trail.
The only slight downside is that there aren't more viewpoints over the cirque.

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike!
/!\ I disagree about the landslide between (7) and (8) /!\
I didn't see anything that looked like it, and I came across lots of people coming from (8) towards (7), even in flip-flops and with young children.
There are a lot of people between these two points because it's also a climbing site and the swimming area is very popular (but there's plenty of room).
You can dive at the swimming spot, which I highly recommend.
The exit from the marked trail in the middle of (2) and (3) isn't really worth seeing and is quite difficult to get through.
The Cirque de Gens sign is not really at (5) but in the middle of (4) and (5).
Thank you very much for this route.

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Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Error by the moderator who highlights the landslide between points 6 and 7 when it is clearly stated in the notices that it is just before point 8.
Given the distance between points 7 and 8, it's not the same if you turn back! I realised this halfway between points 7 and 8, where we decided to turn back.
There is clearly no landslide between points 6 and 7, but I cannot confirm this before point 8.

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Date of your route : Jul 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike starting from Balazuc, a very pretty village. However, at this time of year, the entrance is closed from 10 a.m., which made it difficult for us to find the starting point. The Visorando app is essential as the route is not very clear. The views of the Vieil Audon are very pretty and the arrival at the Cirque des Gens is simply magnificent.

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Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After point 7, turn left without taking the path marked with a cross (the path is blocked and you will have to descend to reach the lower path anyway). You will then be below the marked path for approximately 300 metres. (Before reaching the ford) at the crossroads, go up to the left on the path marked with a cross to return to the original route below the cliff.

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Date of your route : Jul 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note, closed road between points 7 and 8 on the map. Yellow and white cross at point 7. Landslide north of the Grazèle mill near point 8. IMPASSABLE.

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Date of your route : Jul 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in the middle of summer, but luckily the heat was bearable. We stopped for a swim at point 8, which is a truly magnificent spot!
The only downside, in our opinion, is that the end of the walk isn't very interesting and the last section runs alongside the road, which is very dangerous and also uninteresting.
If I were to do it again, I would avoid the beginning and the end (at the beginning, the canyon was dry, so it wasn't very pretty...).
Otherwise, thank you for this walk and the beautiful views!

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