The Cirque de Gens from Ruoms

A pleasant hike along the banks of the Ardèche river, sometimes with overhanging cliffs on a magnificent path, and sometimes skirting the riverbed. There's also a cave within easy reach.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 161 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 155 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 188 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 114 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Park in the Ruoms town centre car park, "Parking Central".

Follow the white/yellow markings all the way.

(S/E) Depart from the "Info Rando" sign in front of the Tourist Office. Facing the sign, turn right into Rue Président Millerand. At the end of the street, at the signpost "Le Champ des Fours", take the cycle path left (Voie Verte) towards "Pradons/Cirque de Gens".

(1) After 275m, at a fork, signposted "Le Champ du Gras", leave the road on your left for the return journey and continue North on the Voie Verte.

(2) At the signpost "Les Petites Pièces", leave the Voie Verte and take the road left through the hamlet of Mas du Grand Grazel.

(3) After 565m, take the path down to the river. It climbs up the cliffside overhanging the river.

(4) After the meander on the river Ardèche, the path descends again. Follow the river on the rock slabs.

(5) After the confluence with the river Ligne, the path climbs back up North-East and passes the Baume Grenas (cave), which can be seen.

(6) Climb the path to the right for a few metres to enter the cave. With a torch, you can walk along this gallery-like cave.
Follow the path Southwards.

(7) The path leads to a road. Follow the white-yellow markings to the "Le Champ du Gras" signpost.

(1) You are now back to the cycling path. From here, take the Voie Verte back to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 120 m - Tourist Office
  2. 1 : km 1.21 - alt. 129 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.87 - alt. 131 m - Small parts" tag
  4. 3 : km 2.43 - alt. 128 m - Mas du Grand Grazel
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 142 m - Ardèche
  6. 5 : km 4.26 - alt. 120 m - Back to the plateau. Ardèche confluence - Ligne (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 4.42 - alt. 160 m - Baume Grenas
  8. 7 : km 5.27 - alt. 150 m - End of the trail
  9. S/E : km 6.95 - alt. 121 m - Tourist Office

Notes

Start: Park in the Ruoms town centre car park, "Parking Central".

Waymarkers: Follow the white/yellow markings all the way.

⚠️ Please note the following two points:
Be VERY CAREFUL, especially with children, when passing the overhanging cliffs.
Also, after HEAVY RAIN, the path along the Ardèche riverbed can be IMPRATICABLE.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 56 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Nosyla
Nosyla

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

WARNING: If you suffer from vertigo, do not attempt this route! If you have any physical problems or pain in your legs or elsewhere, turn back.
Points 5 and 6 no longer exist, so you will be walking along the cliff edge, halfway in mid-air among the trees, for a good half hour...

HOWEVER, I personally did the trail and it was incredible! A wonderful family adventure, spectacular views, my 63-year-old mother took up the challenge with quite a bit of help from us...

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lupi001
lupi001

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great route! It starts on a shared cycle and footpath, but you quickly leave the village behind and it's very pleasant.
We did the ride with five children aged 7 to 11 and didn't have to hold them back; of course, with children or parents who are afraid, or in wet weather, it can be difficult. There are two or three sections where you have to climb, but it's easy to do and the hike with views of the cirque, along the Ardèche, in the cave and in the woods is magnificent.
Good shoes for rocks are recommended.

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User 25059519

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, not recommended with children. Ask at the Ruoms tourist office for information about water releases

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User 14773020

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

When we were climbing back up (point 5 or 6?), we met two young people and a dog who strongly advised us not to continue, given the very narrow passage with a steep cliff. The young woman had to crawl on all fours and the young man had to carry his dog in his arms. As I suffer from vertigo, we didn't continue and, not wanting to turn back (a big mistake on my part), we took a path down to the left marked with a cross. We found ourselves in the bush, with brambles and vines, and ended up climbing rocks with crampons (fortunately), but not without difficulty given my vertigo. We ended up directly in a private garden and then on the road towards Ruoms.
Our walk lasted five hours... All because of me! Never take forbidden paths!!!

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User 26819312

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We had the opportunity to do this hike in August 2025.
A short family hike. The cliff edges offer beautiful views. Be careful with children, as it is quite dangerous, but it is really pleasant along the Ardèche. Despite a few minor difficulties between the boulders, it is very satisfying. You never get bored.
Visiting a cave along the way is enjoyable and entertaining. Our curiosity was piqued. Be careful, though, as the ground can be slippery. It is advisable to turn on your mobile phone when entering the cave, which is dark and quite deep.
The route is well described: it is a short hike with lots of scenery: the water's edge, the cliff side, the woods, the cave. Don't forget to bring a pair of shoes, trainers or other items such as a bottle of water. The journey takes about 2 hours.

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User 3864515

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

My wife and I are both over 75 years old.
We listened carefully to the recommendations at the tourist office and followed them.
And now it's done.
The route is well signposted and matches the difficulty level.
It's perfect for testing your fitness, and the scenery is stunning.

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User 3980208

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent course

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User 26819312

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Go hiking with friends and family without any surprises. This route is easy, with few difficulties, no constraints, and accessible to young children accompanied by adults. Allow two hours to enjoy the whole route.

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User 26682611

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, very family-friendly as it is short and not very hilly, with varied landscapes.

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User 13172049

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike, a little physically demanding, a few difficult spots, beautiful parish-specific cave to Brittany, take a good torch as the phone reception is a little patchy and the ground is a little sticky in places
in some places.

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cecchina
cecchina

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with no particular difficulties and the advantage of shade when it is hot.

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User 4768400

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We confirm everything that has been noted....bien
Nothing more to add

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jérome du 74
jérome du 74

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent walk, a little exposed above the gorges, but safe in dry weather.

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encore1matin
encore1matin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It was a magnificent hike, and one that took our breath away.
Under a blazing sun, we set off not from the centre of Ruoms, but from the top of the village (very close to our gîte). So we did the route in reverse.
This hike is rated as average, but difficult for the average hiker.
10 km, over 200 m ascent.
Several ultra-complicated sections that could be described as climbing or caving.
It's a very technical hike that requires a lot of flexibility.
Not really well signposted.
We got lost... x times!
Fortunately, we met other hikers who put us back on the right path.
On the side of the cliffs, we had to let ourselves slide down to the lower level of a rock to reach about the level of the Ardèche. A real nightmare.
All's well that ends well.
I can confirm that this hike is absolutely marvellous.

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astro64
astro64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike from point 1: there's no point between the start and this point other than to follow a flat green route!
We didn't have to put our feet in the water as the level of the Ardèche must have been quite low. This is a trail for those not prone to vertigo, as some sections are exposed. Magnificent views of the cliffs of the Ardèche (we're not in the official "Gorges de l'Ardèche", but they deserve to be! We saw people with dogs: some of the sections can't have been easy (small climbs).

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