The Neck de Sceautres

A short circular loop in the Coiron massif, an extension of the Massif Central in Ardèche, which ends with an easy climb up the Neck de Sceautres on a well-maintained and secure path.
The Neck, with a diameter of approximately 200 m and a height of 133 m, is the largest basalt peak in Europe, the former chimney of a volcano that formed 8 million years ago. Placed at its summit, where you can enjoy a superb 360° panorama, the statue of the Virgin Mary dominates the village nestled at its feet.

Details

47905996
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 265 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 260 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 539 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 383 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park signposted on the right, north of the village.
ThePR® trail is well marked in yellow and white.

(S/E) Walk past the cemetery and continue to the information sign.

(1) Take the road down to the right.

(2) Leave it before the bridge and take a dirt track on the left, signposted "Sentier Géologique" (Geological Trail). Then go around the neck to another bridge, cross it and go up to the left. Very nice view of the basalt columns of the neck.

(3) At the next fork, go up to the right, pass two barriers and continue to a small tarmac road.

(4) Turn left onto this road, which leads to the hamlet of Les Avisens.

(5) After passing through it, continue on a path to the left towards Langelard (barrier).

(6) Then turn left at the signpost onto a grassy path leading downhill towards Sceautres. Ignore a path on the right and continue to a footbridge.

(7) Cross the Téoulemale stream via the footbridge. Then turn left onto an uphill path until you reach Chemin du Praou. Keep to the right to come out onto the Alba-la-Romaine road (D263).

(8) Walk up between the houses towards the village to find the information board.

(1) Climb left towards the fortified village. Turn right onto Rue de la Ceinture. Keep right above the last houses to reach the climb up to the rock. A ramp makes the ascent easier.

(9) 360° panorama at the top. Descend via the same route. Turn right onto Paved Slanting Street du Rocher and continue to Rue des Remparts. Go to the end of this cul-de-sac street that runs alongside the Neck. At the end, admire the basalt columns. Turn around, go down immediately to the right, then keep to the right to reach Ruelle des Écoles, which leads to the church square. Go around the church and go up to the left on the square to exit through the porch.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 472 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.11 - alt. 468 m - Information sign
  3. 2 : km 0.31 - alt. 443 m - Sign: "Sentier Géologique" (Geological Trail)
  4. 3 : km 0.88 - alt. 439 m - Fork, to the right
  5. 4 : km 1.57 - alt. 539 m - Tarmac road
  6. 5 : km 2.43 - alt. 503 m - Les Avisens, fork
  7. 6 : km 2.87 - alt. 458 m - Directional signpost
  8. 7 : km 4.22 - alt. 383 m - Footbridge
  9. 8 : km 4.8 - alt. 454 m - Alba Road
  10. 9 : km 5.48 - alt. 534 m - Summit of the Neck, viewpoint
  11. S/E : km 6.1 - alt. 472 m - Parking

Notes

This route crosses private property where cattle graze. Please ensure you close all gates behind you when requested to do so by signs.
Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Worth a visit

It is also possible to walk around the entire neck at the bottom by following the botanical trail marked with explanatory signs. To do this, after point (2), do not take the small bridge but keep left to cross a pasture, then follow the explanatory signs and the path that climbs up the basalt rocks and leads to the church forecourt.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
mais couiilles
mais couiilles

beautiful route, parish specific to Brittany, well marked

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User 16530446
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, enjoyable walk after New Year's Eve.
No particular difficulties except for the final climb, which leads to a beautiful 360-degree panorama; however, it can be done at your own pace.
Very pretty village and Ardèche countryside.

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mais couiilles
mais couiilles

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

hike done on 8 October 2025. Parish specific to Brittany, well marked, pleasant paths. Remember to close the gates properly

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Sebcader
Sebcader

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in 1½ hours instead of 2½ hours
For those who are afraid of steep slopes, I think that by reversing the direction of the route, the slope is less steep. Worth trying.

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céline et thierry
céline et thierry

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, especially at this time of year when it's not too hot, with beautiful views. A real treat.

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JuliaM
JuliaM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Upon arrival, I was amazed by the little village nestled against the neck. A very beautiful hike, especially near this exceptional neck. I didn't do the climb. The trail is easy to find and follow, pleasant and accessible. I highly recommend it! Thank you for sharing.

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ceros
ceros

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy route. We used audio guides for part of the walk to learn about the Neck. This added a cultural dimension.
We set off at 11am and had a picnic at point 7 by the water, a very pleasant spot next to the bridge.

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Terra Jacqueline
Terra Jacqueline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Everything was beautiful and easy, even the climb up the rock was superb and offered a beautiful view over the entire valley.

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Renelepanda
Renelepanda

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

__!

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michem
michem

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. Beautiful scenery. The Neck is interesting. Beautiful village. Beautiful region.

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