Le Rocher de Cheylard, natural viewpoint

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Two-day loop in the Cévennes Ardéchoises. The Besorgues and Bourges are two Cévennes rivers, or rather torrents, with crystal-clear waters.
Between the two, a short walk from the famous Ray-Pic waterfall, the Rocher de Cheylard (1,412 m) offers a natural viewpoint over the surrounding landscape.
On this two-day hike, you will discover these rugged landscapes, deep valleys, the edges of the Ardèche plateau, and small hamlets and villages nestled in the countryside.

Details

n°8306897
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 43.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,289 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,291 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,383 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 496 m

Photos

Péreyres
le Volcan ...
Vallée de la Besorgues
Aizac ... le col

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Rocher de Cheylard - du Ray-Pic au col d'Aizac

    Rocher de Cheylard - from Ray-Pic to the Col d'Aizac

    ↔24.78 km ↗1,000 m ↘1,385 m
    The first stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard takes you from the edge of the Ray-Pic waterfall to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes Ardéchoises, perched on a pass between Volane and Besorgues. Beech forests, broom-covered moors, chestnut trees, Roman roads, crystal-clear streams, passes with breathtaking views... you will walk from the Ardèche plateau to the lower Ardèche.
    View the route
  2. E
    Rocher de Cheylard - du Col d'Aizac au Ray-Pic

    Rocher de Cheylard - from the Col d'Aizac to the Ray-Pic

    ↔19.05 km ↗1,282 m ↘906 m
    Second stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard, which takes you back to your starting point from the previous day via a different route: the Ray-Pic waterfall.After passing the summit of the Rouyon massif, descend towards the Besorgues river and climb up the other side towards the Ardèche plateau, where broom gives way to wild blueberries.
    View the route

Notes

- Rocky paths: wear good walking shoes.
- A few easy fords. However, be careful if there is a risk of thunderstorms or during very rainy periods.

- Drinking water and supplies available in Burzet, Labastide-sur-Besorgues and Aizac.

- (S/E) Aizac: end of the first stage and start of the second.
Restaurants, bar and small grocery store in the village.
Accommodation available at the "Le Volcan d'Aizac" lodge and guest rooms - +33 (0)4 75 38 77 81 - breakfast and picnics available.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Col d'Aizac: pretty village, peaceful and natural... at the foot of the Volcan d'Aizac.

Option to take a themed walk about the former activity of the Volcan d'Aizac. Short hike of 1 to 2 hours taking you to the summit, with information panels along the way. Contact the "Le Volcan d'Aizac" lodge and guest rooms, who will be happy to provide information and lend you documents and guidebooks on this 80,000-year-old volcano, which is now extinct... unfortunately!

(S/E) Aizac: Visit to the artisan vinegar factory

Between (3) and (4) on the first day: one of the works of art that line the watershed in Ardèche... find out more here

At point (10) on thesecond day, you can make a round trip to the summit of Rocher de Cheylard... breathtaking views!

Ray-Pic waterfall - allow two hours for the round trip from the car park.

Peyrères: Blueberry festival in July.

Burzet... worth a visit

 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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Pierre852
Pierre852

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The roadmap is comprehensive, but the markings are sometimes difficult to spot, which is why I believe it is essential to use GPS tracking at the same time.
The hike is magnificent and doable, even though we encountered many fallen trees on the trail while crossing the wooded sections (reminder: trek completed on the weekend of 14-15 May 2022).
The campsite in Aizac is ideal (water source for supplies, cooking and showering + flat, isolated ground for pitching a trekking tent), with accommodation also available at the lodge.
We enjoyed every aspect of this hike.
The level of difficulty is justified.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Rocher de Cheylard - from Ray-Pic to the Col d'Aizac

Visorando member
Rocher de Cheylard - du Ray-Pic au col d'Aizac
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⚑Departure from Péreyres (Ardèche)
The first stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard takes you from the edge of the Ray-Pic waterfall to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes Ardéchoises, perched on a pass between Volane and Besorgues. Beech forests, broom-covered moors, chestnut trees, Roman roads, crystal-clear streams, passes with breathtaking views... you will walk from the Ardèche plateau to the lower Ardèche.

Walking The Rocher de Cheylard from Ray-Pic

Visorando member
Le Rocher de Cheylard depuis le Ray-Pic
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This is a fairly short climb that takes you to a summit offering a superb 360° panorama of the Ardèche mountains and the Alps. It is a simple round trip, most of which follows ridge paths with magnificent views. On the way back, take the time to visit the Ray-Pic waterfall.

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Visorando member
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↔6.14 km ↗+215 m ↘-211 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
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