The Aizac Volcano ... commonly known as the "Aizac Volcano Cup"

Rising to 808m, the Aizac Volcano is of the Strombolian type: eruptions, explosions and lava flows. It has towered over the village for 80,000 years.
The basalt flow resulting from its activity features a remarkable prismatic structure, which can be seen particularly near Antraigues-sur-Volane.
It is an easy, themed, family-friendly walk that will appeal to children: information boards are placed along the route to help both children and… adults learn more.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.90 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 869 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 876 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,661 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,083 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to the Col d’Aizac and park in the village square. This route is marked with blue signposts, though the markings are somewhat unclear.

(S/E) From the pass, walk up to the village square to find and follow the path heading south-east to the left of the building on the left. Pass signpost 1 and then a fenced-off area (protecting a water catchment area). Reach signpost 2.

(1) Junction with Shortcut 1 (see ‘Practical Information’ section). Continue along the path descending to the left through magnificent chestnut groves, cross a tiny stream and head due east back up towards marker 4. The granite rock has given way to particularly unstable volcanic rock… you are on the slopes of the volcano.

(2) Junction with shortcut 2 (see § Practical information). Turn north, heading downhill to the next viewpoint, then continue along the track climbing to the right until you reach an old, broken gate.

(3) Take the track climbing to the right, due west, through the vegetation; after about 500 metres, it branches off to the south, still climbing. Ignore the path climbing to the left, and carry on until you reach marker 8.

(4) Junction with shortcut 2 (see § Practical information). Continue straight on along the main track, heading south, then turning west. You’ll reach a hairpin bend where the path makes almost a 180° turn to head due east. You are now on the southern upper rim of the volcano. Continue climbing to the highest point: 808 m.

(5) There is a bench and a large boundary stone here. Turning north-west, you look down over the crater stretching out at your feet, and your gaze extends further to the small village of Aizac.
Carry on straight ahead, down a steep slope, along a path that joins the track you took on the way up. Turn right.

(3) This time, turn right onto the wide, vehicle-accessible track (at the broken barrier). The view from this southern side of the volcano is unobstructed. After a gentle climb of just under a kilometre, this track joins another, even wider one. Take this one on the right until you reach the signpost.

(6) Junction with shortcut 1 (see ‘Practical Information’ section). Continue straight on along the wide track as it descends in a few hairpin bends (yellow and white markings from here). You’ll come out onto a small road. Take it to the right and, 100 metres further on, you’ll reach the Col d’Aizac and the start/finish point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,106 ft - Gîte & Chambres d'Hôtes "LE VOLCAN D'AIZAC" ... juste au pied du Volcan d'Aizac !
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 2,244 ft - Marker 2
  3. 2 : mi 0.58 - alt. 2,326 ft - Marker 4
  4. 3 : mi 0.98 - alt. 2,316 ft - Crossroads – old barrier
  5. 4 : mi 1.35 - alt. 2,487 ft - Marker 8
  6. 5 : mi 1.68 - alt. 2,661 ft - Highest point – Signpost 7
  7. 6 : mi 2.62 - alt. 2,523 ft - Fontalazon hiking signpost
  8. S/E : mi 3.9 - alt. 2,106 ft - Gîte & Chambres d'Hôtes "LE VOLCAN D'AIZAC" ... juste au pied du Volcan d'Aizac !

Notes

- Very rocky and unstable paths: make sure you wear suitable footwear.

- No water sources along the route.

- (S/E) Refreshments at Col d’Aizac; small grocery shop, bar, and restaurant.

- (S/E) Accommodation at Col d’Aizac, at the Lodge et Chambres d’Hôtes du Volcan d’Aizac – 04 75 38 77 81 – Breakfasts… picnics…

- Alternatives: on this route, there are two very short alternatives that you can do as well; I’ve called them “shortcut 1” and “shortcut 2”.

  • Shortcut 1: all downhill and through woodland.

At the Fontalazon signpost (6), take the well-marked path on the right which heads due north, then turns north-west to reach marker 2 at the waypoint (1). The start of this path is not shown on the IGN map.
See this link: Shortcut 1

  • Shortcut 2: all downhill and through woodland. You’ll pass directly above the volcano’s old vent! ...

At the waypoint (4) (marker 8), leave the track and head steeply downwards to the south-west towards the centre of the crater to reach the waypoint (2) (marker 4). This path is not shown on the IGN map.
See this link: Shortcut 2

Worth a visit

- For more details on the young volcanoes of the Ardèche: http://www.geopark-monts-ardeche.fr/deco...

- To admire the basalt flows, head towards Antraigues, to the Espissard waterfall, then towards the Bise and Mas valleys to the east of the village, towards the football pitch.

- (S/E) Aizac: a pretty village… peaceful and surrounded by nature at the foot of the Aizac Volcano. 11th-century church. There is an information board nearby… offering stunning views of the volcano (1 km from the pass).

- Antraigues-sur-Volane, 3 km away.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 23546232

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Shaded, with fantastic views of the volcanoes. A lovely surprise! I

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Anick
Anick

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, the first part through the woods with information boards explaining about the volcano. On the way back, there is a superb view of the Volane valley and Crau Castle, and much more. We also found mushrooms on the way up.

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Mi23
Mi23

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy, well-documented walk!
Enjoyable time in the chestnut groves, beautiful view from the top of the volcano.

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Lucho69780
Lucho69780

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, peaceful walk through chestnut forests. Beautiful views and a delightful sense of tranquillity.

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michelas
michelas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very pleasant, easy hike along a semi-shaded trail. Information boards along the route provide interesting facts about how volcanoes are formed.

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gdp
gdp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

I didn't complete the entire hike simply because I wanted to stay healthy;
A magnificent and relaxing view from the summit, ideal for recharging your batteries and forgetting the worries of everyday life and health issues.
However, the start of the hike is not very clear, but fortunately a fellow hiker pointed out the starting point to us.

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gdp
gdp

I did not follow it entirely simply because of my choice to stay physically fit.

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jcamille
jcamille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk.

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mrugala
mrugala

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk, not difficult.
90% in the shade, very good for hot summer days.
The first part of the route is very good (up to the summit), until the descent at point 3; but then (points 3 to 6 and D) is rubbish: walking along a boring forest path through the trees. It's better to return via the same route you came, which is nicer.

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patbru54
patbru54

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A great walk to get you started. Suitable for families, in my opinion.

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Pégase07530
Pégase07530

Hello; glad you enjoyed the route.
Thank you for your feedback!
It must have been you I passed yesterday... I was on my mountain bike.
Eric

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derque
derque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike through stunning chestnut groves. The directions are clear, and the time indicated is perfect (with a short break at the summit). Most of the route is well shaded, alternating between ascents and descents, which should be very pleasant even in the height of summer. Thank you!

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