The ridges above Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut

Before reaching the peaks, walk through the terraces, also known as faïsse or chalet, planted with chestnut trees and typical hamlets. The peaks offer an almost 360° view: the Alps, the Vercors and the Mézenc mountain range.

Details

202305
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 20.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 747 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 748 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 768 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 215 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut, parking is available opposite the temple: to get there by car from the main street, follow the signs for Saint-Pierreville (D102) for 200 metres; the car park is on the left.

(S/E) To start the walk, take the D102 towards Saint-Pierreville, then after crossing the Orsanne river, you will come to a crossroads.

(1) Take the left road, Route de Tauzuc or D211. Head uphill towards Les Ballots and Les Vernets de Danton. Stay on this tarmac road until you reach a barely visible path.

(2) Turn right onto this path, following the white and yellow markings. Continue along this path, crossing several streams before reaching a road. Turn right onto this road and follow it to its end at the hamlet of L'Eygue.

(3) Pass under an arch and turn left to continue the climb and reach the hamlet of Teyssonier.

(4) Continue straight ahead to reach the hamlet of Jariès. Then take the road on the left and continue climbing until you reach the Chemin de la Grangeasse crossroads, which leads to the hamlet of Danton.

(5) Ignore this path on the left and stay on the road opposite, continuing along the road on an almost horizontal path. Pass between meadows and woods, cross the hamlet of Coulet to reach a crossroads at Serre de Tauzuc.

(6) Turn left and head south to reach Tauzuc.

(7) At the end of the hamlet of Tauzuc, leave the road and turn right, paying attention as the path is not marked. Stay on this path, then make a nearly 180° turn to the left to reach the hamlet of Craux.

(8) At the end of the hamlet, turn right onto a path. Pass above the temple of Fival, which is now a cultural centre mainly dedicated to classical music.

(9) Cross the Orsanne

(10) Now follow the Chemin des Dragonnades to the Col de Chomélix.

(11) Stay on the Chemin des Dragonnades. Leave it at the next crossroads (altitude 680) to descend to the left and reach Saint-Étienne-de-Serre at the town hall.

(12) Cross the village, walking alongside the cemetery. You will then come out at the Col du Sablou.

(13) Continue straight ahead downhill, pass the small hamlet of La Grange, then walk alongside the Cintenat sports facilities. Stay on this track until you reach a crossroads in a hairpin bend.

(14) Keep left on the track and finish the descent with a series of hairpin bends. Join the Chemin de la Chemina, turn right and return to the car park opposite the temple (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 218 m - Car park opposite the - Temple de Saint-Sauveur-de-Montagut
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 229 m - Crossroads after Orsanne
  3. 2 : km 0.8 - alt. 266 m - Yellow and white marked trail.
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 436 m - L'Eygue
  5. 4 : km 2.62 - alt. 517 m - Teyssonnier
  6. 5 : km 4.28 - alt. 654 m - Carrefour Danton
  7. 6 : km 7.41 - alt. 708 m - Serre de Tauzuc
  8. 7 : km 8.29 - alt. 686 m - Tauzuc
  9. 8 : km 11.64 - alt. 636 m - Craux
  10. 9 : km 11.83 - alt. 635 m - Cross the - Orsanne (cours d'eau)
  11. 10 : km 12.86 - alt. 659 m - Le Fival
  12. 11 : km 14 - alt. 704 m - Col de Chomelix
  13. 12 : km 15.46 - alt. 602 m - Saint-Étienne-du-Serre
  14. 13 : km 16.55 - alt. 514 m - Col du Sablou
  15. 14 : km 19.65 - alt. 393 m - Montagut option
  16. S/E : km 20.82 - alt. 217 m - Car park at the start, near the - Glueyre (rivière)

Notes

This route requires regular hiking practice due to its distance and elevation gain. It is best to do it outside of winter as the Serre de Tauzuc can be snowy.

Worth a visit

Visit possible after (5) At the next crossroads on the right, take the path leading to Pié Lafont for the panoramic view (you will need to climb over some fences); a hiking sign will guide you.
(14) Hairpin bend crossroads: optionally, you can make a return trip to the ruins of Montagut Castle.
The pretty hamlets.
The village of Saint-Étienne-de-Serre and the temple of Fival.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
SylvainBouquetVichyRando
SylvainBouquetVichyRando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, comprehensive and varied route. An interesting crossing of the hamlets of L'Eygue and Tessonnier. Beautiful panoramic views. Varied landscapes.
Be careful, the route is difficult to follow after point 2. Several paths lead nowhere. We had to try and turn back to find the right one.
The same applies before the village of St Etienne de Serre, at point 12. Several paths, thorny bushes, holes... In short, a bit of a nightmare!
Well done, though, for this beautiful trail, which shows us all the richness of the landscapes and atmospheres of the northern Ardèche.

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Denis_Nozieres
Denis_Nozieres

Thank you all for your encouragement.

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MICHEL PETIT
MICHEL PETIT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike starting at 7:00 a.m. in the cool morning air. No technical difficulties, I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the area I had frequented for six years from 2009 to 2015. Completed in 4.5 hours. Very varied landscapes, superb panoramic views.

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Marie crap 43
Marie crap 43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, thanks to Viso Randonneur for publishing this hike.

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Adryan
Adryan

Yes, I understand. Just passing on the information for those who are afraid of tarmac. For us, it's no problem. The beauty of the hike makes up for everything else. 😄

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Denis_Nozieres
Denis_Nozieres

Thank you for your opinion. The tar, of course, but believe me, I tried to remove as much of it as possible.

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Adryan
Adryan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Thank you for this beautiful hike along the ridges.
Very pretty trails and paths.
It's a shame there was so much road.
A good, steady hike.

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Smat
Smat

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not having access to the IGN map, the lack of regular/visible signposting was particularly noticeable at the beginning. A few inaccuracies in the description made us doubt ourselves, but in general we retraced our steps. A beautiful hike, despite quite a lot of tarmac road.

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m.sahy
m.sahy

The tarmac! With scenery like this, it's easy to forget.
Thanks again. I did it on my own and I plan to show it to others.

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Denis_Nozieres
Denis_Nozieres
• Edited:

Bitumen... and yes, believe me, I tried to limit it as much as possible. As for the time parameter, I'm not sure I can change it. Eight hours is indeed excessive; I had noted six hours.

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m.sahy
m.sahy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Bitumen! Fortunately, the magnificent landscape makes you forget about it.
The estimated 8 hours and 15 minutes seems excessive; we did it in 5 hours and 50 minutes.
But yes, magnificent, it's a feast for the eyes.
Thank you.

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