The ridges of Mont Champ

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Although the highest point is not very high, this hike, mostly along ridges, offers beautiful views of the Ardèche and the Aubenas region.

Details

n°449351
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 316 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 314 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 503 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 191 m
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Photos

the stream below
ammonite
Towards point 2
Path

Description of the walk

Start from the car park on the right of the D259, opposite the campsite entrance.

(S/E) Take the D259 on the right towards Lussas. Please note that the road is not very wide and quite busy.

(1) Just before the bridge over the Ruisseau de Louyre, take the path on the left that climbs up the hill (towards Vesseaux on the hiking sign). At an open area, ignore the path on the right towards Serre Redon.

(2) At the next crossroads, ignore the path on the right and the trail on the left and continue straight ahead. You will come to a crossroads at a small pass.

(3) Turn left. The hiking sign that was there has been removed and the rest of the route to Saint-Privat is no longer marked. Go around the hill to the north to reach the summit of Mont Champ (506m). Then continue straight ahead, taking the path that descends the ridge. Ignore the motorbike tracks that descend to the right towards Les Bochières.

(4) At the end of the ridge, continue straight ahead, descend a very steep path (several parallel tracks) and then turn left at a right angle. Continue descending, passing along the upper edge of the bare marl slopes. Cross a small valley, then pass by a dilapidated tin hut and continue descending towards the Ruisseau des Loubeyres.

(5) Ford the stream and climb up to a path, which you take to the right.
Continue along this path, cross the stream again and pass two paths on your right leading to the houses of Prat Neuf.

(6) Just after leaving the trees, take a path on the left that crosses the stream again. The first path on the right shown on the IGN map is not visible. Continue to a fork in the road.

(7) Turn left a little way back (the route on the map is not accurate). The path leads to a large meadow surrounded by a green fence, then turns right just before it. Continue to the D259.

(8) Take the road on the left. Continue to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 193 m - D259, car park in front of the campsite
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 201 m - Path on the left before the bridge
  3. 2 : km 2.01 - alt. 393 m - At the crossroads, continue straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 3.37 - alt. 456 m - Crossroads at a pass. Turn left
  5. 4 : km 5.65 - alt. 295 m - Straight ahead, steep descent
  6. 5 : km 6.18 - alt. 215 m - Cross the stream
  7. 6 : km 6.5 - alt. 203 m - On the left, cross the stream
  8. 7 : km 6.81 - alt. 195 m - To the left behind you
  9. 8 : km 7.27 - alt. 192 m - Road on the left
  10. S/E : km 7.61 - alt. 192 m - D259, car park in front of the campsite

Notes

Apart from a steep descent after point (4), most of the route is on paths or good trails.

There are very few trees along the entire route, so it is best avoided in very hot weather.
Best done in the morning to avoid the sun in your face as you descend the ridge towards the south-west.

Worth a visit

At point (3), you can make a 500m round trip to see the Croix de l'Houme dolmen.

Fossils can be found all along the route, but there are particularly many ammonites between points (4) and (5).

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 17 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
Nad07
Nad07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike along the ridges between Aubenas and Vesseaux.
Beautiful stretches through the forest. The second part of the hike is very sunny, with a steep descent.
Magnificent fossils to discover...
It is interesting and not too physically demanding.
Thanks to the author.

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Quounot
Quounot

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike without any major difficulties. Part of the walk is along the ridge with beautiful unobstructed views of the Tanargue and many fossils along the route, particularly in the second half.

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Kwiss07
Kwiss07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No particular difficulty for this walk, descent which can be a little slippery. Beautiful panoramic views and beautiful fossils to admire along the path at the end of the descent
Thank you for this lovely walk

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Loumès
Loumès

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The signage is inadequate and has been removed in some places

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Luhu
Luhu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The sections with coarse gravel are not very pleasant to walk on. However, you are rewarded with a beautiful view. As philma already wrote on 21 October 2017, I also recommend walking the hike in the opposite direction to avoid the steep and potentially slippery descent.

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almati07
almati07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The starting point is obvious, but the sign is no longer there.
The section between the passage under the power line and point 2 is not well marked, but the route is obvious and criss-crossed by numerous "hunting" trails.
The descent from the Serre de Crotte is quite steep and likely to be very slippery in wet weather given the nature of the ground, so walking sticks are useful.
There is a beautiful concentration of ammonites in the marl between the foot of the descent and point 5.

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psoso
psoso

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful panoramic view of the Ardèche mountains and the Aubenas basin.

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Gandon Eric
Gandon Eric

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Done on 10/10/2020, almost blue sky, sunshine, 21°C. A pleasant walk, ideal between two long hikes to keep fit. Not too difficult, except for the descent to the river, where hiking boots are essential – forget trainers! For those who, like me, love nature and landscape photography, leave your camera in the car.
In any case, thank you for this hike

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pb07
pb07

Yesterday, I redid a short route to get back into shape, as I hadn't been there for a while. So, I corrected a few points in the description that were no longer valid.
At this time of year, on the climb up to Serre Redon, you walk through fields of white flowers (orlaya or caucalis, which everyone here incorrectly calls "carrots"). Magnificent.

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jpc2m
jpc2m

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I enjoyed a lovely hike on 23 October, which took me 2 hours and 20 minutes in bright sunshine. It was also very windy on the way up to the summit of Mont Champ. There were some beautiful viewpoints and often clear views towards Escrinet or to the south.
Please note: at hiking point (3), the sign has disappeared.

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EGsvensk
EGsvensk

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk on this autumn Sunday morning, alternating between forest and open terrain. Beautiful views from the ridges.
The "ammonite site" between points 4 and 5 adds a truly remarkable touch to this route.

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Soussou01
Soussou01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely hike to discover the Aubenas region. I can confirm that it's best to do it in the morning: the sun beats down and there is little shade in some areas!

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brun roland
brun roland

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a lovely little hike for an afternoon, but with strong north winds like this Sunday, make sure you wrap up warm as it's very windy on the ridges!

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ancoline
ancoline

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very good description, we did the route without hesitation
Beautiful views when you reach the ridges

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philma
philma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Nice hike. Beautiful view along the ridge trail. We did it in the opposite direction. I recommend it.
Please note: Wear sturdy footwear to support your ankles.

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