The Voueize Gorges

de fr

A short walk offering the chance to discover the charming village of Chambon-sur-Voueize as well.
The walk can be done as a circular route, but only the first half runs alongside the Voueize Gorges. For once, I’d recommend a return walk so you can enjoy the scenery along the riverbanks twice.

Details

n°1787013
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.18 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 400 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 381 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,467 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,083 ft
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Photos

the Voueize
romanesque bridge
the abbey church of Chambon sur Vouèze
The Voueize Gorges (2)

Description of the walk

Start from the car park in front of Chambon-sur-Voueize town hall.

Follow the yellow signposts, then the yellow C4 markings.

(S/E) From the Tourist Office, just behind the town hall (Place Aubergier), take Rue de la Place Aubergier, then turn left onto Rue des Forts. At the end of this street, turn right onto ‘Route de Lépaud’. Follow this road for about 200 metres. The river is on your left.

(1) Leave the D917 by taking the small road that descends to the left. Follow this road, which first passes an old power station, ‘le Moulin Girardy’, then through derelict industrial buildings.

(2) The road turns into a path, varying in width depending on the section. This path, running through the woodland, follows the river and veers away from it only once, before quickly rejoining it. It then curves to the left; continue for about 150 metres until you come to an inconspicuous pathhead on the right.

(3) Take this path, which climbs a steep (really steep) slope. It widens out between two meadows.

(4) Leave the farm on your right and continue along the road, keeping slightly to the left, until you reach the Stop sign. Be careful! The D917 is quite busy. Turn right and walk alongside the road for about 600 metres.

(5) Turn onto the first path on the left, which leads onto a very narrow road. Head towards the hamlet of Longeville, whose houses can be seen on the left.

(6) At the first house, keep to the right, following thePR®® sign. The path leads to a junction with the D41, which you cross, heading towards La Budelière via the D41A2. Stay on this road for 200m.

(7) Turn right onto the first track (marked with white, red and yellow signs) and follow it straight on to the end.
(8) At the end of the track, cross the road, enter the housing estate and continue straight on downhill. The small road turns into a footpath as it curves to the left.

(9) Cross the road again and take the Grand Rue du Puy. This turns to the right and overlooks the abbey church and the rooftops of the village. Then take the first left, which takes you back to the Route de Lépaud. Follow the Rue des Forts to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,086 ft - Car park at the Town Hall and the Tourist Office - Abbatiale Sainte Valérie
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 1,119 ft - Small road to the left - Voueize (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.77 - alt. 1,102 ft - Path continuing along the road
  4. 3 : mi 1.71 - alt. 1,135 ft - Steep slope to the right
  5. 4 : mi 2.19 - alt. 1,345 ft - Road continuing along the path
  6. 5 : mi 2.77 - alt. 1,365 ft - Path on the left
  7. 6 : mi 3.23 - alt. 1,424 ft - Turn right at the hamlet of Longeville
  8. 7 : mi 3.52 - alt. 1,447 ft - On the right, a path marked in white, red and yellow
  9. 8 : mi 4.29 - alt. 1,385 ft - Opposite, towards the housing estate
  10. 9 : mi 4.52 - alt. 1,293 ft - Grande Rue du Puy
  11. S/E : mi 5.18 - alt. 1,086 ft - Car park - Tardes (rivière)

Notes

Shops and restaurants in the village

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.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
mamekiki
mamekiki

Yes, that’s why I recommend a round trip for those who aren’t absolutely set on ‘completing a circular route’.
Mrs KIKI

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User 15130086

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The walk through the Vouez Gorges was very pleasant; it’s a shame there’s quite a long stretch of tarmac. But we’re still very positive about it and would recommend this walk.

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User 25473431

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The highlight of this walk in such hot weather is the stretch through the woodland along the Voueize – which, unfortunately, is dry!
We’ll do this walk again in the autumn

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mame kiki
mame kiki

Yes, it’s a walk best done in spring. The Voueize is ‘bouncy’ at that time of year. But in summer, the ‘Voueize’ section is nicely shaded. I’m happy just to walk the whole length there and back.

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Vador61
Vador61

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk – it’s a shame the Voueize was completely dry when we were there.
A small correction: at point 6, you cross a junction heading towards La Budelière via the D41A1, not the D41A2 as indicated.

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Visiorandonneur 79
Visiorandonneur 79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 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 that’s best done in its entirety to appreciate the varied scenery.

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mamekiki
mamekiki

thank you!

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Mimosadu23
Mimosadu23

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On a beautiful sunny day in February, we are alone on the entire route.
The wild and authentic Voueize Valley with its peaceful, mysterious and unspoilt landscapes...
We set off on the departmental road, which was less pleasant as it was very busy (about fifteen vehicles...).
We enjoyed the bench where we could take a break facing the sun, and the descent towards Chambon with its beautiful panoramic views.
We recommend it...

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Gadaud Jean-Pierre
Gadaud Jean-Pierre

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Great route along the Voueize. Unfortunately, the second part of the route is quite ordinary, with some dangerous spots on busy asphalt roads.

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TVdbk
TVdbk

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route, especially the first part through the woods, with some sections more challenging than others. Then there is a section through the countryside on tarmac paths offering a different but equally interesting setting.
I recommend it!

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CHAPA
CHAPA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike

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mamekiki
mamekiki

Redone not long ago. My friends insisted on doing the circular. I remembered why I like the round trip.

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DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A round trip is a must! Parking is available at the end of the small tarmac road (Moulin Giraudy) opposite some abandoned industrial buildings: the route is then about 4 km long. The Voueiez was almost dry. The ruins of Bluebeard's Castle are barely visible on the other bank, but the walk is pleasant and well shaded.

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Maminouxe
Maminouxe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A bit too much walking, unfortunately, which meant we stopped at level 3 and turned back. It was a shame there wasn't much water, but it was a pleasant trail through the woods.

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Jean Mignon
Jean Mignon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

the signage wasn't very good. The hike was fantastic!

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