The Rhône islands at Rochemaure

This short hike along the banks of the Rhône is suitable for families. You will be able to observe many birds along the way.

Details

10261942
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 79 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 70 m

Description of the walk

Departure opposite the Île Blanc campsite.

(S/E) Opposite the campsite, turn left and continue straight ahead for 200 metres until you reach a fork in the road.

(1) Leave the tarmac road and take the path on the left that passes between the two lakes. There are many birds along the route. At the end of this path, go around the hill and follow the canal on the left. Continue to the footbridge.

(2) Cross the canal via the footbridge. Reach the dyke, then turn left and walk along the canal on your left and the Rhône on your right for several kilometres. Enjoy views of the Rochemaure dam and, further on, the village of Rochemaure, its castle and the Pic de Chenavari. On the other side of the canal are the first houses of Ancône.

(3) Cross the canal via a small footbridge and immediately take the path on the left, leaving the small public garden of Ancône on your right. This path runs alongside the canal and the dyke, which was built after the terrible flood of 1856 and now protects the houses of Ancône. Continue to the tarmac road.

(4) On the road, cross the footbridge on the left and continue to the hamlet of Bonnet.

(5) Turn left to join a path that turns right. Follow the canal and, at a footbridge, take thesecond path on the right, which joins the tarmac road and the starting point of the walk. (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 73 m - Camping de l'Île Blanc
  2. 1 : km 0.22 - alt. 72 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 73 m - Bridge over the counter-canal - Rhône (le)
  4. 3 : km 3.03 - alt. 78 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 3.81 - alt. 72 m - Footbridge
  6. 5 : km 4.36 - alt. 72 m - Path along the canal
  7. S/E : km 5.13 - alt. 73 m - Camping de l'Île Blanc

Notes

Access: In Rochemaure, head towards Montélimar and turn left after the bridge towards Ancône. Leave the village via the small road leading to Savasse and quickly turn left onto a road leading to the Île Blanc campsite.

Worth a visit

Birds you may see: harriers, herons, ospreys, egrets, scoters, teals, wild ducks...

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
catche
catche

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific, easy route that allows you to discover the small lakes along the Rhône.

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mancusoagnes
mancusoagnes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For a nice, easy club hike, this is great. A slight variation when leaving Ancona: cross the blue bridge and immediately turn left onto a very pleasant little path through the woods instead of taking the main road. It takes you back to the same place but is more enjoyable

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Chantal&Olivier
Chantal&Olivier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A rather pleasant walk alongside the waterways.

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jean2669
jean2669

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike along paths that wind between small ponds and streams.

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coquelicot07
coquelicot07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note: there is no shade on half of the route.

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Wiwi07
Wiwi07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello! As others have said, it's great... Beautiful scenery, BUT there are times when there's rubbish lying around, which isn't very inspiring at first. But once you cross the dyke, it's a real treat!!!!!

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milora
milora

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with beautiful views of the Ardèche, shame there is so much fly-tipping (sofa, chair, scrap metal, plastic).

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MICHELE DANGREAU
MICHELE DANGREAU

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with my grandchildren. We saw swans, nutria, etc.
It's a shame that there was rubbish, sofas, household appliances, etc. scattered around the route (start and finish).
What a shame.

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