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Les Vans walks
From garrigue to Cévennes shale landscapes, departing from Les Vans
Visorando Member
6.17 mi
+1,450 ft
-1,463 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
Contrasting landscapes between the southern scrubland and the deep gullies in the clay-limestone marl.
Fossil footprints, botanical path, abrupt change of vegetation between limestone strata and Cevennes shale, and return by a path overlooking the Chassezac river.
Very pretty and picturesque village of Naves.
That's what's on the menu of this spectacular hike which takes you around the west of Les Vans.
Cirque de la Malarce in Naves
2.23 mi
+669 ft
-679 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
Short circular loop in a cirque near the charming village of Naves, next to Les Vans. You can combine this outing with the Cirque du Bourdaric. A great outing for geology enthusiasts.
The Bourdaric cirque from Naves
3.36 mi
+804 ft
-784 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
A very beautiful walk from the charming village of Naves. This walk can be combined with the Malarce cirque.
The Païolive Woods
5.69 mi
+509 ft
-499 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
Discover a particularly interesting wood above the town of Les Vans.Comments about this route: I did this route in 2013, and it turns out that some signs have been added since then (signposts and probably markings), which is to be expected. Hikers can then explore other trails but will always find something unique and interesting in this remarkable wood, with no chance of getting lost.
From the Rochers de Païolive to the resurgences of the Ruisseau de Granzon
7.88 mi
+561 ft
-531 ft
4h 05
Difficult
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
This unmarked route, which sometimes even leaves the trails, requires an IGN map and GPS, and leads to remote and wild areas of the Bois de Païolive and the upper part of the Ruisseau du Granzon.
The Bois de Païolive (small loop)
3.20 mi
+256 ft
-256 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
The Païolive forest is an ancient forest in the south of the Ardèche, occupied since prehistoric times, with a remarkable geological context and biodiversity. It overlooks the Chassezac gorges. In this karstic landscape, there are numerous zoomorphic rocks, a multitude of trails and viewpoints, not to mention many caves. Much of the walk is shaded. Really very nice.
Serre de Barre from Brahic
4.21 mi
+1,407 ft
-1,391 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
This is an easy hike that takes you to the summit of the Pays des Vans at an altitude of 910 metres. Beautiful 360-degree panoramic views.
Amidst sandstone and olive trees, the church of Payzac and the Chapel of Sainte-Appolonie
6.99 mi
+1,001 ft
-1,004 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Les Assions (Ardèche)
An easy walk through woods, vineyards and olive groves at the foot of the Ardèche Cévennes. Beautiful views at both ends of the route.
Submersible bridges and Serre du Cocu
8.41 mi
+1,549 ft
-1,568 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Gravières (Ardèche)
A circular with varied landscapes that uses the beautiful paths created and maintained by the municipality of Gravières.This route is impossible in heavy rain as the Chassezac river can cover La Pontière.
On 29 May 2024, there was quite a lot of water at La Pontière, but it was still possible to cross (I preferred to take my shoes off anyway). The weather forecast is looking better, so conditions should improve.
Circular loop through the Bois de Païolive and Ruisseau du Granzon
10.20 mi
+709 ft
-696 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
After crossing the Bois de Païolive, the route follows the Ruisseau du Granzon. After climbing out of the canyon, the return journey is via the plateau. An enchanting route and landscape. The use of GPS and the Visorando app may be necessary.
The upper Ganière valley and the Sentier du Facteur
7.25 mi
+2,205 ft
-2,178 ft
5h 15
Difficult
Departure from Les Vans (Ardèche)
One of the most beautiful routes in the Vans region, both in terms of scenery and heritage. Balcony paths, chestnut groves and drying rooms, a gold-bearing river, low walls and beehives carved into chestnut tree trunks: everything invites you to discover this enclave of the Ardèche and its hamlets, which were once only accessible on foot.
Be careful, there are steep and very steep ascents and descents. Allow 5 hours for the route, plus extra time for wandering around.
Circular Banne route via Le Mazel and Montgros
3.69 mi
+522 ft
-525 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Banne (Ardèche)
A short walk that climbs up to the heights above the charming little village of Banne and descends back down via a pretty paved slanting street.
Short loop around the Granzon stream
5.68 mi
+591 ft
-564 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Banne (Ardèche)
The Granzon stream canyon is a magical place that tour operators won't take you to. Go there, but don't tell anyone... The return route is via the plateau and a small road. Those allergic to tarmac may prefer to do a round trip.
Serre de Barre - Croix de Bancillon - Alauzas
4.57 mi
+2,037 ft
-2,044 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Gravières (Ardèche)
A moderately challenging walk leading to the highest peak of the Serre de Barre, where a watchtower is manned during the summer months for fire surveillance.
From the summit, you can enjoy a beautiful view over the plain and the Ardèche mountains.
Combe Longue, Bannelle and Le Mazel
4.17 mi
+971 ft
-997 ft
2h 45
Difficult
Departure from Banne (Ardèche)
A pleasant hike offering the chance to discover, first and foremost, a typical landscape of lush vegetation (particularly holm oaks) interspersed with limestone formations.
Also particularly interesting is the crossing of a sharp limestone pavement at the summit of Bannelle. This is a limestone plateau that has been eroded over time, forming joints that give it a ruin-like appearance.
Short circular loop in Banne
1.16 mi
+233 ft
-249 ft
0h 45
Easy
Departure from Banne (Ardèche)
The village of Banne is charming and the view from the ruins of the castle, destroyed during the Revolution, is quite breathtaking. The walk described here is very short and easy, unless you prefer not to walk on a stony path. Perfect as a pre-dinner or after-dinner stroll.
Around Païolive: from necropolis to hermitage, from desert to forest
7.15 mi
+623 ft
-640 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Berrias-et-Casteljau (Ardèche)
This hike will take you to a megalithic necropolis and a desert plain inhabited long ago by those who were buried there. It will take you to the village of Berrias, up to the Païolive woods, which you will cross, and then to the hermitage of Saint-Eugène, which is still in use, before allowing you to admire the Chassezac gorges from the magnificent cliff.
The unfinished church of Saint-Genest-de-Beauzon
7.05 mi
+1,047 ft
-1,043 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-de-Beauzon (Ardèche)
Saint-Genest-de-Beauzon is a strange commune, made up of scattered hamlets in the southern foothills of the Cévennes Ardéchoises, with an isolated town hall near an unfinished church that has only its walls remaining. Landscapes, old houses, historical curiosities and geological sites punctuate this route.
More walks in Les Vans
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