Les Vans walks

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.

Explore a particularly interesting woods above the town of Vans.

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.

Sampzon, a small village perched on a promontory overlooking the Rocher and encircled by a loop of the Ardèche, (you have to see it from the top of the car park). A veritable natural belvedere, it offers a unique panorama of the meandering Ardèche. The old village has preserved its traditional houses. The route is very well signposted.

A pleasant hike along the banks of the Ardèche river, sometimes with overhanging cliffs on a magnificent path, and sometimes skirting the riverbed. There's also a cave within easy reach.

From Ruoms to Labeaume, the hike alternates between ancient villages and nature. This itinerary passes the Ardèche river, the heights of the Baume river gorge, the pretty village of Labeaume and the old town of Ruoms. Alternating between shady and sunny stretches. Several possibilities for swimming along the way.

An easy walk on the ridges between Ruoms and Pradons. Beautiful views over the Ardèche valley and the cliffs of the cirque de Gens in the second part. Avoid hot weather, as shade is scarce and there's no water.

A hilly walk through green oaks between Pradons and Lagorce. Beautiful views of the Ardèche cliffs on the final descent.

At the heart of the Monts D’Ardèche Regional Natural Park, Laboule is the ideal starting point for a walk with a variety of contrasting atmospheres. At the summit of the Sentier des Granges trail there is an unparalleled panoramic view (Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux, Mont Bouquet, Mont Lozère...) a day’s walk across the third-highest summit of the Cévennes range (at 1,548 m) with its rocky mountains and luminous rivers.

From the banks of Ardèche, to the balconies of Salavas, but fairly challenging in the bed of Rieussec. There are stringing points. ATTENTION: Some sections can quickly become very dangerous for hikers who are ill-equipped or not trained for this kind of more technical hike. Therefore, please take care.

Here too, in the Lozère region, a 360° summit bears the cartographer Cassini's famous name. Did he ever see, this cartographer, the map of this corner of Lozère? Perhaps not. On the other hand, this summit, which is easy to get to, offers a remarkable view, which can then be completed by a loop via the source of the Tarn river.

A walk amid holm oaks along the capricious Ibie river, whose water doesn’t always flow overground.

The Plateau des Gras is a limestone plateau crossed by rivers, situated between the Bois de Païolive woods in the southwest and the slopes of the Coiron in the northeast. The northwestern edge of the plateau overlooks a depression extending from Aubenas to Les Vans. The footpaths along this edge of the plateau offer unspoilt views of the Monts d'Ardèche hills at the eastern edge of the Massif Central. The walk also takes you along beautiful paths amid oak trees and to a viewpoint overlooking the village of Balazuc.

Family hike starting from the village of Balazuc. For children, there is a small, safe cave to visit and a walk along the water's edge. Easy route, mostly signposted but a little rocky in places.

Following small roads and tracks through the Ardèche countryside, at the foot of the village of Lagorce, we join a path that goes deep into the trees to climb to the summit of Sigaud. We then continue to link the various summits of the Ranc, sometimes on footpaths, sometimes on forest tracks. The view of this superb region of the Ardèche opens up regularly from one side to the other. After a steep, stony descent of around 200 m, we return to small roads and country lanes. In spring, all this is amply covered with a multitude of varied flowers.

Leaving from the centre of the small village of Lagorce (Ardèche), we set off along the usual roads to the entrance to Vallon Pont d'Arc. The return journey is a pleasant one, through the countryside of the Ardèche, on a small road with no (or almost no) vehicles, along farm tracks, stony or slightly rocky, to arrive on the other side of the village.

From Lagorce, the route climbs to the Notre-Dame d'Ajude chapel, through holm oak woods to the Ibie cliffs, past the Gour de la Sompe (waterfall and plunge pool), and returns to the village through more open farmland. This hike requires a good awareness of the environment, reading IGN maps and/or GPS indications.

Between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Remèze, this hike should be done mid-season before it become too difficult to park in "gorges de l'Ardèche" after Pont-d'Arc.The walk offers beautiful view points over the Ardèche and Tiourre valleys, the Saint-Remèze plateau then Pont-d'Arc on the trip back.

This hike will take you on paths through preserved scrubland and protected in a Natura 2000 zone. Its strong points: a village and a medieval castle overhanging fields of olive-trees and panoramas to take your breath away!

Sixth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting.

A short half-day tour to discover the Cèze and the medieval village of Montclus.

There is a lot to see in Lussan. Start with the clear waters of the narrows at the Portail des Concluses and carry on to the Pierre Plantée standing stone. You will be delighted by a breathtaking view of the Cévennes and will cross the scrubland on varied terrain to the Table des Turcs dolmen. Eventually you arrive at La Lèque, which is an ideal spot for a lunchbreak. The last few kilometres are on wide lanes, leading back to the first section of the route.

Twelfth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. It passes through several valleys among the Gardon rivers.