Malbosc walks

A very pleasant hike in Malbosc among chestnut trees, taking paths and pretty paved slanting streets. Moderator's note Please note that the red bridge appears to have disappeared. See reviews

A short walk along pleasant Cévennes paths. A route that begins with a magnificent staircase made of splendid schist slabs, and a series of small steps allowing you to cross the various accols (or faïsses: terms meaning terraced farmland) once maintained for cultivation. Also worth noting is a distinctive feature of the Malbosquet Bridge, where one of the parapets has a pointed section in the middle, into which a slab has been set to form a seat.

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.

Set off to explore ancient drovers' roads (transhumance routes for herds) across arid, windswept plateaus. Chestnut trees (almost) everywhere, broom a little higher up, and then high-altitude moorland covered in heather and pine trees – that’s what this hike has in store! As well as magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. There are also quite a few stones on the ascents (up to the junction with theGRP® 4) and descents – take particular care between (8) and (9).

Perched on a ridge between the steep-sided valleys of the Cèze and the Homol, the village of Sénéchas lies with its feet in the reservoir created by the dam that bears its name. The suggested route takes you down from the heights of the village to the shores of the lake, and on to an old medieval tower that stands watch over the lake’s meandering waters. Along the way, you’ll discover some marvels of the earthworks that once shaped this corner of the Cévennes.

A round-trip hike, much of which follows the ridge, offering magnificent panoramic views of the peaks of the Cévennes in the Gard and the Monts d’Ardèche. Route along theGRP® Haute Vallée de la Cèze and the Cévenol.

Les Chams de Bonneveau, Cassenade and Malbosquet, and the hamlets of Malbosquet and Les Escoussous as seen from the Col de Peras. Beautiful views of the Cévennes, the Alps, Mont Ventoux, the Tanargue Massif and, closer by, the Berrias Plain. Varied terrain on this fairly demanding hike.

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.

Une randonnée proposée par le Parc Naturel des Cévennes. Le sens de la randonnée a été inversé pour éviter une fin de parcours en forte côte, et très chaude.

A short route, suitable for families, on decent paths with good signposting. A lovely apiary at Les Bouchets and superb views of the Monts de la Lozère. It’s (relatively) cool in the morning.You can enhance the walk with a meal at the little restaurant opposite the church (closed on Wednesdays).

An easy walk that allows you to discover the isolated hamlets typical of this region of the Cévennes, as well as its vast chestnut groves.

A short walk through the heath dotted with a few dolmens in varying states of repair, but nonetheless interesting for their burial mounds and magnificent limestone slabs, which have unfortunately partially collapsed. You can also see two shepherds’ drystone shelters, known locally as ‘drystone shelters’, one of which is in good condition.

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.

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.

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 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.

A very beautiful walk from the charming village of Naves. This walk can be combined with the Malarce cirque.

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.

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.

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.

La Vernarède is a small mining village between Portes and Chamborigaud. It's a lovely, easy walk with plenty of water points for our furry friends to drink from, at least in spring (in summer this may not be the case). The trail stretches under the pine trees and a few chestnut trees and runs alongside the Broussous stream. Numerous flowers dot the water sources, such as magnificent columbines and daisies.

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.

A fairly challenging route as the bulk of the climb comes at the end, and therefore in the heat. Walking along the old drovers' road is a real pleasure, as it is so unspoilt (apart from a few watchtowers...). From the point (11), the route is magnificent, with a succession of paths and the crossing of Bournaves, which has some lovely houses.

This is a challenging circular route with an elevation gain of over 1,000 metres, starting from Chamborigaud and climbing up to the Route des Crêtes, with superb views of the surrounding mountains, including the ruins of the old castle of Verfeuil, from the south of Mont Lozère to Mont Ventoux. There are various places between the points (7) and (15) that also offer beautiful views. From Vialas to Chamborigaud, you will come across numerous streams that flow into the Luech, which you will follow, with a superb spot that is ideal for a break or a swim, even if there are still 6 km to go to reach the starting point, with a steep hill to leave the Luech. But overall, it is a very beautiful route for lovers of good, challenging hikes.

A short walk for a winter’s afternoon in the land of Jean-Pierre Chabrol. You pass under the magnificent Luech viaduct before climbing gently for a circular route through the Cévennes forests and returning to Chamborigaud. Please note: On Monday 18 March 2024, the stone bridge spanning the Luech at the edge of the village collapsed. The start of the walk can be moved to Le Martinet: Chemin Jean-Pierre Chabrol.

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 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.

This challenging loop starts at Col de Portes and descends to Peyremale via the beautiful medieval village of Le Puech. After Peyremale and Saint-Herm, the route climbs back up to higher ground, offering superb views of the meandering Luech river below, which you eventually reach and follow along the beautiful hamlet of Chareneuve, which seems cut off from the world.Follow the Luech to Martinet Neuf after Chambon. Take a path that climbs steeply to Dieusses. Towards the end of the climb, you can clearly see the Château de Portes on the other side of the Luech, which you will have to reach. You are now about halfway there.Descend towards Chamborigaud, with beautiful views of the viaduct, which the path passes under. After the Chamborigaud bridge, take the GR®700, which climbs up to the Col de Portes. This is the thousand-year-old Régordane path. Although it stays close to the road, which you cross in a few places, this road, which starts off as a road but later becomes a path, is very pleasant.

Short walk, about an hour, around Château de Portes. It's not difficult, the route is easily accessible, you just have to climb a little to reach the château.

The Château de Portes is nicknamed the "ship of the Cévennes" as it overlooked the old Regordane Way, which pilgrims and crusaders used on their way to the Holy Land. Through the woods, this hike will introduce you to another, more recent past of the Cévennes: the mines, with the discovery of the Peyrerol tower and its inclined plane. 09/10/2023 Moderator's message: the route has been modified and shortened to avoid private sections between (3) and Le Tour.

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.

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.

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.

An easy walk through woods, vineyards and olive groves at the foot of the Ardèche Cévennes. Beautiful views at both ends of the route.

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.