Marcols-les-Eaux walks

This hike on the Ardèche plateau is relatively flat and takes you to a summit with superb 360° views of the Massif Central and the Alps, and even Mont Blanc on a clear day. Please note: the route on the way there has been designed to showcase the beauty of the paths and landscapes. The paths are not marked and can sometimes be difficult to find. A good knowledge of the area and maps is necessary. The return via theGR® de Pays is easier and more direct.

This is a beautiful hike through wild, unspoilt landscapes in the heart of the Ardéchoise mountains, with all their splendour and curiosities. The flora and fauna are rich and diverse, with some rare protected species. On a clear day, the summit of Montivernoux offers an exceptional panorama of the Cévennes, the Monts Lozère, the Tanargue, the knolls of the Ardèche plateau, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Mézenc, Montfol, Mont Ventoux, the Alps and Mont Blanc.

Shaded route between the banks of the Auzène and the hamlet of Intre. From the Fontettes ridges, there is a beautiful view of the Ardèche mountains, the Rocher d'Ajoux, the Volcan des Chirouzes and the Roc de Gourdon.

A beautiful hike in the Ardèche, sometimes along ridges and sometimes under chestnut trees. The hamlets of Tauzuc and Serre de Tauzuc are worth seeing... Especially when a deer appears and then disappears, as shy as ever.

Beautiful climb up knoll d'Ourseyres via Col du Pranlet.

A beautiful hike in a very wild environment. The Roc de Gourdon, with its ship's bow-like relief, a remnant of intense volcanic activity, is a superb promontory offering a 360° panorama of the Boutières, the Cévennes and the Bas-Vivarais. Moderator's note added on 09/06/2021: Roc de Gourdon is no longer accessible (electrified fence)

The Serre de Lès offers a magnificent 360° panorama. The Alps, from Mont Ventoux to Mont Blanc, the Boutières, the Ardèche mountains and plateau, Rocher d'Abraham, the volcanic rock of Ajoux, the Chirouzes volcano, and the basalt flow of the hamlet of Chier.

A beautiful half-day hike along a balcony path, which crosses ancient hamlets with panoramic views of the Eyrieux Valley. This route has been used for several years by the famous "Cheminote", a hike for the general public that connects Le Cheylard to Saint-Martin-de-Valamas. A hike proposed by the collective "Nos chemins ne sont pas à vendre" (Our paths are not for sale).

A beautiful and varied hike in the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park. The superb site of the Rocher d'Ajoux.

A very beautiful hike in volcanic Ardèche: magnificent scenery, rocky peaks, scree, clapas. The lava flow at Antraigues, from the young Aizac volcano (approximately 80,000 years old), invaded the Mas, Bise and Volane valleys due to the steepness of the terrain, leaving numerous traces of this eruptive period. The promontory on which the village is built, with its variety of colours and shapes, is surprising.

You will discover a magnificent view of the Hautes Cévennes Ardéchoises and the land of young volcanoes. The Château de Craux is located in the commune of Genestelle, at an altitude of around 650 m. It is built on the crater of the volcano (neck). It stands in the middle of vast meadows, surrounded by a superb chestnut grove, and overlooks the Volane and Sandron valleys. 6/10/2023 Moderator's message: at point (4) hike modified because the educational trail around the neck plateau has been closed.

The first stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard takes you from the edge of the Ray-Pic waterfall to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes Ardéchoises, perched on a pass between Volane and Besorgues. Beech forests, broom-covered moors, chestnut trees, Roman roads, crystal-clear streams, passes with breathtaking views... you will walk from the Ardèche plateau to the lower Ardèche.

Two-day loop in the Cévennes Ardéchoises. The Besorgues and Bourges are two Cévennes rivers, or rather torrents, with crystal-clear waters.Between the two, a short walk from the famous Ray-Pic waterfall, the Rocher de Cheylard (1,412 m) offers a natural viewpoint over the surrounding landscape.On this two-day hike, you will discover these rugged landscapes, deep valleys, the edges of the Ardèche plateau, and small hamlets and villages nestled in the countryside.

This is a fairly short climb that takes you to a summit offering a superb 360° panorama of the Ardèche mountains and the Alps. It is a simple round trip, most of which follows ridge paths with magnificent views. On the way back, take the time to visit the Ray-Pic waterfall.

At a height of 808m, the Aizac Volcano is of the Strombolian type: eruption, explosion, lava flows. It towers over the village from its height of 80,000 years. The basalt flow resulting from its activity has a remarkable prismatic structure, which can be seen in particular near Antraigues-sur-Volane. This is an easy, themed walk that is suitable for families and will interest children: information panels are placed along the route to educate young and old alike.

Second stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard, which takes you back to your starting point from the previous day via a different route: the Ray-Pic waterfall.After passing the summit of the Rouyon massif, descend towards the Besorgues river and climb up the other side towards the Ardèche plateau, where broom gives way to wild blueberries.

The Besorgues is one of many rivers, not to say "torrents" during Cévennes phenomena, which rises on the edge of the Ardèche plateau, then flows southwards down the steep slopes of the Ardèche Cévennes, ending its course in the Ardèche. Halfway along its course, north of Freyssenet (a small hamlet of Labastide/Besorgues), lies a little treasure, hidden away in the middle of unspoilt nature: secret swimming spots in a heavenly setting.

A beautiful walk through the chestnut groves on both the Volane and Besorgues sides. On the upper part, around the Cime de Rouyon, there is an unobstructed view of the Ardèche plateau to the north and west, and to the east and south, the Coiron, the Alps, the Cévennes and the Tanargue.

A beautiful route offering magnificent panoramic views of the Coiron, the Ouvèze and Mézayon valleys, Baronnies and Vercors. An interesting discovery of the site of the former Priory of Charray.

Superb hike on the Cime de Rouyon and the Rocher de Faux-Fay. Splendid panorama on the sides of the Bésorgues valley where paths, paved slanting streets, terraces and pastures draw the Ardèche mountain landscape: exceptional and wild landscape, magnificent basalt rocks, streams, torrents, impetuous waterfalls.

This magnificent hike in Vivarais Cévenol follows trails and ridge paths offering beautiful views. The Bésorgues river, blocked by basalt flows, has shaped some remarkable sites. The ancient lava lake of Ranc Ranier and the prismatic neck of the Cheylard rock, from which you can enjoy a vast and exceptional 360° panorama, are geological curiosities not to be missed.

This is a short hike, but it will give you a magnificent view of the Coiron plateau and the entire Alpine range, from Ventoux to Mont Blanc on a clear day.

A very beautiful hike offering exceptional and magnificent panoramic views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Dévoluy, Vercors, etc., and allowing you to alternate between varied basalt and agricultural landscapes. You will also pass by the site of an ancient tomb, which is well worth a visit.

This south-facing route offers beautiful views of the Tanargue to Mont Lozère via the Aubenas basin. It is also a geological discovery trail with information signs placed at regular intervals. After Gourdon, at the top of the tarmac road, the Alps stand out on the horizon. Climbing up to the summit platform of Roc de Gourdon is not accessible to everyone, but the 360° view is remarkable.

A very pleasant route through the Ardèche forest and its peaceful little hamlets. The omnipresent calm allows you to recharge your batteries and become one with nature.

This is a lovely route that takes you from the village of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne to Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne via the fortified castle of Boulogne. The ruins, listed as a Historic Monument, date from the 11th century.

This walk consists of two short circular loops connected by a short return trip. It takes you through a relatively unknown area of central Ardèche where the agricultural footprint is still clearly visible. You will pass from slopes to ridges and valleys following the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges. You will enjoy the wide views and landscapes. At the northernmost point, you will stop at an ancient mill dating back several centuries, known as "Le Moulin de Raoul" (see below).

A lovely hike along the ridges overlooking the Orsanne River. Numerous panoramic views, notably of Pic Lafont and the ruined feudal castle of Montagut (Mont Aigu), offering views of four valleys: Eyrieux, Glueyre, Orsanne and Auzène.

This hike starts off gently at the bottom of the valley, following an old railway line. It then climbs up to a rocky outcrop where the ruins of Rochebonne Castle stand proudly. And as if the ruins of this castle weren't enough, all the great peaks of the Ardèche (Mézenc, Gerbier des Joncs) are visible throughout the hike.

A very pretty hike through mountains, moors and fords. Magnificent undergrowth dotted with beautiful shaded passages.

Superb trails and landscapes. Between Burzet and Les Sausses, on the left bank, the old Lachamp-Raphaël road is one of the most beautiful paved slanting streets in the Ardèche. On the right bank, on the way back, the old peatland road also has a wide, well-preserved paved slanting street under the chestnut trees and leads to the Roman road.

Hike with varied landscapes, the Bourges valley with its basalt flows, chestnut woods and blueberry fields, hamlets with old houses. Superb view from the summit.

From Burzet to Péreyres, paths lead down from the farms on the Ardèche plateau near the peatland-and-Goudoulet to the nearest town. The farmers of the plateau brought their butter and cheese to the markets. Here you will discover two types of paths: one designed for carts, the other for mules at best, but both were used for trade until the middle of the last century.

Chalencon is a charming medieval village offering hikers exceptional views of the Eyrieux Valley. Located on the south side, the village is made up of granite streets and houses.

Walk along the banks and heights of the Bourges River, which is well exposed to the south and offers beautiful panoramic views.

The spa town of Vals-les-Bains is nestled in a partly volcanic landscape that is quite steep and dominates it mainly between its north-west and north-east. In the hills, the old agricultural settlements are still clearly visible in the valleys and on the slopes. Thieure is a hamlet perched on a promontory overlooking Vals. A steady climb leads to it. The landscape is the reward.

Starting from the Pont de Veyrières silk mill eco-museum, climb towards Chirols and then the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel, a summit bristling with various antennas and the highest point of the route, offering a magnificent view of the Coiron and the Ardèche Cévennes. Return via the Revescu ridges, with views over the plateau, and descend via the hamlet of Aubignas to the starting point.