On the trails of the Ardèche Gorge

A very fine walk in the heart of the Ardèche Gorge. You will have to descend a combe and follow the river along a path, with a small section fitted with ropes and ladders. You will admire a succession of corries, cliffs, little caves, rocks, pinnacles, rapids, sandy
and pebble beaches. The cliffs are home to many birds.
You climb up again to the plateau by another fine valley, affording very impressive views of the gorge and the loops of the river .

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 395 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 387 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 268 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 45 m

Photos

Description of the walk

N.B. This hike should be attempted only in dry weather and by walkers at ease on rocks and scree. There are some awkward sections with ladders and safety ropes. No fords to be negotiated on this route.

From Labastide-de-Virac proceed to the hamlet of Les Crottes. The car park is on the right-hand side, at the entrance to the hamlet.

(S/E) On leaving the car park, follow the road to the right, skirting the hamlet and continuing northwards on a track.
Pass two houses (cottages) on the right and continue to the end of the track.

(1) Take an unmarked path to the right, leading down the valley of the Combe des Champs, bearing north-north-east, until you reach the river. Ignore the various minor paths heading off to right or left and stay on the main path.

(2) Lower down, at a minor junction, stay on the left-hand path in the valley bottom and continue to the intersection on the bank of the Ardèche.

(3) Turn right. Follow the general direction of the river bank along a path well waymarked in yellow and white, which is fairly precipitous in places, with a ladder and safety ropes. In passing, note the Gaud Loop, the cliffs of Gaud Corrie and the Autridge Rock. You arrive at the signpost at Guitard Ford and carry on for about 350 m to the next junction.

(4) Bear 90° to the right on a path climbing towards the campsite and farm of Serret, for about 300 m.

(5) Ignore the path leading left to the Oullins Cave (marked with a yellow cross) and continue on the path to the right, which passes above the rocky outcrops.

(6) Immediately afterwards a little path heads off to the left. Follow this to a very fine viewpoint and then return, then continue to the left to Serret Farm.

(7) Follow the road which leads past the farm and then the campsite. Ignore the track leading to the right and the lanes to the left.

About 100m after the junction with the track, go a few metres down to the right to a superb viewpoint and retrace your steps, then continue about 250 m on the road.

(8) In a left-hand bend, take the path to the right. Follow it, ignoring the minor paths to left and right, until you reach the settlement of Les Crottes.

(9) On entering the hamlet, make a detour to the left to see the war memorial commemorating the resistance fighters. On returning, continue to the left through the hamlet, passing under an arch, rejoin the road and then the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 260 m - Car park on the right, at the entrance to the hamlet of Les Crottes
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 249 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 165 m - Continue along the path on the left - Ardèche
  4. 3 : km 1.5 - alt. 74 m - On the right, along the river
  5. 4 : km 8.01 - alt. 65 m - Guitard ford mast, right, Mas de Serret
  6. 5 : km 8.16 - alt. 74 m - Crossroads, right
  7. 6 : km 9 - alt. 226 m - Back and forth, point of view
  8. 7 : km 9.55 - alt. 248 m - Road, right
  9. 8 : km 10.73 - alt. 257 m - Path on the right, on the bend
  10. 9 : km 11.82 - alt. 261 m - On the left, the War Memorial
  11. S/E : km 12.02 - alt. 260 m - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet of Les Crottes

Practical information

To be avoided in very hot weather.

In the nearby area

Worth visiting: the very pretty village of Labastide-de-Virac, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, the Pont d'Arc Cavern, the Orgnac limestone caves, the Marzal Cave, etc.
The wonderful Ardèche Gorge: a paradise for water sports, rock climbing, speleology, rambling, camping, pony trekking, mountain biking and more.
Information on all available activities from the tourist offices.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 147 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Michel VdW
Michel VdW

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Great circuit with a technical section. I really enjoyed it.
Impossible to say how easy the route was, as we were a guided group.

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astro64
astro64

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

After going along the hamlet "ahouter" on the left. Point 1 is not easy to find, and we were misled by the guidebook which said "Leave two houses (sheds) on the right and join the end of the track", whereas the track continues! Then "Take an unmarked path to the right" when it is well marked with 2 storm marks on a shrub.
Regarding the big landslide that took place on 14/06/2024 on the banks of the Ardèche, information from the Vallon tourist office shows that it has been partially cleared, but you still have to do a bit of climbing!
Otherwise, it's a very interesting way to follow the Ardèche, with a bit of acrobatics and not very easy walking. Beautiful scenery with cliffs and rapids.
A tough climb back up to the plateau as far as the campsite.
Don't miss the monument to the 15 people shot in the hamlet: a tragic event that took place on 3 March 1944.

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virginieka30
virginieka30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Great route, but there are landslides and rockslides on the way to the gorges, so you have to look for them and be very careful following the recent floods.

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ed102
ed102

Slippery, but beautiful.

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Mo-Bilou
Mo-Bilou
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

This is a very pretty walk, but unfortunately we weren't able to do the whole loop. After 7km of walking, we got stuck because the path was blocked and we couldn't find the markers, either because the water had risen too high or because the branches prevented us from seeing the path properly. In fact, we got lost several times after passing the ladder, and sometimes even got stuck in the brambles. We're planning to do it again next time, as we had to turn back halfway up (frustrating). Important! You have to leave in the morning to have enough time to do this hike and not have to return during the night... Following the landslides, the hike took longer.

To be repeated

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lelorrain30
lelorrain30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

a route that requires care

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Célie V.
Célie V.

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hiking in the middle of winter (27 December 2024), a magnificent hike: a must!
⚠️ Before leaving, we had read the messages about the landslides in June. Then came the big flood this autumn... In fact, the hike is not impassable BUT between points 3 and 4 (rather at the beginning) several passages are difficult, the path not very visible and obstructed by tree trunks, branches, etc. as well as landslides. This slows the walk considerably... Expect to walk 5h30 instead of 4h30 and be in good physical shape.
Apart from that, the hike is really worth it: meanders, panoramas, cliffs, some very cool climbing moments, proximity to the water, animals if you're lucky, lookouts, it's all there. Thank you 😉

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Positiver68
Positiver68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The path has been banned since a decree was issued on 15 June following a rockslide at the Gaud bivouac over a distance of 200m.
We haven't found any alternative paths.

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lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Hello
Thanks for reporting

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OT Gorges Ardèche
OT Gorges Ardèche

ATTENTION !!! Following a major landslide on 14/06/2024 on the banks of the Ardèche, this walk is currently impassable! Please contact the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc Tourist Office (04 75 54 54 20) or the Syndicat de Gestion des Gorges de l'Ardèche, which manages the trails in the nature reserve, to find out whether access is possible again.

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Laurent.GIRAUD
Laurent.GIRAUD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pretty walk along the Ardèche made on 12/06/2024.
Not recommended for children or the uninitiated as there are a few difficulties on the route, and in wet weather there are many sloping slabs on which you can easily slip.
We didn't find the junction at point 1 either, but a path leading off to the right 50m before rejoins the route.
A long descent through undergrowth, not too difficult for those used to it.
Then you come to a river beach, with a lovely view. Climb up a little to take the path that you follow to the end. There are a few technical sections, bars set into the rock to hold on to and 2 ladders to climb (no way out, no way through for the dogs, which will have to be carried).
We made a detour via the Dragonnière cave (bring a headlamp to see the entrance, the rest is reserved for diving cavers). We lost track of the path a little (through the vegetation), but then found the way back a little higher up.
It is possible to go back up before the Figueras rapids to shorten the walk (see Au bord de l'Ardèche depuis Les Crottes hike no. 3328403).
Climb back up between points 4 and 7 (around 200m D+), then return quietly.

Beautiful views of the gorges and the chance to swim - your efforts will be rewarded!

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JPBellocq
JPBellocq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful route along the Gorges. The descent is difficult as it is very steep over slippery ground and rolling stones. Once you're at the bottom, you're not out of the woods yet, as you keep going up and down, climbing over rocks and so on. It's tiring, but well worth it! The way back up is more leisurely, and you can take the 2 proposed detours, in 6 and before 8, where the view is magnificent.

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Deldenis
Deldenis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice hike to do in June, not too hot, not too crowded, the best.

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Alain Ghione
Alain Ghione

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great hike! A must-do, with one drawback: it was impossible to find point 1 with the GPS track, so we had to continue along the path and descend along the footpath to find point 3. The descent along the path is a bit strenuous but allows you to reach the river.

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YvanDB
YvanDB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I can confirm all the comments made.
I've done it out of season and it's great.
It's not always easy and you need to be sure-footed.
It's a magnificent hike, really incredible with all the different stages and the variety of soil and landscapes.
I don't think this hike is suitable for young children or those who are unsteady on their feet or afraid of heights. Although you can ignore it, it's still there.

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