Short loop starting from Vogüé

This is an easy hike, allowing you to discover the route of an old railway line in the landscapes of southern Ardèche on the way there, and the banks of the Ardèche in a very rural environment on the way back. On the way, you can linger in the narrow streets of the old village of Lanas, with its almost medieval atmosphere.

Those who dislike tarmac can avoid this very family-friendly hike, which is well suited to people who find it difficult to walk on uneven and hilly terrain.

Details

501929
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 46 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 47 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 179 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 144 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Depart from Vogüé at the start of the recently tarmacked cycle path, near the holiday village. To reach the car park at the intersection of the D114 and D579, head towards the holiday village (opposite Lanas) and continue to the viaduct of the old railway line. Public parking spaces are available either just below the viaduct or at the same level.

(S/E) Take the pedestrian and cycle path towards Vogüé-Gare. It crosses the Ardèche, the D579a and then the D103.

(1) Continue along this path to reach the D579.

(2) Cross the road carefully, first turn right then left. Follow the now tarmaced route of the old railway line until you rejoin the D579 just before Saint-Maurice-d'Ardèche.

(3) Turn right after crossing at the designated crossing to stay on the left-hand side of the road facing the traffic and quickly enjoy the wider verges (cycle path, then pavement).

(4) Cross again at the protected crossing towards Lanas, take the D114, reach the bridge that crosses both the Auzon and the Ardèche rivers and arrive at the village of Lanas.

(5) Follow the main street, then turn right onto another street to reach the church, which you will walk alongside to arrive at the banks of the Ardèche. Then follow a path that descends under the road's retaining wall (recently marked with yellow and white signs).

A sign prohibits you from continuing along the riverbank: follow the marked path and continue straight ahead through a tunnel of vegetation until you reach a campsite where the markings bring you back closer to the river.

Return to the banks of the Ardèche, follow them and arrive at the junction of the Lanas and Pradeloup roads.

(6) Take this road on the right to reach the junction with the D579.

(7) Cross carefully and take Rue du Pigeonnier opposite, heading towards the holiday village, and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 159 m - Departure from the cycle path towards L'Ardèche and the - Auzon (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ardèche
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 167 m - Vogüé station
  3. 2 : km 1.67 - alt. 164 m - D579, right then left
  4. 3 : km 3.28 - alt. 161 m - D579, on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 156 m - Crossroads towards the D114
  6. 5 : km 4.47 - alt. 145 m - Place au bord de l' - Ardèche
  7. 6 : km 5.84 - alt. 161 m - Pradeloup crossroads
  8. 7 : km 6.55 - alt. 167 m - Crossroads with the D579
  9. S/E : km 6.93 - alt. 158 m - Start of the cycle path

Notes

Between points (3) and (4), the D579 can be very busy during the season for about 300 metres. If possible, choose weekdays outside of school holidays for a more peaceful experience. The same applies if you are bothered by aircraft noise (particularly microlights), as Lanas aerodrome is nearby. The other sections of road are quieter.

The greenway is now paved from Vogüé to Saint Marcel d'Ardèche, designed especially for families (children learning to ride bikes). There is still one kilometre of road to reach Lanas.

Worth a visit

From the bridge over the Auzon, take the time to admire the river, sometimes dry, sometimes torrential, and its rocky environment shaped by erosion in the limestone relief.

(4) This is a place where the Ardèche riverbed is very wide, which is unusual. From the bridge, admire the wooded island in the middle of the river upstream (the only one in the Ardèche riverbed?) and its wide course downstream.

(5) At the end of the bridge on the right, on the banks of the Ardèche, there is a square with two benches under the poplar trees, which is ideal for a picnic. From there, you can also explore the winding medieval streets of the old village: passageways under arches, stone houses with ancient façades... This place, little known even to the people of Ardèche, is worth spending some time exploring.

After the village, there are opportunities to venture towards the banks of the Ardèche, but be careful, as the banks are steep at this point and the current can be strong. Just admire the beautiful rocky areas.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 25 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
denisvallee
denisvallee

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This tour is particularly worthwhile for visiting the village of Lanas.

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Flopflop
Flopflop

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pretty, varied, easy
Be careful when crossing a stream, as you are very likely to get your feet wet!

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Constant Caron
Constant Caron
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
95% of this hike takes place on the asphalt of the cycle path and then on the road. You can hardly see the river. In my opinion, this hike is not very interesting. It is even dangerous towards the end.

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jemarche72
jemarche72

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

All comments prior to the description are relevant.
Following recent improvements, this loop (return from 5 to 6 via the D114) has become very popular with cyclists
The coolness of the route along the Ardèche is very pleasant.

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Topodarles13
Topodarles13

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, especially the second part after visiting Lanas
Lots of people on the greenway, but fewer afterwards
hike completed on 31 December

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Pierre J
Pierre J
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Between points 3 and 4, instead of walking along the country road, continue along the old railway line and reach the village of Saint-Maurice d'Ardèche by going up the bridge that crosses the railway line – there are steps on the left after the bridge. Then reach point 4 by crossing the village.

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Didier.Ouillon
Didier.Ouillon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I am always sure to find a perfect hike on Visorando. The routes are very well marked and there are no surprises

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ancoline
ancoline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very busy route, but it was Sunday! Beautiful views, no difficulty except for caution on the road...

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Ilse
Ilse

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The sections on the D579 are not very pleasant parish specific to Brittany.

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identifiantvisorando
identifiantvisorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's true that there's tarmac (but we were warned) and in hot weather it's not ideal, which is a shame because the rest of the hike is nice

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mano2607
mano2607

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely family walk, ideal for getting back into shape

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DANIELE FRANCOIS
DANIELE FRANCOIS

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Far too much road, not enough path near the river.

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boninmi
boninmi

Hello Olivier,

too much tar, sorry, I didn't like it

That's your prerogative.
I refer you to the comment addressed to Algod.
I have described many hikes with little tarmac. See also the pages by fontasse and pb07 in particular.

Best regards.

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olivier duchesnay
olivier duchesnay

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

too much tar. Sorry, I didn't like it

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Algod
Algod

Hello Boninmi,

First of all, well done on your contributions. I saw that you suggested lots of routes, and I really admire your spirit of sharing, which takes a lot of work.

Regarding this particular route, I'm not sure that the information about it being intended for people who have difficulty walking is very clear – in any case, it didn't catch my attention at first glance.

And indeed, the entire "old railway line" section is perfectly suited to people in this situation.

In any case, don't let my comment discourage you from doing other routes, it's really nice!

Best regards.

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