Circular loop around the village of La Souche

This walk takes you along one of the countless paths winding through the chestnut groves; best enjoyed in autumn, when the stunning colours are at their best. It is truly enchanting!
This walk is an invitation to continue exploring this magnificent Ardèche heritage.
April 2023: route modified at the request of a chestnut grove owner.
This change means walkers will have to cover a little more tarmac road (alas!)

Details

4270232
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 1.72 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 400 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 407 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,073 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,699 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Behind the church, by the cemetery, follow the road to the left for 200 m and, after crossing the bridge over the Ruisseau du Ranc Rognon, immediately take the small path marked in yellow and white on the right, which climbs alongside this stream.

Pass a bridge on your right and continue climbing (still following the same markings) until you come to another path, which you cross to take the path opposite. Turn sharply right and continue climbing to reach the next junction (fluorescent red sign “P21” and signpost “Le Petit Montaigu”) with a slightly wider path.

(1) Follow the marked path along the Chemin des Plantades (road) to reach the hamlet of Le Rabeyrol; continue to follow the marked route which crosses the hamlet and heads south-east, turning into a path before reaching a junction.

(2) Turn left, following the markings; the path descends and reaches a tarmac road which you follow for 200 m, passing houses. At no. 200, a small path branches off to the left; follow this, still marked in yellow and white, which leads to the D19 at a place called Charay.

(3) Turn left and follow the road with care for about 200 m. Pass the Chemin de Charrail and continue along the road until you reach the next path branching off to the left, the Chemin des Endettés.

Take this path, still marked in yellow and white, which initially climbs to the left and, after a bend, heads north-west, rising gently. Keep going in the same direction and follow the markings for 500 m. Pass a junction with signposts and a small bridge (Pont du Vallat Neuf) and continue in the same direction, heading towards the church steeple to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,818 ft - Église Saint-Sauveur (La Souche)
  2. 1 : mi 0.25 - alt. 1,955 ft - junction; start of the old route
  3. 2 : mi 0.74 - alt. 2,073 ft - Crossroads
  4. 3 : mi 1.19 - alt. 1,699 ft - Junction with the D19
  5. S/E : mi 1.72 - alt. 1,818 ft - Saint-Sauveur Church (La Souche). Near the - Lignon (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ardèche

Notes

To reach the start of the walk, if you are coming from Aubenas, drive through the village of La Souche to the end. A sign points to the Croix de Bauzon on the right; do not follow it, but leave the main road and turn left. The steep road climbs up to the Church of Saint-Sauveur. Park in the car park to the left of the church.

Accommodation is available at the "La Châtaigneraie" guesthouse, located at the start of the walk.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
ramatuelle83
ramatuelle83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this little route just before Christmas with the family

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Hello X67
Thank you for your feedback; indeed, at this time of year there can’t be many people exploring the magnificent mountains of the Ardèche...
I also think spring is a lovely time of year for hiking in these areas.
Kind regards

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x67
x67

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for sharing this; as I’ve only just moved to the area, this is my first time here.

In late autumn/early winter, with the path covered in leaves, it’s hard to see where you’re stepping; I’ll do it again in spring/summer to see the change in the landscape and the vegetation turning green again.

It was very peaceful, with no one around and just the sound of the stream as I walked...

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gypaetus
gypaetus

Thank you, Chtiardechoise, for posting about this lovely walk; the Ardèche countryside is absolutely stunning, and you walk through the chestnut groves, surrounded by a past that still feels very much alive.
I’m very glad your group enjoyed it
Best regards

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chtiardechoise
chtiardechoise

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks to Gypaetus. As for parking, we preferred to leave the cars below the mini-market, which was more convenient for setting off again; this didn’t stop us from doing the circular route, although there was a bit of a climb at the start, it was very much appreciated by the group members. A very picturesque route through chestnut groves with a few breaks for our dogs and us. We completed the route in just under two hours; along the way we only came across the owner of the 1870s house, and, almost at the finish, some workers who were carrying out some work.

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