Plateau de Labeaume and Chemin des Lavandières

Spectacular hike off the beaten track and unmarked trails on the limestone plateau of Labeaume, discovering the landscapes and vernacular heritage: engraved crosses, dolmens, cliff-side path to the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers.
On the way back, pass by the splendid Mas de l'Abeille.

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Details

83311
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 258 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 254 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 245 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 109 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in a small car park on the edge of the D245

(S/E). From the car park, follow the track to the Ranc de Figère site.
Enter the site, see the dolmens (explanatory sign) and climb up the sharp limestone pavement to an artificial water reservoir, improved in the 19th century.

Unmarked area

(1) Ignore the white-yellow sign on the left and take the track going up to the right, which turns into a stony path to the right of a gate. After a few hundred metres, join a path that leads to a small road (large house).
Turn left, then after about 80 m, turn right and stay on this road. After a little less than 200 m, pass a white gate on the right and follow the shaded path to a three-way junction.

(2) Take the path on the left until you reach a small cirque. This part of the path does not appear on the IGN map, so the route is uncertain (GPS is not useful).
Walk along the rocks on your right and turn right at a small olive tree until you reach the track.

(3) Turn right until you reach a small paved road. Follow it to the left, ignoring the two dead ends on the right, until you reach a three-way junction. Turn right and follow the road until you reach the "l'Abeille" hiking signpost.

White-yellow signposted area

::4: Head towards "Chauzon" on the right and follow the sign for "Cirque des Gens".

(5) From this sign, you will begin a round trip on one of the "Chemins de Lavandières" (Washerwomen's Paths).
The track passes alongside an inhabited house and then turns into a path on sharp limestone pavement or between two slabs.

(6) Pay attention to the marked trail that leaves the main path on the left and descends towards La Ligne through the woods, otherwise you will arrive at a private home after 500-600 metres.

Ignore the blue markings (route classified as dangerous). A little further on, the path begins its descent to the D4.

(7) Cross the road carefully at the top and stay in single file until you reach a small building; turn left and descend the steep path (watch out for ball-bearing-like gravel) to the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers, where the washerwomen used to rinse their sheets.
Return by the same route (carefully crossing the D4 road directly below the path) until you reach the Cirque des Gens sign.

Unmarked area

(5) Turn right (see photo) and ignore the white and yellow signpost. Follow the path straight ahead, pass the Croix de Titare and at the end of the path turn right until you reach the cliff: there is a viewpoint over the Ligne gorge.

(8) Retrace your steps and continue straight ahead, without turning left towards the Croix de Titare, until you reach a wide track on the left.

(9) At the three-way junction, turn right (mountain bike sign) which will take you to Mas de l'Abeille.

White-yellow signposted area

(10) Take the time to explore this site with its two adjoining farmhouses!
Continue straight ahead until you reach a hiking signpost and turn left.

(11) At the "Croix des Pèlerins", turn right, then a few steps further on, turn left and follow the signs.

(1) Follow the same route back to the small car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 174 m - Small car park on the D245 (cross)
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 202 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 1.39 - alt. 238 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 2.12 - alt. 211 m - Fork in the road
  5. 4 : km 3.15 - alt. 217 m - Hiking signpost "l'Abeille"
  6. 5 : km 3.81 - alt. 234 m - Cirque des Gens sign
  7. 6 : km 4.46 - alt. 233 m - Fork
  8. 7 : km 5.38 - alt. 144 m - Crossing the D4. Confluence with the Ligne - Ardèche
  9. 8 : km 8.06 - alt. 226 m - Viewpoint over the defile of the - Ligne (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 9.84 - alt. 222 m - Three-way junction
  11. 10 : km 10.82 - alt. 212 m - Mas de l'Abeille
  12. 11 : km 12.32 - alt. 238 m - Pilgrims' Cross
  13. S/E : km 13.33 - alt. 175 m - Small car park on the D245 (cross)

Notes

Start set back on the right at the top of the D245 road between Ruoms and Labeaume. Small sign "Dolmens, Ranc de Figère" next to a villa with green shutters (see photos). Drive 200 m to the cross (small car park).

Part of the route is unmarked.
Do not follow the small blue signs, especially towards the (6) route, which is classified as dangerous

No water source; shelter at Mas l'Abeille (small barn on the left of the track); often stony or rocky terrain.

High shoes and walking sticks recommended (gravel on the steep slope between the D4 and the Ligne River).

Avoid in wet weather, as rocks are slippery.

Worth a visit

Dolmens
The route runs alongside Neolithic burial grounds with numerous dolmens that are more modest than majestic, such as those at Ranc de Figère. They have been restored by the local association "Dolmens et Patrimoine", which is also restoring the hanging gardens of "Récatadou" (see TV programme "Des racines et des ailes")

Chemins des Lavandières
in the past, sheets were washed by soaking them in water mixed with ash, and this process, known as "bujadas", was repeated three times. The washerwomen then descended from the plateau to rinse the sheets in the Ligne river. Their husbands came down at the end of the afternoon to help them carry the laundry back up...
It should be noted that, laden with laundry to be rinsed, the washerwomen would descend to the Ligne in a quarter of an hour...''

Mas de l'Abeille:
The origin of the name is unknown. Since 1962, they have been owned by the young singers of Saint-Louis-en-l'île, who stay there during the summer and spring holidays while giving concerts in the Ardèche region. The main farmhouse is rented out for family gatherings, friends' get-togethers, courses, etc.

Bonus
At the end of this walk, get back in your cars and drive down to the village of Labeaume, one of the most beautiful in the Ardèche, and stroll through the narrow streets to the banks of the Baume River, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim! Finally, in the church square, don't miss a break from your diet at the Bec-Figue, a very friendly local bistro (booking required during tourist season)!

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 44 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
anca69
anca69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike.
There is no parking near the starting point, as large rocks prevent parking along the small road.
The dolmen site with explanations is very interesting, an easy hike with some nice views

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Mich0726
Mich0726

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Oh! The washerwomen were running down? It took me half an hour!
I made some wonderful discoveries along the way and met some nice people.
I was lucky enough to visit the Mas de l'Abeille, which was occupied by the young singers of St Louis who were just getting ready to go on tour. I was invited by one of the organisers to visit the old silkworm farm, what a treat!
A very beautiful hike.

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Chantal P
Chantal P

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In section S/E, it is not specified that you have to leave the dolmen site and follow the track to the reservoir, so we continued across the sharp limestone pavement, which was difficult to walk on in places (but we made it through).

I mainly used the Visiorando app for this route, but the description was essential for the part that was not covered by GPS. I can confirm that at point 2, the route does not correspond exactly to reality.

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abeauville
abeauville

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk. Sometimes a little too much trail, but that's probably unavoidable. The Ranc de Figères and its dolmens are worth spending some time exploring (interesting explanations); the descent to the confluence of the Ligne and Ardèche rivers is spectacular.

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07430lebois
07430lebois

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful tour in a beautiful region.
Guided by someone who knew the area well, I didn't have to worry too much about the itinerary!
So I gave the first two questions a "medium" rating

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PALACIO
PALACIO

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Apart from the dolmen circuit, there isn't much to see. Be careful at the starting point as there is no longer any parking space. Parking has been removed and large boulders block access.
especially avoid visiting in hot weather.

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, very pleasant with no particular difficulties. Thank you for this beautiful route.

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coeudevez
coeudevez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is the second time we've done this hike in different seasons and we always enjoy it just as much... the GPX (we only use that now) is super accurate. However, we never found the house with the green shutters and the sign at the start, but we did eventually find the cross.
Thanks to the author for the route, some beautiful and varied places, a real pleasure

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nicks2
nicks2

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The picnic at the confluence of the Ardèche and Ligne rivers was magnificent.
a beautiful hike

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Michel_M
Michel_M

Hello Daniele,

Thanks for your comments: I've just corrected these inaccuracies

Enjoy your walks!

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DANIELE30
DANIELE30

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

the written directions lack precision, and a few additional details would have avoided any confusion.
Nice hike.
best regards

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zoreille07
zoreille07

Hello,

I am planning this hike on 13/11/2019: __what's "new" about the comment from 1 April "Unable to find the path after point 4 to get to point yes.
Fenced and electrified area. Had to return to point 3 to reach point 9."
__
Thanks

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Michel_M
Michel_M

Point 4:
This is what I wrote:
In point 4, however, both paths are in the public domain.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

@Michel_M

For your information (unless I am mistaken)

If you look at the land registry, the path heading north from point (4) to above elevation 246 is marked as public land.

The path heading east, from elevation 246 to point (7), crosses plots 276 and 281.

The western route, from elevation 246 to point (8), crosses plots 197, 198, 199 and 201.

https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/donnees/p...

A+

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Michel_M
Michel_M

Hello,

Sorry for this incident!

At point 4, both paths are in the public domain.
This is not the first time there have been problems in this area: aggressive dogs near a house a little further away.

I will contact the town hall to see if a report can be filed.

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