Pradelles walks

This is the 4th stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage marks the transition from the Pays des Puys du Velay, with its open, hilly landscapes, to the Gévaudan, with its more enclosed landscapes and deep woodlands. The route follows the GR®70 (Red and White waymarkers).

This hike offers beautiful views of the Naussac Reservoir and the Rac de Langogne, and you can discover the small Donozau waterfall along beautiful paths.

When it gets too hot in southern Ardèche, hiking in fine weather on the Ardèche plateau can be a good idea. This circular loop starting from a local centre mostly follows farm tracks or small roads, with beautiful views of the volcanic knolls in places.

This walk offers a beautiful view of the hilltop village of Arlempdes (pronounced "Arlende"). Listed as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in France", it occupies a stunning site on a rocky spur overlooking the wild gorges of the Loire.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

A very pleasant hike through meadows and woods, the latter being very diverse. There are many landscapes and viewpoints, notably over the Mercoire forest and the Moure de la Gardille. All seasons are interesting: spring with its rushing rivers, summer with its refreshing forests, autumn marked by a symphony of colours.

A magnificent discovery of the wild Loire and its tributary, the Orcival, hidden at the foot of Issarlès, with pretty pools, beautiful waterfalls and basalt cliffs. A short and easy hike, but one that still requires good footwear and a minimum of agility to navigate the sometimes slippery slabs along the banks of the Loire.

Fifth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage includes significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. Alternatives exist, notably to go directly to La Bastide-Puylaurent without passing through Notre-Dame-des-Neiges.

This route is the third stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This is undoubtedly the easiest stage of the tour. The route follows the GR®70 (follow the well-known GR® markings). Please note the route may have been slightly modified from what is shown on the map, in particular to avoid a few short stretches of busy road.

Tour of Lake Issarlès, with its clear waters, in the ancient crater of a volcano.

This is a lovely walk with many views of Lake Issarlès from the Col de Gage and the Suc de Cherchemuse in particular, as well as the confluence of the Gage and the Loire and the surrounding mountains. The diverse landscapes will allow you to discover the richness of the Ardèche plateau: lava flows, wild raspberry bushes, volcanic rocks, Scots pines, beech trees, larch trees and more.

An ideal place for a walk, Lac du Bouchet is reminiscent of a Canadian lake. A real gem in its forest setting, this circular lake of volcanic origin occupies the site of an ancient crater. The suggested route allows you to walk around it. It is a very easy walk that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

A circular route for exploring the pretty Orcival valley, one of the first tributaries of the Loire. Part of the route is on a very quiet little road through the forest. Very pretty views of the Mézenc plateau.

A lovely hike with little elevation gain. In the distance, the peaks of Mézenc. Alternating meadows, pretty hamlets and forests. Château de Vachères at the start.

A beautiful circular hike, full of panoramic views, to discover the western part of the Mézenc plateau, with the Orcival, a tributary of the Loire, as your guide. Sometimes high up with the knolls as your horizon, sometimes flowing with the torrent as your guide, this is a hike in the heart of authentic Mézenc. Please note that this route includes a section of approximately 400 m across pastures, off the beaten track, as well as several fords across the torrent. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

A long walk alternating between panoramic views and beautiful woodland, discovering the Rocher Tourte, the water tower for the neighbouring villages, but also a playground for climbers in summer and sled dogs in winter.

Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.

Sixth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting.

Short route on the heights of Saint-Laurent-les-Bains to the watchtower overlooking the village. You can enjoy the hot spring (53°C) located in the central square as well as the thermal baths.

This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.

A very pleasant, bucolic hike on well-marked paths, with no major technical difficulties. You will pass through varied landscapes with numerous panoramic views.

In Ardèche, this circular hike takes you to the Gloria Friedmann Lighthouse, located on the watershed at the summit of Moure de l'Abéouradou.

The point of interest on this route is linked to the history of the Transcévenole, an old railway line, and the Récoumène Viaduct. It also offers beautiful views of the region.

Starting with a short circular route in the Devès, near Cayres, a visit to Lac du Bouchet, well known to volcanology enthusiasts, is a must.

Second stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. It's at Monastier-sur-Gazeille, and thus with this second stage, that Stevenson's real route begins. From this point on, the route follows the GR®70 (Red and White markings). Please note: the markings have been slightly modified from those shown in violet on the IGN map (in particular to avoid a few short stretches of road).

A beautiful route around the little-known sources of the Allier.

Panoramic walk around Freycenet-la Cuche with views of Mont Mézenc.

In Haute-Loire, in the "midlands" of Auvergne, starting from Le Monastier sur Gazeille, take a walk in the French "highlands", as R. L. Stevenson called them in 1878 when he stayed in Le Monastier before embarking on his journey that took him to Saint-Jean du Gard in 12 days with his donkey Modestine.

This very demanding route climbs steeply through the undergrowth on the high plateaus. From up there, the landscape over the Tanargue, directly above Mayres, takes on a whole new dimension. The descent back to the starting point is just as steep.

A beautiful circular along a very pretty trail offering splendid views of the valley, the village of Mayres and the mountain range on the opposite side for most of the climb. A superb panorama awaits us at the summit, where we can see the Mézenc and Gerbier de Jonc, among others. Further in the distance, the Alps stand out in the background.

You are at the heart of the Ardèche. View of the Cevennes and the Gerbier de Jonc.

A very beautiful walk, with views in all directions over the peaks of the Haute-Loire. An easy hike, although there is a slightly uneven descent at the end of the route, requiring good footwear.

A hike on the highest part of the Tanargue ridge. With little elevation gain, you will enjoy magnificent views of the lower Ardèche, the Alps and the Ardèche plateau. In the height of summer, you will benefit from the coolness of the altitude and large shaded areas.

For all hikers, the Rocher d'Abraham can only be reached from Mayres. The circuit described below is for people who want to reach the summit with less effort. It can be done in an afternoon, is not particularly difficult, apart from the final ascent, and offers vast and magnificent landscapes throughout the route.

A hike on the highest part of the Tanargue ridge with magnificent panoramic views of the lower Ardèche, the Alps and the Ardèche plateau. The route has little elevation gain and is mostly on easy forest roads.

A pleasant route in good weather with beautiful, unobstructed views of the Ardèche plateau. The return through the forest after Les Chambons allows you to escape the heat of the ridges and, depending on the season, pick mushrooms.

This is a very pleasant hike, partly along a ridge leading to the Tour des Poignets, which offers superb panoramic views of the Lozère mountains, Tanargue, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Mézenc, etc. All along the ridge, you can admire the Rocher d'Abraham in front of you. After climbing through the rocks, the arrival at the summit reveals a metal sculpture created by Pierre Louis Chipon in tribute to Jean Gilly, a great sportsman from the Ardèche region.

Hike above the Col de la Croix-de-Bauzon, with the first part of the route in the forest and the second part on the ridge offering beautiful views. If you are lucky enough to do this short trip on a clear day, you will be able to see the Alps and Mont Ventoux on the horizon.

Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.

A short hike to discover this village in the Devès region, a Cluniac site.

This historic trail was used by forest rangers who patrolled the paths between the valley and the Ardèche plateau. This route is ideal for starting or ending a stay in the area as the elevation gain is not particularly challenging. There is a breathtaking view of the Tanargue and a return trip on the old Valgorge road once used by carts. The people of the Ardèche usually take this route on 18 August, the day of the traditional Loubaresse fair.

This circular hike takes you to the Tanargue plateau via a magnificent trail. Once on the plateau, you can follow the ridge trail to discover superb views of the Ardèche mountains.

A very short walk between the thatched village of Moudeyres, its eco-museum, the Ferme des Frères Perrel, and the heights of the Aubépin valley.

Circular route on the heights of the Allier, around Monistrol, to discover a chapel overlooking the valley. See the variation in the Practical Information section for a round trip to Château de la Beaume. According to one review, it seems thatthe Visorando app is necessary to follow the route properly.

This long circular loop offers two very different atmospheres. The first part is spent in the company of pilgrims on the Way of St James, often in groups, some more talkative than others, passing through hamlets marked by this pilgrimage (crosses, statues). In the second part, you will be alone in the world in the vast expanses of the plateau overlooking the Allier valley.The Visorando app is useful on certain sections.