Prunet walks

After the Sainte-Philomène Chapel, the highest point (3) of the forest road (890m) offers a stunning aerial view of Jaujac and its volcanic caldera. To the east, the foothills of the Vercors; closer by, the Coiron, the Escrinet and the Roche de Gourdon; below, to the north, Jaujac and the Lignon valley; and to the west, the Tanargue and the Cham du Cros.

La Cham du Cros is the peak at the eastern end of the Tanargue massif. From there, the view stretches from the mountains of the south to the north of the Alps and, on a clear day, as far as Mont Blanc.

Between Prunet and Jaujac, the Col de la Croix de Millet offers a beautiful view of the Ligne valley to the south and the Lignon valley to the north. The climb to the Col du Merle and the return after Pissas are through woodland, while the bare ridges of the Cham du Cros offer beautiful views of the southern Ardèche from the Vagorge valley and the Tour de Brison in the Cévennes, the Rhône valley and Mont Ventoux to the east, and Mont Lozère to the west.

The Col de Bonne Rencontre connects the two valleys of La Ligne and La Lande. Several hamlets perched on the heights offer magnificent views, on one side of the Cévennes, on the other of Mont Ventoux. You will pass through chestnut groves, olive groves, vineyards and sheep pastures. The hamlets, which bear witness to a thriving agricultural industry in the 19th century, have been beautifully restored and are well maintained.

This hike is reserved for hikers with some climbing and balance skills, who are in good physical condition and have basic orienteering skills to navigate the old path. Vertigo may be an issue. Take great care on the section known as the "Chemin Tortueux" where you will need to use your hands to get through. Otherwise, there are some beautiful views, passing through chestnut groves, cherry orchards, pastures and even beehives.

A pleasant, shaded short walk through typical Vivarais countryside: pine forests, chestnut groves, olive trees and vineyards. You will pass through two hamlets on the heights of Chassiers: the hamlet of Montquoquiol, then the pretty hamlet of La Rouvière. The view stretches out on one side over the Val de Ligne with its peak, the Cham du Cros, and across the southern Ardèche as far as Mont Ventoux.

Between Jaujac and La Souche, the Lignon valley is an open valley, dominated to the north by the Rocher du Midi and to the south by the Tanargue massif. The hike takes you along the left bank, where you can admire old buildings and walk along beautiful, pleasant paths dotted with old bridges crossing streams, then back along the right bank and a succession of old hamlets.

Starting from Jaujac, there is a magnificent Roman bridge and impressive basalt columns on the banks of the Lignon. Tour via the Pont de l'Échelette, the Château de Rochemure (Maison du Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche) and finally climb the Coupe de Jaujac volcano with a tour of the crater.

A hike through the hills, with not too much elevation gain. On the way there, along the ridges, you can enjoy superb views of the Ardèche, sometimes to the north, sometimes to the south. The return route takes you along a variety of paths through sandstone terrain and pine woods.

Don't forget your cameras for this walk, which will take you up to a ridge where you can enjoy exceptional views of the Ardèche plateau, the Aubenas basin and the Vercors. You will then plunge into the undergrowth to discover the small hamlets of Lentillères.In spring, the flora is very interesting.

Starting from Jaujac, climb up to Pic de Ladenne and Rocher de Courcoussat and descend via a circular route to Pont de l'Echelette in Bonneval. Magnificent panoramic views of the ridge line.

The commune of Chassiers covers a large area, bordered by the River Ligne on the side of the Camping des Ranchisses / Largentière, and by the Lande, which flows through a pretty valley before joining the Ligne at Uzer; the Ligne then joins the Ardèche at Ruoms. Between the rivers lies a landscape of cultivated terraces (faysses), a multitude of hamlets and panoramic views of the Cévennes, Mont Ventoux, the Vercors and the Alps. Chassiers is a village with the “Village de caractères” designation, featuring narrow streets, a square where you can stop for a drink, chapels and a fortified church. Halfway along the route, a refreshing, shaded stop is available by the river.

A somewhat steep climb up an old paved slanting street, but once at the top, your efforts are rewarded with a superb view of the upper Ardèche valley at the Col de Fontfreyde, followed by a 360° view from the summit of the Rocher du Midi. After a beautiful stretch along the ridge, the less steep descent zigzags between the various hamlets of La Souche.

Visit Rocles and its hamlets, pretty villages in the Ardèche. Walk in the chestnut grove. The Tour de Brison offers a fantastic 360° view for 100 km around.

This hike takes you along country and forest paths south of Prades with beautiful views to the north-west over the Salindre valley and, further away, the Monts de Ladenne and Sainte-Marguerite, but also over the south of the Ardèche as you pass along the ridge overlooking Lentillères. The use of an IGN map and the Visorando app's GPS is essential.