Picnic at the Rocher de Casse-Noix

A short, easy hike in the Ardèche Cévennes, to discover a few hamlets, pretty chestnut groves, a few streams with crystal-clear water and, above all, one of the lesser-known highlights of the Besorgues valley: the Rocher de Casse-Noix (854 m). The name alone makes us want to go there for a picnic.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.91 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 545 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 546 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 880 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 498 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from Col d'Aizac.

(S/E) Take the small road heading south-west for 150 m to the hiking signpost slightly below.

(1) Turn right onto theGRP® trail (yellow and red markings). Follow the path downhill to reach the Besorgues valley.

(2) Cross the bridge and, 30 m further on, take the very narrow road on the right, then immediately follow the path on the left, crossing a stream via a concrete footbridge. You will reach the D243; cross it and take the tarmac track heading south-east. Follow it for 200 m.

(3) Leave the GRP® and take the yellow-marked path climbing up to the left, due south, through the chestnut trees. Follow this path to the hamlet of La Roche.

(4) Continue straight on to the hamlet and you will come out onto a small road which you should follow as it continues. At the first junction, continue straight on and, a few dozen metres further on, take the road on the right, which winds uphill to join a track heading due east.

(6) Continue straight on and stay on this track. Just before the first houses, cross the Ruisseau des Champeaux via a submersible bridge.

(7) Turn left onto a lovely, shaded track heading south-west. There are no further signposts on this section.

(8) Leave this lovely track and head due west onto another recently dug track. Follow it as it climbs gently. Shortly afterwards, it becomes a path and leads to an electric fence (handles to open).

(9) You’ll emerge onto a vast meadow, climbing steadily westwards. There’s no path here; head for the highest point visible on the right, the Rocher de Casse-Noix.

(10) A lovely spot for a picnic with 360° views. Head down towards the west, following the fence, and join the track descending from the Col de Hautaizac: back on the yellow markings. Take it to the right, heading due north, to the Col de Juvinas.

(11) Cross the D343 at the pass and continue down the opposite side to the village church: “Juvinas” signpost.

(12) Leave the main road to the right, taking the small road that winds down in hairpin bends, which soon branches off due south. Here we rejoin theGRP® (yellow and red markings).

(13) After the last house in the village, cross a stream via a pretty bridge and follow theGRP® track to the left until you reach the point (3) from the outward journey.

(3) Continue straight on, cross the road and then the bridge.

(2) Follow the same route as on the way out, but in the opposite direction, and return to the hiking signpost (1) at the start.

(1) Turn left and head for the Col d'Aizac (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 642 m - Gîte & Chambres d'Hôtes "LE VOLCAN D'AIZAC" ... juste au pied du Volcan d'Aizac !
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 635 m - Mille Soles hiking signpost
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 498 m - Bridge over the - Bézorgues (rivière) - Affluent de la Volane
  4. 3 : km 1.46 - alt. 539 m - La Joie hiking signpost
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 642 m - Trail junction
  6. 5 : km 3.22 - alt. 629 m - La Roche hamlet
  7. 6 : km 4.1 - alt. 680 m - Trail junction
  8. 7 : km 4.95 - alt. 730 m - Les Champeaux
  9. 8 : km 5.39 - alt. 755 m - Junction
  10. 9 : km 5.81 - alt. 802 m - End
  11. 10 : km 6.07 - alt. 879 m - Rocher de Casse-Noix
  12. 11 : km 7.15 - alt. 716 m - Col de Juvinas (721m)
  13. 12 : km 7.87 - alt. 664 m - Juvinas hiking signpost
  14. 13 : km 8.22 - alt. 642 m - Hiking signpost at Sous Juvinas
  15. S/E : km 10.91 - alt. 641 m - Gîte & Chambres d'Hôtes "LE VOLCAN D'AIZAC" ... juste au pied du Volcan d'Aizac !

Notes

- It is possible to go directly from point (4) to point (6), but it would be a real shame not to pass through the little gem that is the hamlet of La Roche.

- You’ll pass through a few animal enclosures: please make sure you close the gates properly.

- Very rocky and uneven paths: wear sturdy footwear.

- A few hamlets with water points.

- Refreshments at Col d'Aizac; small grocery shop, bar, and restaurant.

- Accommodation at Col d'Aizac, at the Lodge et Chambres d'Hôtes du Volcan d'Aizac - 04 75 38 77 81 - Breakfasts... picnics...

Worth a visit

(S/E) Aizac: a pretty, peaceful village surrounded by nature at the foot of the Volcan d'Aizac.

You can take a themed walk exploring the Volcan d'Aizac’s ancient volcanic activity. A short hike of 1 to 2 hours takes you to the summit... with information boards along the route. You can contact the “Le Volcan d’Aizac” Lodge & Chambres d’Hôtes. They will be happy to provide information and lend you documents and guidebooks on this 80,000-year-old volcano, which is now extinct... unfortunately!

Antraigues-sur-Volane is 3 km away.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Lulumoon
Lulumoon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike with my dog. Some of the paths have shifted slightly, and the gate is a bit further on, but I had no trouble finding my way with the GPS. The view from the summit is absolutely worth it! It’s best to do the route this way; the descent is a real treat for the eyes.

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Dancoud
Dancoud

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through terraced chestnut woodland. Views over Entraigues, Saint-Pierre de Colombier and Juvinas. At a place called Les Roches, once you reach the top of the village, take the path on the left marked with a Yellow Cross and a White Cross. The signposted route descends towards Juvinas rather than to the summit. Once at the summit, where a thatched barn still stands, head down towards Saint-Pierre de Colombier and you will find a yellow and white signposted path that descends to Juvinas and ends the walk at Aizac.

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Shalva
Shalva

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk through the chestnut trees on the way there. You have to work hard to reach the summit, as it involves a steep climb across a meadow where there’s no proper path, but the view from the top is stunning, with the snow-capped Alps and Mont Ventoux in the distance.

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Kwiss07
Kwiss07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A truly stunning view, and it really is worth waiting until you reach the rock to have a bite to eat! With the autumn colours, it was a real treat for the eyes too! It’s quite a climb, but well worth the effort!
Thanks for suggesting this hike!

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micvisorando
micvisorando

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A lovely hike, quite tiring, especially on the final steep climb before Casse-Noix
The ratio of elevation gain to distance means this hike is hard-earned, but it’s enjoyable.
The Casse-Noix rock was shrouded in mist, which was a shame.
Thanks to the author of this hike
Michel

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