Saint-Étienne-de-Fontbellon walks

This short hike offers beautiful views of the Ardèche plain, from Saint-Sernin to Aubenas. As a bonus, you can search for the remains of dolmens on the Serre Bastel, a treasure hunt that will delight children. On the way back, the trail passes by the Tour de Ville, the remains of a ruined castle that has unfortunately been abandoned.

An easy walk with beautiful views of Aubenas, the Sainte-Marguerite mountain, Saint-Julien-du-Serre and, in the distance, the Col de l'Escrinet and the Coiron volcanic massif. Take your time to stroll through the old fortified village of Vieil Ucel and don't miss a quick trip to the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.

An easy hike on a limestone plateau with few trees. Beautiful views of the Ardèche valley and the surrounding mountains.

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.

Circuit from Vogüé towards Balazuc, taking the old railway line (Vogüé-Grospierre greenway, which is flat, a rarity in the Ardèche), and returning along the right bank of the Ardèche, which is wilder. Please note: there is a lot of tarmac and cycle paths on this route, which should be avoided if you have allergies.

A route starting at a hilltop village, Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, with a wonderful, panoramic 180° view over the Ardèche mountains and plains, from Villeneuve de Berg to the Col de l'Escrinet (the Cham du Cros, Rocher d’Abraham, Montagne Sainte-Marguerite, Mont Lozère). In addition, educational panels depicting the history, geology and life on the Coiron adorn this hike.

Walked and re-walked by families from the villages around Mirabel, this easy walk is renowned for its exceptional views, including 180° views from the top of the basalt cliffs and the tower. The walk ends in the medieval village, where you can stroll through the labyrinth of narrow streets, cul-de-sacs and vaulted passageways.

The Plateau des Gras is a limestone plateau crossed by rivers, situated between the Bois de Païolive woods in the southwest and the slopes of the Coiron in the northeast. The northwestern edge of the plateau overlooks a depression extending from Aubenas to Les Vans. The footpaths along this edge of the plateau offer unspoilt views of the Monts d'Ardèche hills at the eastern edge of the Massif Central. The walk also takes you along beautiful paths amid oak trees and to a viewpoint overlooking the village of Balazuc.

Family hike starting from the village of Balazuc. For children, there is a small, safe cave to visit and a walk along the water's edge. Easy route, mostly signposted but a little rocky in places.

An easy family walk to the "Forêt des sens" (forest of senses), arboretum and interpretive trail created under the impetus of the municipal children's council. A few welcome benches punctuate this playful and instructive walk for all ages.

A peaceful walk with no sporting challenges, through varied landscapes, a hamlet with beautiful houses and spectacular architecture, an easy climb up to a ledge with splendid views of the Ardèche. Return by wandering through the narrow medieval streets of old Balazuc with its craft shops May 2019. Thanks to Pb07 for helping me correct the route 624 May 2025. User comment: In the description, ignore the colours of the house and shutters, which have changed

Set off on a nature walk around the picturesque village of Balazuc, listed as one of the "most beautiful villages in France", nestled in the heart of southern Ardèche. This hike, accessible to all, invites you to discover the richness of the local biodiversity: wild orchids, fragrant heath, pollinating insects, cliff birds and traces of the discreet wildlife that inhabits this area. You will learn to recognise the plants that are emblematic of the Mediterranean landscape and observe the tiny inhabitants of this unspoilt environment. A sensory and educational immersion in an exceptional setting, between limestone, rivers and holm oaks.

A varied hike that takes you along a small canyon. Not to be done on a very hot day. 13/02/2024: Route modified following a municipal order. See practical information.

Le Coiron is a wild basalt plateau. On the southern side, near Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, troglodyte dwellings were built in the medieval period in the basalt cliffs of Montbrun. From Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron, a small road winding across the plateau takes you to Mirabel, where you can enjoy magnificent views from the keep. The only downside is that two-thirds of the route is on paved roads, although there is very little traffic.

Discover the flora and, if you're lucky, the fauna, as well as the built heritage. This hike can be adapted to suit your preferences by following well-marked trails.

Second stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard, which takes you back to your starting point from the previous day via a different route: the Ray-Pic waterfall.After passing the summit of the Rouyon massif, descend towards the Besorgues river and climb up the other side towards the Ardèche plateau, where broom gives way to wild blueberries.

A beautiful hike on the ridges of the Monts de Berg, offering some lovely views. A visit to the well-restored village is a must: cobbled streets with arcades connecting the façades, shops at the bottom of old houses, an old oven. In terms of nature, the town is built at the foot of a typical Mediterranean forest, which offers an astonishing spectacle as you walk through its plots, separated by clapas, lavender, almond trees, mulberry trees and olive trees.

A hilly walk through green oaks between Pradons and Lagorce. Beautiful views of the Ardèche cliffs on the final descent.

Walk in the Bois d'Ajude near Lagorce. The Gour de la Sompe is not well described in guidebooks and is not on a marked path, but the site is worth a visit for its green water and waterfall (when there is enough water). Beautiful view of the Ibie valley from the Pertus de Fabria.

Superb hike on the Cime de Rouyon and the Rocher de Faux-Fay. Splendid panorama on the sides of the Bésorgues valley where paths, paved slanting streets, terraces and pastures draw the Ardèche mountain landscape: exceptional and wild landscape, magnificent basalt rocks, streams, torrents, impetuous waterfalls.

An "airy" hike which will yield fine views over the Ardèche Cévennes, the Ardèche valley to the south and the Fontaulière valley to the north. The route follows some of the paths maintained for the "Giants' Causeway Trail" and overall is thus very practicable and without difficulty. A large part of the walk is waymarked white and yellow. Best done in May/June when the broom is in flower.

This beautiful and challenging hike will take you on a short journey to discover the passages invented by the locals to cross the basalt flows, take you to the old summer pastures of Fargebelle through steep chestnut groves, and as a bonus, show you the two magnificent bridges that span the Ardèche on either side of Thueyts.

A very beautiful hike starting from the hamlet of Les Salelles. You will first take a short tour of the hamlet to see the two bread ovens, then continue into the forest and pass by a lavender field. The return trip will be less shaded.

A short circuit that will take you along beautiful trails to discover an underground cave and beautiful beaches on the banks of the Ardèche with breathtaking views of the Ruoms gorge and the Cirque de Gens.

This medium-difficulty hike in the Ardèche mountains will take you to the Col de Reboul with a nice climb, some lovely shaded sections and a descent towards Reboul. You will cross several fords, meet some interesting people and enjoy some beautiful views.

Between Baume, Ardèche and Ligne, vast stretches of stony ground have been and are still partly cultivated, with olive trees now reigning supreme. The former silkworm farms have now been converted into homes but retain their old-world charm. Along the river, hanging gardens are still maintained and clearly visible on the banks on the sunny side of La Baume. The Ardèche and Chassezac rivers have created a vast plain where vineyards, fruit trees and gardens occupy the space.

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. :

A pleasant hike along the banks of the Ardèche river, sometimes with overhanging cliffs on a magnificent path, and sometimes skirting the riverbed. There's also a cave within easy reach.

This is a long hike that follows the Baume, first along the ledge on its left bank, then high up on its right bank (Falaise de Lunel). The final section, after point (21) , requires a lot of attention as the path entrances are often somewhat hidden, but after (23), the view is magnificent. From (12), you are in the middle of the heath and it can get very hot. I recommend setting off at dawn and taking plenty of drinks with you.

From Ruoms to Labeaume, the hike alternates between ancient villages and nature. This itinerary passes the Ardèche river, the heights of the Baume river gorge, the pretty village of Labeaume and the old town of Ruoms. Alternating between shady and sunny stretches. Several possibilities for swimming along the way.

This hike will take you through an enchanting forest above one of the region's large underground water networks, which can be seen in several places: in an underground cistern, at the bottom of a karstic cave, in the bed of an almost dry river, or at a resurgence. You will also see one of the most beautiful dolmen sites in southern Ardèche. Please note that the Aven du Reméjadou is extremely dangerous.

A short walk from Montpezat to the hamlets of Les Grisières and Le Villaret, passing through a chestnut grove - the only slight difficulty on the route - and the humpback bridge, for a family outing.

Thanks to its geographical location, on the border between the southern Ardèche and the Monts d'Ardèche, Montpezat-sous-Bauzon is an ideal place to discover the astonishing lay and religious heritage of the area, from the fertile valley to the wild, rocky pastures, with remarkable views of the mountains and the Fontaulière plain. As you return to the valley, a rose garden awaits you for a moment of olfactory and visual pleasure.

A very beautiful hike offering exceptional and magnificent panoramic views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, Dévoluy, Vercors, etc., and allowing you to alternate between varied basalt and agricultural landscapes. You will also pass by the site of an ancient tomb, which is well worth a visit.