Saint-Genest-Lachamp walks

This route is dotted with varied landscapes and ends with superb panoramic views of all the surrounding mountains. This rock, less well known than Mont Mézenc or Gerbier de Jonc, nevertheless offers equally impressive views.

Starting from Marcols, after a climb through woods and sheep pastures, the ascent to the summit of the Don volcano (basalt neck with the ruins of a castle built in the 12th century and an orientation table) offers an exceptional panorama of the Monts d'Ardèche (Gerbier, Mézenc, Sara) and, on a clear day, the Alps (Mont Blanc, Oisans, etc.). There are two options for the return journey. The one described in the description: if you're allergic to tarmac, choose thesecond option (practical information).

A beautiful hike in the Ardèche, sometimes along ridges and sometimes under chestnut trees. The hamlets of Tauzuc and Serre de Tauzuc are worth seeing... Especially when a deer appears and then disappears, as shy as ever.

This hike on the Ardèche plateau is relatively flat and takes you to a summit with superb 360° views of the Massif Central and the Alps, and even Mont Blanc on a clear day. Please note: the route on the way there has been designed to showcase the beauty of the paths and landscapes. The paths are not marked and can sometimes be difficult to find. A good knowledge of the area and maps is necessary. The return via theGR® de Pays is easier and more direct.

The Champ de Mars is a superb viewpoint over the Ardèche mountains. Easy to access, it offers a 360° panoramic view with an orientation table allowing you to see all the surrounding mountains as far as the Vercors.

A beautiful half-day hike along a balcony path, which crosses ancient hamlets with panoramic views of the Eyrieux Valley. This route has been used for several years by the famous "Cheminote", a hike for the general public that connects Le Cheylard to Saint-Martin-de-Valamas. A hike proposed by the collective "Nos chemins ne sont pas à vendre" (Our paths are not for sale).

A hike proposed by the collective "Nos chemins ne sont pas à vendre" (Our paths are not for sale). A beautiful day-long hike along a south-facing balcony trail that passes through ancient hamlets with panoramic views of the Eyrieux Valley. This route has been used for several years by the famous "Cheminote", a popular hike that connects Le Cheylard to Saint-Martin-de-Valamas.

This is a beautiful hike through wild, unspoilt landscapes in the heart of the Ardéchoise mountains, with all their splendour and curiosities. The flora and fauna are rich and diverse, with some rare protected species. On a clear day, the summit of Montivernoux offers an exceptional panorama of the Cévennes, the Monts Lozère, the Tanargue, the knolls of the Ardèche plateau, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Mézenc, Montfol, Mont Ventoux, the Alps and Mont Blanc.

This walk takes in forests of chestnut, oak, beech and pine trees, two volcanoes, three types of lava, three typical hamlets and a 360° view of all the Boutières (at least twenty volcanoes in sight). 24/10/2023: Hike modified to avoid the Oppidum de la Farre, which is private property, classified as a historical monument and closed to the public (see practical information).

Shaded route between the banks of the Auzène and the hamlet of Intre. From the Fontettes ridges, there is a beautiful view of the Ardèche mountains, the Rocher d'Ajoux, the Volcan des Chirouzes and the Roc de Gourdon.

On the ridges of the Ardèche mountains in a sumptuous setting, this walk is also geological. On the programme: granite piles over ten metres high, five superimposed basalt flows and a view of some of the most famous volcanoes in France: Mont Gerbier-de-Jonc and Mézenc. A change of scenery guaranteed.

The Serre de Lès offers a magnificent 360° panorama. The Alps, from Mont Ventoux to Mont Blanc, the Boutières, the Ardèche mountains and plateau, Rocher d'Abraham, the volcanic rock of Ajoux, the Chirouzes volcano, and the basalt flow of the hamlet of Chier.

This hike starts off gently at the bottom of the valley, following an old railway line. It then climbs up to a rocky outcrop where the ruins of Rochebonne Castle stand proudly. And as if the ruins of this castle weren't enough, all the great peaks of the Ardèche (Mézenc, Gerbier des Joncs) are visible throughout the hike.

Beautiful climb up knoll d'Ourseyres via Col du Pranlet.

Chalencon is a charming medieval village offering hikers exceptional views of the Eyrieux Valley. Located on the south side, the village is made up of granite streets and houses.

A lovely hike along the ridges overlooking the Orsanne River. Numerous panoramic views, notably of Pic Lafont and the ruined feudal castle of Montagut (Mont Aigu), offering views of four valleys: Eyrieux, Glueyre, Orsanne and Auzène.

This route offers a beautiful sample of the landscapes of the high Ardèche valleys that radiate towards Le Cheylard. The environments are very varied: broom heaths on the southern slopes, forests of chestnut, conifer and beech trees depending on the orientation, and grassy meadows on the ridges. There are numerous signs of volcanic activity, such as the Rocher de Soutron and the Échamps maar.

"Champ" is a deformation of "Cham": a rocky, bare plateau. From this plateau, the Monts d'Ardèche appear as if shaped by geological forces, at the centre of a gigantic amphitheatre formed by the Cévennes, the volcanoes of Auvergne, the Vercors and the Alps. Monumental landmarks in the history of the Earth. A grandiose scene where the presence of man seems very discreet, yet his mark is clearly there, engraved in the landscape. Wild valleys with crystal-clear waters.

A lovely route at the foot of the Ardèche mountains with views of the Alps.

A hike with beautiful views, passing through chestnut forests and overlooking the Rocher d'Ajoux. Well marked.

The hike is located on volcanic terrain, allowing you to approach the Rocher d'Ajoux, which is part of a lava flow. On the last section of the circular route, we follow a ridge line with panoramic views of the Alps.

A beautiful and varied hike in the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park. The superb site of the Rocher d'Ajoux.

A beautiful hike in a very wild environment. The Roc de Gourdon, with its ship's bow-like relief, a remnant of intense volcanic activity, is a superb promontory offering a 360° panorama of the Boutières, the Cévennes and the Bas-Vivarais. Moderator's note added on 09/06/2021: Roc de Gourdon is no longer accessible (electrified fence)

A very pleasant route through the Ardèche forest and its peaceful little hamlets. The omnipresent calm allows you to recharge your batteries and become one with nature.

The start of the route is flat on the Dolce Via, then climbs up paths and tracks through old terraced farms above the Eyrieux Valley. On the way, there is a short tarmac detour to the Belvédère de l'Eyrieux to enjoy the superb view. After passing two well-restored hamlets, a pleasant descent takes you to a beautiful little waterfall before returning to Moulinon.

This pleasant hike along picturesque and varied trails offers superb views of the beautiful and wild Eyrieux Valley. The first part follows theGR®427.

The first stage of this two-day loop around the Rocher de Cheylard takes you from the edge of the Ray-Pic waterfall to Aizac, a small village in the Cévennes Ardéchoises, perched on a pass between Volane and Besorgues. Beech forests, broom-covered moors, chestnut trees, Roman roads, crystal-clear streams, passes with breathtaking views... you will walk from the Ardèche plateau to the lower Ardèche.

Two-day loop in the Cévennes Ardéchoises. The Besorgues and Bourges are two Cévennes rivers, or rather torrents, with crystal-clear waters.Between the two, a short walk from the famous Ray-Pic waterfall, the Rocher de Cheylard (1,412 m) offers a natural viewpoint over the surrounding landscape.On this two-day hike, you will discover these rugged landscapes, deep valleys, the edges of the Ardèche plateau, and small hamlets and villages nestled in the countryside.

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.

This is a fairly short climb that takes you to a summit offering a superb 360° panorama of the Ardèche mountains and the Alps. It is a simple round trip, most of which follows ridge paths with magnificent views. On the way back, take the time to visit the Ray-Pic waterfall.

A beautiful route offering magnificent panoramic views of the Coiron, the Ouvèze and Mézayon valleys, Baronnies and Vercors. An interesting discovery of the site of the former Priory of Charray.

A lovely, easy hike that will allow you to discover Pranles' three remarkable sites (in season): the Moulin de Mandy, the Romanesque church and the Protestant Museum. It can be done with children aged around ten, provided they are fit enough to cover the distance. There are also beautiful views of the knolls and volcanoes and, further away, the Alps (in good weather).

A very beautiful walk among chestnut trees and meadows in the heart of the Vernoux region.

A very beautiful hike in volcanic Ardèche: magnificent scenery, rocky peaks, scree, clapas. The lava flow at Antraigues, from the young Aizac volcano (approximately 80,000 years old), invaded the Mas, Bise and Volane valleys due to the steepness of the terrain, leaving numerous traces of this eruptive period. The promontory on which the village is built, with its variety of colours and shapes, is surprising.

You will discover a magnificent view of the Hautes Cévennes Ardéchoises and the land of young volcanoes. The Château de Craux is located in the commune of Genestelle, at an altitude of around 650 m. It is built on the crater of the volcano (neck). It stands in the middle of vast meadows, surrounded by a superb chestnut grove, and overlooks the Volane and Sandron valleys. 6/10/2023 Moderator's message: at point (4) hike modified because the educational trail around the neck plateau has been closed.

This is a short hike, but it will give you a magnificent view of the Coiron plateau and the entire Alpine range, from Ventoux to Mont Blanc on a clear day.

This hike offers a beautiful introduction to the Boutières region, with its rugged terrain, rivers, diverse landscapes and views. It alternates between moorland, meadows and forests of beech and coniferous trees, ending on the Dolce Via, which allows you to pick up the pace after the numerous ascents and descents.

Starting from Pierre Plantée, this beautiful route offers magnificent panoramic views of Coiron, the Ouvèze and Mézayon valleys, Baronnies and Vercors. An interesting discovery is the site of the former Priory of Charray. Please note that some sections of the balcony trail may be uncomfortable for those prone to vertigo.

This south-facing route offers beautiful views of the Tanargue to Mont Lozère via the Aubenas basin. It is also a geological discovery trail with information signs placed at regular intervals. After Gourdon, at the top of the tarmac road, the Alps stand out on the horizon. Climbing up to the summit platform of Roc de Gourdon is not accessible to everyone, but the 360° view is remarkable.

At a height of 808m, the Aizac Volcano is of the Strombolian type: eruption, explosion, lava flows. It towers over the village from its height of 80,000 years. The basalt flow resulting from its activity has a remarkable prismatic structure, which can be seen in particular near Antraigues-sur-Volane. This is an easy, themed walk that is suitable for families and will interest children: information panels are placed along the route to educate young and old alike.

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.

The Besorgues is one of many rivers, not to say "torrents" during Cévennes phenomena, which rises on the edge of the Ardèche plateau, then flows southwards down the steep slopes of the Ardèche Cévennes, ending its course in the Ardèche. Halfway along its course, north of Freyssenet (a small hamlet of Labastide/Besorgues), lies a little treasure, hidden away in the middle of unspoilt nature: secret swimming spots in a heavenly setting.

A beautiful walk through the chestnut groves on both the Volane and Besorgues sides. On the upper part, around the Cime de Rouyon, there is an unobstructed view of the Ardèche plateau to the north and west, and to the east and south, the Coiron, the Alps, the Cévennes and the Tanargue.

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.

This magnificent hike in Vivarais Cévenol follows trails and ridge paths offering beautiful views. The Bésorgues river, blocked by basalt flows, has shaped some remarkable sites. The ancient lava lake of Ranc Ranier and the prismatic neck of the Cheylard rock, from which you can enjoy a vast and exceptional 360° panorama, are geological curiosities not to be missed.

Walk on the southern slope of Desaignes, between woods and scenic paths. This route allows you to see the village of Desaignes from several different angles while gaining a little height. The Chemin des Conchis is a beautiful place to gallop. The route passes through several hamlets and farms with dogs that may be running free.

This circuit offers a tour opposite the village of Desaignes, then heads into the Bel-Air woods before climbing up to the heights of Labatie. The route allows you to stop at the Labatie lake, which is not really on the route. You will pass along wooded ridge paths and more panoramic tracks.

This walk on the Jameysse hillside, starting from the football stadium, is ideal for summer because much of the walk is in the shade of the woods on wide paths. The only technical points on the walk are crossing the main road, where there is heavy traffic, and passing in front of the sawmill, where there can be a lot of vehicle and lorry activity. The time indicated can be shortened depending on your pace.

Superb trails and landscapes. Between Burzet and Les Sausses, on the left bank, the old Lachamp-Raphaël road is one of the most beautiful paved slanting streets in the Ardèche. On the right bank, on the way back, the old peatland road also has a wide, well-preserved paved slanting street under the chestnut trees and leads to the Roman road.

Hike with varied landscapes, the Bourges valley with its basalt flows, chestnut woods and blueberry fields, hamlets with old houses. Superb view from the summit.

Walk along the banks and heights of the Bourges River, which is well exposed to the south and offers beautiful panoramic views.

Discover the Gouffre de la Monette and its waterfall via the marsh route. This is a mysterious place to be enjoyed in peace and quiet, so choose a time when it is not too busy.