Saint-Martial walks

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.

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).

Walk along paths or small roads offering numerous viewpoints over the steep-sided Azette valley at the start of the route, then over the less wild Saliouse valley, with a beautiful view of the Cirque des Boutières at the end of the route.

Short, easy route around the drystone shelter, with a beautiful view of the Gouleyou, an ancient lava plug, and a visit to the Chier de Borée site, an arrangement of raised and engraved stones, which is a contemporary work of art.

A free hike allowing you to discover the different sources of the Loire: "the authentic", "the true" and "the geographical". After climbing Mont Gerbier des Joncs, enjoy the 3km of this easy route.

This trail goes around and climbs up the Gerbier de Jonc whose summit offers a view over the Ardèche mountains.

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

Located between Mont Gerbier de Jonc and Mont Mézenc, the Suc de Sara rises to 1,521 metres. The ascent via the south face and then the east ridge leads to the summit, which offers a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding knolls and valleys as far as the Vercors, Mont Ventoux and the Alps. During the ascent of the south face, the crossing of the scree slopes offers beautiful landscapes.

Between Gerbier de Jonc and Chartreuse de Bonnefoy, the Ardèche plateau offers numerous stone-slab knolls. This circuit between Aigue Nègre and Veyradeyre passes by four of them and at the top of three. In order, these are Séponet (tower), Montfol (summit), Lauzière (summit) and Taupernas (summit). From each of them, there is a beautiful 360° view of Mont Mézenc to the north, the Tanargue massif to the south, Gerbier and Areilladou to the east, and Haute-Loire to the west.

Circular starting from the Croix de Boutières, passing by the peaks of Mont Mézenc and the strange machine called the Ventographe des Boutières.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 very pretty hike through mountains, moors and fords. Magnificent undergrowth dotted with beautiful shaded passages.

Discover Mont Mézenc and its two peaks and take a detour to admire the Cirque des Boutières.

Climb Mont Mézenc from the Croix de Peccata - car park.

The hike starts at the forest house car park and climbs through the powder snow of Mont Mézenc. From the summit, your efforts are rewarded with a magnificent view of the village of Les Estables below and Mont Alambre. And even the Alps, if the weather is clear.

This tour of Mont Mézenc allows you to admire the landscape stretching far in all directions: the Massif Central, the Ardèche, the Alps, the Pilat Massif... It is possible to climb Mont Mézenc during the circuit. The hike offers the best possible view of the beautiful Boutières cirque. The circuit also includes a return trip through the village of Chaudeyrolles and a tour of Mont Signon.

Starting from the charming village of Les Estables, this hike takes you on a tour and ascent of Mont d'Alambre (a ski resort in winter), with a 360° view of the surrounding peaks and a magnificent view of Mont Mézenc, the highest point in the region.

This geological trail allows you to discover an ancient small volcano, Mont Signon, which became a peat bog, then an ancient maar, or marshy crater, home to several peatlands. Numerous information panels from the Geopark help you understand these different volcanic formations.

Enjoy a beautiful hike on Mont Signon and its old singing slate quarry. Beautiful panoramic views of the Monts de Haute Loire.

A very beautiful family hike in the Monts du Mezenc in Haute-Loire. You can visit the village to round off the hike, as well as climb Mont Signon with its old slate quarry.

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.

This lovely loop allows us to discover a section of the watershed on the heights of Burzet, at an altitude of 1,300 metres, which is very pleasant in summer when the valley is stifling. Along the way, we will discover a peat bog with the ruins of an old glassworks and the remains of a Strombolian crater.