Saint-Montan walks

A splendid medieval village, a hermit and his cave, a valley in the limestone hills and the views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Ventoux. Prepare yourself for a nice, family-friendly hike, which will suit everyone.

Patiently restored since the 1970s, the village of Saint-Montan is a gem of rural architecture set in austere surroundings. The medieval castle overlooking the village is the highlight of this visit.

Larnas is situated on the eastern edge of the Saint-Remèze plateau, at an altitude of 300 m. The village is crossed by the River Nègue and is overlooked by the Dent de Rez (719 m).

Discover a wild and peaceful valley that contrasts with the festive atmosphere of the huge leisure area of the adjacent campsite. Descend via a small, damp path along the stream, then climb back up a very stony but well-shaded path. Not recommended for young children due to the rocky terrain.

This walk takes you up to the heights of Saint-Thomé with a beautiful view of the valley.

Here, there are no spectacular 360° panoramic views, but a very pleasant walk through the Bois de Laoul forest along wide, easy tracks as well as lovely, shaded, winding paths.The route takes you past ravines, a magnificent and wild balcony path overlooking the Gorges du Rimouren with its superb cliffs, and a mule track, with some beautiful views of the Rhône valley from Serre-Court.A walk best suited to winter. Please note: This walk passes through a sensitive wildlife area; please keep a low profile and follow the signs along the trail.

A lovely route through woodland for the most part. You can start by crossing the Pont de Sardagne via a path running alongside a small ravine, to the right of which you’ll find a few small, typical stone houses, recently restored by a local association. You’ll follow sections ofthe GR®42andPR®. This path will take you to the well-known Chapelle de Chalon, built 800 years ago. A few young couples who love nature and heritage still get married there on fine days. The return route takes you through the Combe des Acacias, passing at the foot of the magnificent Banc des Novis. Much of the route follows a (dry) stream with beautiful limestone paving.

A hike, mostly through woodland, on lovely paths. During the section heading south, there are lovely views over the Rhône Valley and Mont Ventoux. No particular difficulty, suitable for all. A short stretch of tarmac to reach the woodland.

A circular walk, alternating between tarmac and forest tracks.You’ll be able to explore two magnificent drystone shelters that have been beautifully restored.The nature trail takes you right up to the beautiful stone-paved section of the Sardagne stream.

Discover the beautiful village of Rimouren and its picturesque stream, La Conche. You will first walk along the wide and enchanting La Conche stream, dotted with beautiful ponds. A mule track takes you along the bottom of a small cliff to the Bois du Laoul plateau. The hike continues along a forest track, then small paths to form a circular loop and return to the village via the path along the stream. The village then appears before you, above the twisting Conche.An easy hike, accessible to all.

The high point of Basse-Ardèche, this promontory (719 m) offers a beautiful panorama of the Cévennes, Mont Lozère, the Alps, the Baronnies, Mont Ventoux and the Ridge of Montmirail.

An easy walk around Gras. Lavender fields, vineyards and heath. Beautiful scenery and remarkable views. Best done during the lavender bloom, but avoid the hottest part of the day as there is no shade.

Built on a rocky outcrop, occupying a strategic position at the confluence of the Escoutay, Dardaillon and Nègue rivers, this village will charm you with its winding alleyways and old houses.

The most iconic site in the Bois du Laoul remains the Chapel of Chalon, famous for the pilgrimage to the Virgin of Chalon, which still takes place on 8 September in the heart of the pleasant clearing. As you admire this enchanting Romanesque church, built in the 12th century, you’ll notice numerous carved and engraved stones.This walk will take you through a small section of this woodland along tracks and narrow paths that are in good condition. You won’t encounter too many stones, as the surfaces are mainly earth and gravel.Along the way, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of Mont Ventoux.

The view from the summit of the Dent de Rez is one of the must-see sights in the southern Ardèche. This hike, which is shorter and easier than the classic route, can be completed in half a day.

Viviers, capital of the Vivarais region in Ardèche, located on the banks of the Rhône, has a beautiful architectural heritage. I suggest a walk to discover the historic centre and the port.

A long and beautiful hike through vineyards, then along the ridges of the Berg forest, offering stunning panoramic views of the Dent de Rez, the Dentelles de Montmirail, Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies, the Vercors, the Montagne Ardéchoise, and more. There are also beautiful views of the villages of Alba, Saint-Andéol de Berg, Saint-Thomé, and the Rhône Valley. To the north is the Coiron plateau with the Tour de Mirabel and Neck de Sceautres.

Landscapes where vineyards and lavender fields intermingle punctuate this pleasant route, which is circular and covers the Dardaillon valley.

After this pleasant walk, you can finish with a tour of the village by following the signs within it. Near the wash house, on the grassy verge, there is a sign summarising the points of interest.

Behind the Dent de Rez, in Ardèche, lies a maze of valleys and hills stretching to the Ibie valley. Now practically deserted, the area was inhabited and cultivated until the early 20th century. I invite you to discover the ruined farms of Chambonnet, the ruined hamlet of Pallières and its spring, and above all the hundreds of terraces built on the hillside to make the land cultivable.

A circular route, often through woodland, along paths and small roads, between the villages of Malataverne and Donzère. Walkers will discover the remains of the ponds that adorned the Domaine de Belle Eau in the 19th century. A short climb takes you to the summit of the Navon, where you can admire a superb panorama of the Rhône valley.

Ascent to the highest peak of the Plateau des Gras, which, in good weather, offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama of the Upper Ardèche, the Cévennes, the Vercors and Provence. A hike with no major difficulties, though take particular care at the summit due to the presence of cliffs, which are not very high but dangerous nonetheless. Be sure to follow the route in the direction indicated to enjoy the ‘wow’ factor when you reach the summit.

The hike takes place on tracks and single tracks in the undergrowth and sometimes on beautiful paved paths, sheltered from the wind as it is exposed on the southern slope of Bois Redon. The route is mostly shaded and passes through mainly oak forests.

This path, much less travelled than the classic route, allows you to bypass the massif to the north with magnificent views of the Ardèche mountains and the immense wild forest, which is aptly named because it is very, very wild... It is also the most accessible route for vehicles to reach the summit, but it is of course prohibited to vehicles and reserved for site management personnel; barriers prevent vehicles from crossing.

This family-friendly route takes you along the Rhône islands: a preserved natural landscape rich in biodiversity! You can adjust the length of the walk to suit your mood.

Head for the heights of the village of Châteauneuf-du-Rhône and the ruins of its medieval past before reaching Navon, the peak marking the boundary between Malataverne and Châteauneuf-du-Rhône: a strategic and sensational location!

An easy walk along small roads, exploring the lavender fields and vineyards against the backdrop of the Dent de Rez.

Lavender and vine crops. Heaths and dry stone walls. Ruins of a former German military camp. An extremely easy walk, with no elevation gain, on good paths and small roads with no traffic.

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.