Saint-Pons (Ardèche) walks

This route runs along the foothills of the Coiron massif on paths that are not marked on IGN maps but nevertheless exist, with very improbable markings. The path runs alongside the beautiful basalt columns or Orgues de Bauzon parallel to the Chaix stream, then climbs back up to the plateau where the panoramic views are superb. The descent via a rocky ridge leads to Roche Chérie: a remnant of the massif's significant volcanic past. A small chapel is built against the neck.

This route runs along the foothills of the Coiron massif on existing but not very obvious paths. Follow the yellow markings carefully. The route passes through some beautiful basalt columns, crosses the plateau with its superb panoramic views, then descends via a rocky ridge to Roche Chérie: a remnant of the massif's significant volcanic past. A small chapel is built against the neck.

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.

From the ancient city to the largest basalt neck in Europe, this beautiful hike takes you along a route with varied terrain: limestone plains, petrified lava blocks and the volcanic plateau of the Coiron Massif. The Sceautres neck, the jewel of the Coiron, is a basalt plug resulting from an eruption 8 million years ago. Cleared by erosion, it rises 150 metres above the valley.

This hike will take you back in time as you pass by the Croix de Saint-Philippe, the Col de l'Épine and Mont Juliau, offering magnificent views along the way. Please note that you will be crossing parks with livestock. Be sure to close the gates behind you.

This lovely hike offers magnificent viewpoints over the Montmirail Dentelles, Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies, the Vercors, the Montagne Ardéchoise, the Coiron, the Necks of Sceautres, of Roche Chérie, of Roche, and a 360° panoramic view from the summit of Croix Juliau. The superb medieval hamlet of Roche is well worth the detour.

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.

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 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.

An easy walk to an oppidum with spectacular views over Aubenas and back with equally spectacular views of the Louyre canyon, the promontory of Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron and the Mirabel tower. Variations to the route are suggested, shortening or lengthening the walk.

A long but very beautiful hike offering varied landscapes and superb panoramic views. This route follows paths and tracks leading from greenhouses to gorges, with small fords and abundant little streams to cross. Please note, however, that some sections of the circuit are unmarked and require a good knowledge of map reading and orientation.

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.

Lovely view of the 11th and 12th century medieval castle of Rochemaure. Passage via the Himalayan footbridge over the Rhône. Beautiful 360° view at Pic de Chenavari, over the Vercors mountains, the Rhône valley and the Coiron plateau.

With its wild and exotic appearance, the Louyre Canyon is a classic destination for all hikers in the region. This circuit takes you from one end to the other, then back up the top with beautiful views. As a bonus, since this year, you can once again see traces of beaver activity. The climb up the canyon is not very easy, and in one or two places you have to use your hands, but it is quite doable, even with children.

An easier variant of the "Louyre Canyon via the Dolmen de l'Houlme" hike, allowing you to discover this magnificent little wild spot without venturing into the canyon (reserved for experienced hikers or connoisseurs). Discover the ancient structures around a stream that had a greater and more regular flow in the last century, and enjoy beautiful views of the canyon.

A hike to the end of the world (although close to the city) where you will hardly meet anyone. You will feel like you are at the end of the world as you descend to the bottom of a canyon, part of which you will hike along its most interesting length. A feeling of adventure and action, Indiana Jones is not far away.

Although the highest point is not very high, this hike, mostly along ridges, offers beautiful views of the Ardèche and the Aubenas region.

Hike through varied environments, bare hills, wooded valley bottoms and ridge trails with beautiful views. The hamlet of Louyre, which was deserted in the middle of the last century, is once again inhabited and very much alive.

An easy hike in the hills above Vesseaux, where you will discover a few hamlets. Beautiful views of the mountains and surrounding villages. The route passes through beautiful chestnut groves and cherry orchards. Best seen in autumn when the chestnut trees change colour or in spring when the cherry trees are in bloom.

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.

This walk takes place almost entirely on the Plateau des Gras, a limestone plateau pierced by karstic caves, rather arid on the western side and more wooded on the eastern side. It will also give you an original view of the village of Vogüé, an old quarry whose stones were exported as far as Paris and, if you look carefully, the remains of dolmens.

An easy walk around the Luol River with beautiful panoramic views, passing through typical hamlets and the beautiful church of Saint-Julien-du-Serre.After the Houme signpost, the end of the route is very pleasantly original, taking a shaded path lined with box trees to the Croix des Lépreux and then walking between canals and the Ardèche river.

A magnificent circular walk from Alissas with a detour to the Gournier waterfall and a view of the Château de Rochessauve.

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

Hike starting from the village of Vogüé through typical "gras" landscapes. Beautiful views of the village, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, and the Aubenas plain.

This history-rich circuit starts at the foot of the old village of Rochecolombe, which you will discover on your return, before reaching Sauveplantade and its Romanesque church and continuing along a section of the Royal Road that linked Villeneuve-de-Berg to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.

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.

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.

From Vogüé, the old railway line, converted into a greenway, leads to the hamlet of Les Louanes, south of Balazuc. A flat route in the Ardèche: a rarity! The climb back up to Balazuc takes you along the Coste-Labaume corniche. See the description in the practical information section. The return journey is along the right bank of the Ardèche, passing through the medieval village of Lanas.

This is an easy hike, allowing you to discover the route of an old railway line in the landscapes of southern Ardèche on the way there, and the banks of the Ardèche in a very rural environment on the way back. On the way, you can linger in the narrow streets of the old village of Lanas, with its almost medieval atmosphere. Those who dislike tarmac can avoid this very family-friendly hike, which is well suited to people who find it difficult to walk on uneven and hilly terrain.

This is a short, easy hike with a wide variety of landscapes: meadows at the bottom of the Oize valley, more austere wooded slopes of the Sandron valley, pine forests and sandstone rocks towards Champestève or Fromenteyrol.

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.

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.

Starting from Lanas, after crossing the Ardèche, the route of the old railway line to Saint-Maurice-d'Ardèche leads to the old Balazuc station. After climbing up to the village and crossing the bridge, the return journey follows the much wilder path along the river banks.

This is a lovely route that takes you from the village of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne to Saint-Étienne-de-Boulogne via the fortified castle of Boulogne. The ruins, listed as a Historic Monument, date from the 11th century.

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.

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!

This walk consists of two short circular loops connected by a short return trip. It takes you through a relatively unknown area of central Ardèche where the agricultural footprint is still clearly visible. You will pass from slopes to ridges and valleys following the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges. You will enjoy the wide views and landscapes. At the northernmost point, you will stop at an ancient mill dating back several centuries, known as "Le Moulin de Raoul" (see below).

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)

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.

Leaving from the centre of the small village of Lagorce (Ardèche), we set off along the usual roads to the entrance to Vallon Pont d'Arc. The return journey is a pleasant one, through the countryside of the Ardèche, on a small road with no (or almost no) vehicles, along farm tracks, stony or slightly rocky, to arrive on the other side of the village.

From Lagorce, the route climbs to the Notre-Dame d'Ajude chapel, through holm oak woods to the Ibie cliffs, past the Gour de la Sompe (waterfall and plunge pool), and returns to the village through more open farmland. This hike requires a good awareness of the environment, reading IGN maps and/or GPS indications.