At the heart of the Monts D’Ardèche Regional Natural Park, Laboule is the ideal starting point for a walk with a variety of contrasting atmospheres. At the summit of the Sentier des Granges trail there is an unparalleled panoramic view (Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux, Mont Bouquet, Mont Lozère...) a day’s walk across the third-highest summit of the Cévennes range (at 1,548 m) with its rocky mountains and luminous rivers.
Calculated time: 6h05[?] 
Distance : 13.93km
Vertical gain : 744m
Vertical drop : 741m
Highest point : 1402m
Lowest point : 667m 
Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Massif central 
Location : Laboule
(07110)
Starting point : N 44.587823° / E 4.165066° 
Start at the Laboule stopover gite next to the church. Head on through via the steps, to the right of the multi-purpose hall.
(1)Take the path 10 m ahead of the glass cube which heads up to the north-west of the village behind the houses above the car park, follow the mule track marked with yellow and white. Steady climb. After the second barn(follow the right bank), under the hazelnut trees. A new crossing point precedes two hairpin bends and a climb through an oak wooded area, (short, steep climb). narrow passage with a water source, then afterwards a new stream crossing, and then through and out of the beech woods into the gorse heathland.
A long walk across the hillside southwards which leads to the crest of the Pialade. The path follows hairpin turns through the gorse bushes and rejoins a poorly marked pass to the west of a beech wood(small pass). The sheep pen can be seen to the north.
The small track crosses the Anglanier stream. Along long hairpin bends, cross the Redonde plains through the gorse bushes to come out 140 m above the Ranc des Barres. When you arrive on the path, turn right at the crossroads to meet with a sheep enclosure and the GR route.
(5)Follow the path to the summit for 2.5 km (an excellent opportunity to eat lunch with a view over Mont Gerbier des Joncs the source of the River Loire.) Head in an easterly direction towards the Langoustines pass along the Tour du Tanargue GRP route, marked in red and yellow.
(6) At the Cros de L’Aygues, 400 m before the Langoustines pass, head downhill along the southbound DFCI (forest fire prevention pathways) on your right for 5 km which takes a natural approach to Laboule. (Enjoy the magnificent view and take the opportunity to take photos of: Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Cham du Cros, Basse Ardèche, the valleys of Cévennes, Mont Lozère... )
Depending on the amount of rain before your visit, the pebbles on the path may be loose in places.
(7)For braver walkers and those who love steep climbs, at the Langoustines pass, a short extra loop is an option: The tower of Mont Aigu (1 hour 15 minutes) is a beautiful walk before heading back down to Laboule.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 667m
1 : km 2.24 - alt. 938m - Change river bank
2 : km 2.73 - alt. 1048m - Short, hard climb to the right
3 : km 3.98 - alt. 1287m - Small pass
4 : km 5.37 - alt. 1389m - Path joins back with the GR route
5 : km 8.83 - alt. 1263m - Langoustines pass
6 : km 13.56 - alt. 694m
D/A : km 13.93 - alt. 670m
Water available at the ascent.
Be careful when fording during floods.
It is not advisable to walk this route during storms, snow or fog.
Shelter (hunters') half-way down the hill on the descent.
Bring good hillwalking shoes and an IGN map of the area.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
An amazing diversity of vistas all along the walk: views over Mont Gerbier des Joncs, Vercors, and in fair weather even Mont-Blanc, and on the way back down, Mont Ventoux, Cham du Cros, lower Ardèche, Mont Bouquet, and Mont Lozère...
Visit the village of Laboule and its numerous artists and artisans.
Farm produce including local preserves (chestnut, raspberry) at the stopover gite next to the church.
13.62km
+1045m
-1046m
6h55
Difficult
Starting point in Mayres - 07 - Ardèche You are at the heart of the Ardèche. View of the Cevennes and the Gerbier de Jonc.
14.21km
+610m
-610m
5h50
Average
Starting point in Thueyts - 07 - Ardèche 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.
9.49km
+134m
-145m
3h05
Average
Starting point in Balazuc - 07 - Ardèche 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.
9.16km
+163m
-156m
3h05
Average
Starting point in Les Vans - 07 - Ardèche Explore a particularly interesting woods above the town of Vans.
10.58km
+306m
-304m
3h55
Average
Starting point in Pradons - 07 - Ardèche A hilly walk through green oaks between Pradons and Lagorce. Beautiful views of the Ardèche cliffs on the final descent.
7.26km
+237m
-237m
2h45
Extreme
Starting point in Salavas - 07 - Ardèche From the banks of Ardèche, to the balconies of Salavas, but fairly challenging in the bed of Rieussec. There are stringing points.
ATTENTION: Some sections can quickly become very dangerous for hikers who are ill-equipped or not trained for this kind of more technical hike. Therefore, please take care.
10.83km
+362m
-358m
4h10
Average
Starting point in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - 07 - Ardèche A walk amid holm oaks along the capricious Ibie river, whose water doesn’t always flow overground.
14.49km
+490m
-481m
5h30
Average
Starting point in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - 07 - Ardèche Between Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Remèze, this hike should be done mid-season before it become too difficult to park in "gorges de l'Ardèche" after Pont-d'Arc.The walk offers beautiful view points over the Ardèche and Tiourre valleys, the Saint-Remèze plateau then Pont-d'Arc on the trip back.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
