Thueyts walks

This beautiful and challenging hike will take you on a short journey to discover the passages invented by the locals to cross the basalt flows, take you to the old summer pastures of Fargebelle through steep chestnut groves, and as a bonus, show you the two magnificent bridges that span the Ardèche on either side of Thueyts.

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.

The route passes through the ruined hamlet of Fargebelle and crosses the northern flank of the Ardèche via a track that offers panoramic views of the peaks overlooking the opposite bank. You will also discover the splendid sites of the Devil's Bridge and the magnificent paved slanting streets of the Queen's Ladder and the King's Ladder.

A circular route starting from Thueyts, leading to the Col de Fontfreyde, where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and returning to the starting point via the magnificent stone staircase known as the Queen's Ladder.

After a glimpse of the upper Ardèche valley, this hike enters one of the many small valleys of the complex terrain of the Ardèche Cévennes. Take care on the RN102 (be careful when walking alongside it and crossing it).

A short walk from Montpezat to the hamlets of Les Grisières and Le Villaret, passing through a chestnut grove - the only slight difficulty on the route - and the humpback bridge, for a family outing.

Thanks to its geographical location, on the border between the southern Ardèche and the Monts d'Ardèche, Montpezat-sous-Bauzon is an ideal place to discover the astonishing lay and religious heritage of the area, from the fertile valley to the wild, rocky pastures, with remarkable views of the mountains and the Fontaulière plain. As you return to the valley, a rose garden awaits you for a moment of olfactory and visual pleasure.

From Le Ranc to Aubignas, Aubignas to Le Libonès, and Le Libonès to Les Terrisses, there were once footpaths that were essential for life and trade between these hamlets. This hike offers the chance to rediscover these traces. You may have to search around a bit, either because the paths have been abandoned or because work has altered their course. The path between Cros du Libonès and Les Terrisses, long abandoned, is once again passable with a modified route.

Clinging to the slopes of the Bourges valley, on the gentlest of hillsides, the hamlets bear witness to a way of life that has vanished, traces of which remain in a landscape that is gradually closing in: beautiful buildings, meadows, fields and vineyards still tended, chestnut groves and blueberries. This is the heart of the Ardèche Hautes Cévennes.

The ancient Vestide du Pal volcano is what is known as a filled maar crater! Approximately 1,700 m in diameter and 150 m deep, it could be the largest maar crater in Europe. This route will take you along ancient Roman roads that connect the valley to the plateau, passing through various levels of vegetation. In addition to this first volcano, there are two others to discover along the way: Lac Ferrand (a maar filled with water) and Le Chambon, which is completely dry. A volcanic hike, then...

This easy walk allows you, over a short distance, to discover beautiful landscapes and places that bear witness to the former rural way of life in the Ardèche: hamlets, farms, meadows, chestnut groves, terraced vineyards and a mill.

This hike provides access to the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel via a less well-trodden route. It passes through several authentic hamlets and offers stunning views throughout the route.

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

A magnificent hike that will take you to the summit of Pic de Ladenne with a 360° view of Jaujac and its volcano, the Tanargue massif, the Thueyts valley, Pont de Labeaume, Sainte-Marguerite, Fabras...

A somewhat steep climb up an old paved slanting street, but once at the top, your efforts are rewarded with a superb view of the upper Ardèche valley at the Col de Fontfreyde, followed by a 360° view from the summit of the Rocher du Midi. After a beautiful stretch along the ridge, the less steep descent zigzags between the various hamlets of La Souche.

Starting from Jaujac, climb up to Pic de Ladenne and Rocher de Courcoussat and descend via a circular route to Pont de l'Echelette in Bonneval. Magnificent panoramic views of the ridge line.

Starting from Jaujac, there is a magnificent Roman bridge and impressive basalt columns on the banks of the Lignon. Tour via the Pont de l'Échelette, the Château de Rochemure (Maison du Parc Naturel Régional des Monts d'Ardèche) and finally climb the Coupe de Jaujac volcano with a tour of the crater.

Between Jaujac and La Souche, the Lignon valley is an open valley, dominated to the north by the Rocher du Midi and to the south by the Tanargue massif. The hike takes you along the left bank, where you can admire old buildings and walk along beautiful, pleasant paths dotted with old bridges crossing streams, then back along the right bank and a succession of old hamlets.

A beautiful, physically demanding trail through lovely forests and scree slopes, offering magnificent views of the Ardèche mountains from the ridge. See § practical information.