Vallon d'Ardennes and the Tower of Arras in Arras-sur-Rhône

Hike near the Rhône, to the north of Ardèche. You will be surprised to find areas that are this "wild" so close to the Rhône Valley (Ardennes). At the end, the view of the Rhône and the Arras tower is a definite plus.

Technical sheet

202728
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 418 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 416 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 407 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 130 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the the car park next to roundabout D86/D800 south of the village.

(S/F) Cross the national road and head into the village ahead. Cross it until you reach the other side, going back up to the north. Follow the main road, cross the bridge and continue to reach the Rue du Mas.

(1) Turn left and go up the street. At the end, against the hill, turn left again and go over the cemetery. Asphalt road becomes a path. Follow this easy and regular track that makes a hairpin right turn to head north and cross the Bachasse stream (2). Continue on to the paved road (Yellow PR markings).

(3) Then take the paved road to the left and follow it to the Cance Douc water tank (and coach stop). Same markings...

(4) Take a left to l’Impasse de Julia and immediately after, before the “Sans Issu” no entry sign with a yellow cross on it, take the track right through fields, in the direction of Ardennes (yellow and white PR markings and sign). Reach the Peyrard Cross.

(5) Return to the paved road few metres, turn right and continue slightly to the left, along a long trail which starts south-west, slightly downhill, across a huge glade (Yellow PR markings). The track has just been renewed (2016) by bulldozer. The route descends into the "lost" valley of the Ardennes.

(6) A house in the background. Then some interesting portraits... (try and find all 8...) Moving on past it, continue straight ahead. Cross the stream (2 to 5 m wide and 10 to 30 cm deep depending on the conditions). It may be necessary to take off shoes and go barefoot. There is a ford over rocks. Head upwards ahead through the woods, following the track. Head out of the wood and return to the tarmac at the intersection of Chemin de Pierre Blanche in Solignac (alt. 405 m).

(7) Continue down the road ahead as far as the houses of Pierre Blanche.

(8) Off the road, 50 m before its end in Solignac, head to the left on a trail. Cross the Serlan woods. At the Y-junction, turn left and head down to a small stream. Then walk through the vineyard horizontally. 150 m after the stream, take the small path on the left, with White and Yellow markings (do not continue down into the vines). Then look out for a cluster of cottages (old man-made terraces for crops).

(9) Cut across the asphalt road heading uphill. The path continues opposite. At the first intersection, continue down to the right on the White and Yellow marked path

(10) At the crossroads, take the path up to the left (follow the white and yellow markings). Small ascent. Continue along the balcony overlooking the Rhône (a nice view of the river and the dam of Arras) and, after one last descent, reach the Tower of Arras (ruins, no entry, explanatory signs in front at the terrace).

(11) From the tower there are two paths to reach the village: either path of hairpins passing behind the tower , or directly below (the one that is marked). Head down, arrive at La Montée de la Tour then turn right to lead the main street. Turn right again through the village and back to the car park (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 130 m - Car park next to the D86/D800 roundabout - Rhône (le)
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 139 m - Rue du Mas
  3. 2 : km 2.76 - alt. 267 m - Crossing the Ruisseau de Bachasse
  4. 3 : km 3.58 - alt. 327 m - Left towards Les Robins
  5. 4 : km 5.51 - alt. 386 m - Impasse de Julia / Water tank
  6. 5 : km 5.84 - alt. 381 m - Left on the tarmac
  7. 6 : km 7.11 - alt. 271 m - The Ardennes
  8. 7 : km 9 - alt. 406 m - Chemin de Pierre blanche in Solignac
  9. 8 : km 9.74 - alt. 364 m - Before Solignac
  10. 9 : km 10.89 - alt. 280 m - Road alt 280m
  11. 10 : km 11.4 - alt. 228 m - Crossroads alt 230m
  12. 11 : km 11.96 - alt. 198 m - The tower at Arras sur Rhône
  13. S/E : km 12.73 - alt. 130 m - Car park next to the D86/D800 roundabout

Practical information

Two rocky descents. Good shoes are recommended.

In the nearby area

- The portraits in the Ardennes.
- Arras tower.
- The Rhône and the dam of Arras.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 40 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Fandol
Fandol

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

As soon as you leave Arras, the pleasure is at its peak, thanks to a superb track that rises gently above the Rhone Valley. When the tarmac arrives, it's a long way to the Cance-Doux reservoir, but the descent to the Ardenne puts a smile on your face. At the end of the valley, the discovery of this house selling potted plants and... eggs.
We didn't see any portraits, but we did see a few small cairns by the side of the path.
Fortunately, crossing the stream is now easier thanks to a well-designed bridge.
To make the walk a little longer, we couldn't resist a detour to the nearby village of Sècheras.
The return to Arras still offers magnificent views, but the path is narrow and very stony. It's nothing like the start. However, the reward arrives: the medieval Tower of Arras! Although some restoration work has already been carried out, further investment is urgently needed to prevent this jewel from deteriorating any further.
In short, we had a great time!

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Jean-Paul KERENFORT
Jean-Paul KERENFORT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We did the hike with a group of 14 people in the opposite direction, to avoid making the descent from the tower on wet grass in this autumn. It's a beautiful hike with lots of views over the Rhône valley, but it's a shame there wasn't more sun. Be careful as the path gets rougher and rougher.
Thank you

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Evasun
Evasun

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The parking point indicated is a crossroads without a roundabout🙂 this doesn't pose a problem for parking, but if you look for the roundabout, it can be misleading😁.
Nothing to say about the walk, I loved the low passages near the streams, the little lost paths, the view (the Rhône was a bit turquoise that day🤩) and the Arras tower is very nice when you arrive from below at the end of the walk!
Thank you so much!

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delay jean louis
delay jean louis

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

An interesting hike, but beware of the many rockslides along the way due to the heavy rainfall this autumn.

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michel.dussere@gmail.com
michel.dussere@gmail.com

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Caution: following the oranges, the paths are gullied and the exposed rocks are slippery. Avoid this hike in wet weather; in hot weather, be sure to protect yourself on the south-facing slopes.
But there are some very fine viewpoints, and the streams to be crossed are equipped with footbridges.

Michel Dussere

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promenades
promenades

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We parked near the town hall car park. A pleasant walk with no particular difficulties except after the bad weather of the previous day. The footbridge over the River Ozon after the Ardennes is covered in branches, but it held up well and the barriers bent under the weight. To get across we had to remove some branches. Between point 8 and point 9 after the small stream there is a landslide, the passage has become very narrow and dangerous. Beautiful view of the Rhône.

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MICHEL PETIT
MICHEL PETIT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Quite an easy walk, especially the first two thirds, but a little technical at the end (narrow, stony path). The first part is very pleasant with many views over the Rhône valley. Then the descent to the Ardennes valley is very pleasant, as is the return to Arras.

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sblanquet
sblanquet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk with no particular difficulties.

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quevys
quevys

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The yellow and white markings are not always very visible, so I used the Visorando GPS guide to follow the correct route.
Nice sections in the vineyards and near the well-preserved Tour d'Arras.
Lots of tarmac sections that are very exposed to the sun.
Despite this, the views of the Rhône, the Ardèche mountains in the distance, the flora and the undergrowth are very pleasant.
No particular difficulties in terms of gradient or terrain (not very uneven).
A fairly straightforward and enjoyable hike in spite of everything.

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JANBER
JANBER
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Departure from the town hall car park (access via the north roundabout of the 86 is preferable).

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monierplantier
monierplantier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Done on 10 January with 26 walkers, who were lucky because the sun was out.
Magnificent panoramas, very pleasant trails through vineyards and undergrowth, following the rhythm of the water...
All in all, a very fine walk, with no difficulties; to be done again in October with the autumn colours. Thank you Pascal

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pallandre chantal
pallandre chantal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk with some fine viewpoints, finishing at the foot of the Arras tower.

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cathyferrer
cathyferrer

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Great group outing in spring-like weather.
Thanks to the author

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SEBFAU
SEBFAU

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This walk starts from Arras. You don't need to go as far as rue du Mas, just take the road that leads up to the church and the start of the walk is signposted. The yellow and white markings are fairly recent throughout the walk. At point 6, there is a brand new bridge to cross the stream. Otherwise a very nice walk with very little tarmac.

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Evisabelle2
Evisabelle2

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike, on an ideal day, neither too hot nor too cold. Beautiful alternation of magnificent views (Rhône, dam, villages, vineyards), forest, Mediterranean vegetation (cactus in flower!), cool little streams to ford, country paths and impressive heritage (Arras tower and ruins). We met NO ONE, so it was very pleasant. The walk was not at all difficult. We'll probably do it again in winter to see the contrast in vegetation.

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