Vogüé - Serre Bastel - Les Chazes

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

Details

401180
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 203 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 201 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 329 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 162 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the car park next to the cemetery.

(S/E) Take the steps at the end of the car park, join the Allée du Château and turn right.

(1) At the Info Rando map, turn left onto the Chemin de la Gleyzette towards the Chapelle Saint-Cerice. About 150m further on, at the "Vogüé" sign, take the hairpin bend to the left, following the signs for Lavilledieu.

(2) At the top of the hill, leave the white-and-yellow markings that continue to the right and take the path on the left, but not the path that branches off at a 90° angle to the left. Then leave a path that branches off to the left behind you, followed by two more on the right. The path continues northwards along the hillside with a beautiful view of the Ardèche.

(3) At the highest point of Serre Bastel, leave two paths on the left in succession. The path then gradually turns south.

(4) At the first crossroads, take the path on the right and climb the hill on the left bank of the Fontenouille stream.

(5) At the top of the hill, continue straight ahead and descend on the other side. You will arrive at a crossroads.

(6) Continue straight ahead on a wider path. After about 100 metres, you will come to the white and yellow signposted path coming from the right. Continue straight ahead.

(7) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. The Baume du Bois karstic cave is a little further on, on the right-hand side of the path.

(8) About a hundred metres after the karstic cave, leave the signposted route and take the first path on the right.

(9) After passing a field on the right with a small pond, leave a path not shown on the map on your left and continue to the right. About 100 metres further on, at the crossroads, take a path on the left that descends towards an old quarry. Continue, turning right twice to reach the hamlet of Les Chazes.

(10) From Les Chazes, two white and yellow signposted routes lead to Vogüé: take the second one, the Sentier des Gras, which heads due west (do not take the first one, the Chemin du Curé Chaze, which heads north-west). At the crossroads about 500 metres further on, keep left and then turn right at the next fork. Follow the signs that lead straight to the Chemin de Saint-Cerice and continue straight ahead (west).

(11) When you reach the Fontenouille stream, the signposted path turns left and passes a white barrier. Leave the signposts, go straight ahead over the small bridge and enter the old quarry, following the information signs. When you reach the ridge (beautiful view of Vogüé), find a signposted path that leads back to the Saint-Cerice Chapel (la Gleyzette). Then turn right and follow the Chemin de la Gleyzette down to the Allée du Château.

(1) Turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 162 m - Parking next to the cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 164 m - Turn left onto Chemin de la Gleyzette, then left again
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 240 m - Leave the signposts on your left
  4. 3 : km 3.69 - alt. 327 m - Serre Bastel, straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 4.55 - alt. 300 m - At the crossroads, take the path on the right
  6. 5 : km 5.49 - alt. 320 m - Continue straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 6.13 - alt. 277 m - At the crossroads, continue straight ahead
  8. 7 : km 6.98 - alt. 247 m - La Baume du Bois, straight ahead
  9. 8 : km 7.16 - alt. 240 m - Leave the trail markers on the right
  10. 9 : km 7.54 - alt. 234 m - Turn right, then left
  11. 10 : km 8.47 - alt. 200 m - Sentier des Gras, on the right
  12. 11 : km 10.03 - alt. 213 m - Carrière Giraud, straight ahead
  13. S/E : km 10.62 - alt. 162 m - Parking next to the cemetery

Notes

Start from the car park next to the cemetery.
There are few trees on the plateau, so bring sun protection.

Variation: At point (3), you can take the path on the left, descend the ridge of Serre de la Tour and climb back up through the valley along the Tour stream. See the hike "La Tour de Ville and the Dolmens of Serre Bastel" for a description.

Worth a visit

At the start or finish, allow time to visit the village of Vogüé, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Before point (3), the path runs along the ridge of Serre Bastel, where a dozen dolmens have been recorded. See more details in the description of the hike "La Tour de Ville and the Dolmens of Serre Bastel".

About fifty metres after the point (4), you can see a small karstic cave on the right of the path.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 35 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 27458849

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

first solo hike, very pleasant, alternating between paths under trees and open terrain. Slight difficulty after the quarry, may be slippery if it has rained recently

Machine-translated

Gilou22
Gilou22

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery

Machine-translated

chevuax4
chevuax4

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet route at this time of year despite a long weekend (8 May + Ascension Day) and good weather.

A pleasant, easy route

Machine-translated

georgette
georgette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

This hike above Vogüe is very pleasant with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. However, there appears to have been a fire last summer and more than half of the route (the first part) passes through a plain of charred trees... Don't miss a visit to the quarry at the end of the route before heading back down to the starting point.

Machine-translated

ANNELISE59
ANNELISE59
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike that's well worth the detour. Very accessible, pleasant and easy to follow, beautiful views, a distance that makes it suitable for average hikers and beginners, with little elevation gain. I did it at the end of February on a sunny day and didn't see anyone else. The path consists of wide grassy tracks, so it's easy to follow most of the way. Towards the end, you have to find the path on the far right when you reach the hamlet. I just followed the GPS markings. I did it in 4 hours at a very average pace at the start of the season. I recommend it for its ease and the magnificent views of the Ardèche. Watch out for curious children, there are one or two holes on the plateau... you can't see the bottom.

Machine-translated

Babs Sirène
Babs Sirène

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk in the hills above Vogüé. At the end of the trail, at the quarry, I couldn't find the path marked for the descent, or perhaps it seemed too steep, so I took the path marked for the chapel, which was much more accessible. A very beautiful loop.

Machine-translated

Shalva
Shalva

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk, but not recommended in summer as there is little shade. However, it is very pleasant in November. Follow the GPS route carefully as there are few landmarks on the grassy areas

Machine-translated

RANDOVIVI
RANDOVIVI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, even in October. After a short climb, there is a breathtaking view of Voguë and the surrounding area.
Thanks to the author of the hike

Machine-translated

souchez rando
souchez rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

thanks to the route planner for making this a very beautiful hike. It starts off gently, given the climb, but after that you can go at your own pace without forgetting to look at the scenery around you

Machine-translated

GERVASONI
GERVASONI

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike, with a short climb at the start followed by an easy walk to the magnificent chapel at the end.
Thanks to the author of this hike

Machine-translated

souchez rando
souchez rando

a beautiful hike early in the morning with breathtaking views of Vogué and the surrounding area. A nice climb right from the start, but it's easy enough to warm up. Thanks to the guide!

Machine-translated

mlo
mlo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views of the Ardèche mountains. The village of Vogüe is worth a visit.

Machine-translated

Cypriella
Cypriella

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Some brands are missing and the description is difficult to understand.

Machine-translated

larsen Detdl
larsen Detdl
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, with a nice climb as soon as you leave the village, leading to a beautiful limestone plateau with paths lined with ancient stone walls. Wide views offer an impressive sense of freedom and calm. The route alternates between open and wooded sections. Recommended picnic spot: the pond, with the croaking of frogs.
The final stretch after Les Chazes is magnificent, with paths and trails lined with white stone walls – magical!
The old Giraud quarries and their information panels are well worth a stop.
There are two ways to access the chapel: via the steep path at the end of the old quarry, or via a more accessible path by retracing your steps to the entrance of the quarry. Both options are signposted.

The route was followed using the very reliable GPX on a Garmin Oregon. I only got off track once because I remembered a karstic cave to see. It's right by the path, you can't miss this big hole :-)

On foot: do clockwise as suggested
Feasible by mountain bike and electric mountain bike: go anti-clockwise to enjoy the magnificent single track arriving at Les Chazes in the right direction and finish with the descent with pavasses that takes you back to the top of the castle. Please note: on an electric mountain bike, at the chapel, continue along the wide path that joins the entrance to the old Giraud quarries. Do not attempt to carry your bike along the rough path that climbs up to the left of the chapel.

Machine-translated

Randamont
Randamont

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike, very easy

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.