Hiking Ardèche

At the south end of Annonay - route de la Roche-Péréandre - the direction of the "reception area of travellers" will take you to a very pleasant and wild road that accompanies the Rivière river halfway to the Rhone valley. The whole journey by car is a bit tedious, but cycling or walking on a part of the course will guarantee you a freshness of freshness.

Ruoms is an ideal base from which to explore the southern Ardèche. While many visitors take to the water with swimming and canoeing, hikers of all levels will also be delighted. Starting from the town center or just a few kilometers away, numerous hiking trails criss-cross the region, offering itineraries for all levels and ages. A topographical guide to the trails is available from the Ruoms tourist office, along with ideas for fun discovery tours for children.

Crossed by the GR 73 in the direction of Gerbier-de-Rush, the village of Sagnes-et-Goudoulet can serve as a final step before admiring the springs of the Loire. After taking some information from the village's inhabitants, you will be set up on a bottle or will leave through the «sagnes» to meet a country of full nature. Just a word to tell you about the Padelle - small river - and the small stone bridge for trout fishing.

While walking along the Rhône and through the magnificent vineyards of the Ardèche, especially from Ozon, you will enjoy a beautiful panorama of the vineyards and the Rhône valley. You have the choice between several marked out circuits. There is bound to be one that will suit your fitness and the time you have available. These itineraries are suitable for hiking as well as for cycling, and even for some horseback riding.

The lake tower is easily reached within an hour's walk. At the beginning, a panel may ask you: " cave-in habitat ". It is not the cave of a man from Cromagnon but simply the "house" of the fishing guard of the Vogüe, the former lords of the Lake. If you decide to visit, using the channel used to ensure it, you risk being appalled by the misery of these caves, although picturesque, but which were the mere residence of a family. Returning to the village, you can dine in one of the many hostels that open with the beautiful season in this old resort or enjoy the other marked circuits: The Guarantee Valley is 12 km long and the Cherchemus 10 kilometres long.

This Ardèche-based association aims to study and promote the region's Protestant heritage. A religious association, it welcomes over 150 members of various denominations. It offers a wide range of activities in the surrounding area to discover this little-known heritage, including visits to key sites in Huguenot history, and themed walks, usually all day long and accompanied by a picnic. Find out more about the programs on their comprehensive website.

To each mountain. In Aix-en-Provence La Sainte-Victoire, in Vals-les-Bains, Sainte-Marguerite. The Sainte-Marguerite mountain has a magnificent view and for its high position of privilege not very advantageous to have become a large gathering of parabolic antennas and other mats of reception. We must ignore this ecological disaster and come to admire a great deal of the Lower Vivarais, the mountain Ventoux and the Alps from here, in clear times.

The Ardèche is a hiker's paradise, and the area around Le Cheylard, with its rolling hills and gentle slopes, lends itself particularly well to family walks, as well as longer itineraries. But walking is not the only activity on offer, and motorcycle and bike enthusiasts will also be delighted. The tourist office and numerous shops will be happy to provide you with information, maps and topographical guides. The Association des Randonneurs des Boutières (Boutières hikers' association) offers hikes to help interpret the landscape and tell local stories.

The Montmiandon dominates Annonay and recognizes itself in its telecommunications antenna. We walk at the foot of the hill by the cemetery road or Beauregard's driveway, both leading to the hamlet of Chatinais. We recommend the second because it offers a superb panorama over Annonay. The tower of the hill - counting one hour - and the detour to the summit - altitude 679 m - are a quiet walk on comfortable paths that allow to admire in all peace of the wide views of the plateau or mountain side, thanks to the orientation table. You can even see deer in this upper part of the mountain.

Hiking route from the church of ten kilometers. Overlooking the village of Sagnes, this is one of the most beautiful juices in the Ardéchoise Mountains: the Juice or Les Coux. It is indeed characterized by the existence on its top of a kind of terrace, a little like if the volcanism had had the idea of putting a plateau on the Plateau! This particular site, which dominates the vast expanse of "Sagnes", i. e. bogs, has given rise to a series of legends. One of them speaks of an old man carrying a lauze over his head and disappearing in the fog… In any case, once mounted on the terrace, you can see the "Head of the Devil", large stone slab with mysterious origin and the Cloche rock which, when you find it, rings when you hit it.

Par Monts et Par Vaux (PMPV) is an incoming agency specialised in the organisation of cycling, walking or skiing raids. PMPV has rapidly expanded its offer with "free" cycling and hiking trips, always with the emphasis on the discovery of a rich and wild nature and the pleasure of going off the beaten track on carefully chosen itineraries. Ideal for discovering the landscapes of the north of the Ardèche and the Haute-Loire, through volcanic mountains and valleys for stays that are 100% nature and pleasure.

Lalouvesc is on the route of the GR 430, Chemin de Saint-Régis, 207 km from Le Puy-en-Velay. Ideal from May to the end of October for this spiritual and mountainous journey. On this trail, two recipes have been awarded the Goûtez l'Ardèche label, including pavé de Saint-Régis, a small cake from the Lalouvesc bakery, available in a range of fillings made with local jams. There's also the Sainte-Thérèse Couderc trail from Lalouvesc, where this Ardéchoise founded the congregation of Notre-Dame du Cénacle to the abbey of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges (180 km).

Go for this walk in the centre of the village of Therefore-d'Ardèche and cross the bridge towards Saint-Pierreville. About 200 metres further, on the right, take the road to Serrepuy: it is simply marked "Loop René Sautel". Next, follow the signs «Fontfreyde» and «Rémus»; you will return to your starting point by following the yellow markup. Good news: the Community of Municipalities and the Chestnut Tourism Office offer about ten other circuits, marked or in progress, to start from four different communes; to discover at its own pace the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 4,5 km.

Duration: 1 p. m.

Difficulty: .

Markup: yellow.

Special provisions: shall be composed of an IGN card.

It is vis-a-vis the town hall of Saint-Pierreville that will begin your strolls, between forest roads, streams, meadows and wood of chestnuts. The bucolic setting who accompanies to you during these 7 kilometers will charm in love ones with nature. Easy, this loop is accessible to all the family. Good news: the Community of towns and the Tourist Office of the Chestnuts propose about ten other tours, marked out or in the course of marking, to carry out at the beginning of four different towns; what to discover at its rhythm the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

Price: free.

Distance: 7.4 km away.

Duration: 2:30.

Difficulty: easy.

Marking: yellow and white-yellow.

Specific measures: bring absolutely with a MAP.

To undertake this loop of Farassou, towards the village square of Gluiras. Whether you stay in the region or whether you are just passing through, discover thanks to this tour the hamlets of Haut Vernet, Blache and Main Road. Step-by-step, note the care given to the pavement of the way: it was once an important communication. Good news: the Community of municipalities and the Tourist Office of the chestnut trees offer a dozen other tours, marked or undergoing marking, realizar early four different cities; what to discover at your own pace the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

Price: free.

Distance: 7 km away.

Duration: 2:00.

Problem: easy.

Marking: white and yellow.

Specific measures: bring imperatively with a carte IGN.

From the town hall Issamoulenc, this walk takes you on a tour of the city and its surroundings, while making you pass through the hamlets of cross, of Peyses, Serret, then by the bridge of Foulix and Poumarat. Ideal to be spent near home! And good news: the Community of municipalities and the Tourist Office of the chestnut trees offer a dozen other tours, marked or undergoing marking, realizar early four different cities; what to discover at your own pace the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

Price: free.

Distance: 6 km away.

Duration: 3:00.

Problem: easy.

Marking: in progress.

Specific measures: bring imperatively with a carte IGN.

At the departure of Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, this 8 kilometre tour is accessible as well as by bike. As its name indicates, it will lead you to the rock and castle of Castevieil, among others; the opportunity for us to integrate a few notions of history and Occitan into a walk. Castevieil, meaning "old castle", was used by the Romans as a place of refuge and meeting: This is called a town, and its Celtic-type fortification is very characteristic.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 8,4 km.

Difficulty: .

The promenade begins at the level of the tourist office and takes you over 6 kilometres to the discovery of the country Ardéchois. You first get up the river via the land, before going along the gorges in the direction of descent, from Sauze until you return to the right port. On the way, the dolmen of Ranc des Banastes can be invoked at a short stop. Easy and accessible to the whole family, this circuit presents itself as a nice option for a sports Sunday!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 6,4 km.

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Does little walks in the country of chestnut Trees, whether you tent? From the town hall Albon- in Ardèche, this marked itinerary is achievable on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. On a grassy way, you cross pleasant rural landscapes, ideal for an afternoon relaxing family or small physical exercise at the end of the day! And good news: the Community of municipalities and the Tourist Office of the chestnut trees offer a dozen other tours, marked or undergoing marking, at the beginning of four different cities; what to discover at your own pace the rich heritage of this beautiful region.

Price: free.

Distance: 3.8 km away.

Duration: 1:15.

Problem: easy.

Marking: yellow and white and yellow.

Specific measures: bring imperatively with a carte IGN.

It's an hour's walk around the Issarlès lake. At the start, a sign indicates a troglodyte dwelling. This is the former house of the De Vogüé family, the former lords of the lake. A simple cave that sheltered a family... Other signposted trails include the 12 km Vallée du Gage and the 10 km Cherchemus. These itineraries can also be enjoyed on mountain bikes, with a few nice "bumps" thrown in for good measure!