Stay: 5 must-see hikes & discoveries in Ardèche

Description

This hiking trip, "5 musts of Ardèche", is guided by a mountain guide who takes you to discover the riches and diversity of a powerful territory where mountains, gorges, forests, rivers are revealed to you vibrate with all their energies.

A very varied and nuanced territory, you appreciate 3 very different geological and natural entities.

Southern Ardèche, with its Mediterranean influences, reveals all the splendor of its canyons and caves of the Gorges de l'Ardèche National Nature Reserve. The history of the Chauvet cave, known worldwide for its rock paintings, dating back more than 36 years, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, will not leave you indifferent.

The upper Cévennes or Cévennes Ardéchoises reveal steeper slopes where schist and granite compete to serve as a base for the essential and indispensable chestnut tree. Flowing volcanic organs, waterfalls, clear rivers, natural basins, traditional stone hamlets, calades, pastoralism, everything here is in harmony with the surrounding nature.

And finally, the mountain of Ardèche where an incredible volcanic history manifests itself. Eastern edge of the central massif, it is here that the Loire takes its source at the foot of Mont Gerbier de Jonc, on a high plateau where multiple volcanoes have been erected. Authentic country, with a mountain climate, shaped by farmers since the 12th century, unforgettable panoramas and the unmissable in-situ artistic journey of the watershed await you.

Guillaume, your guide, invites you to share his passion for this country and these most secret and wild places.
This stay is offered to you as a star* where a warm and quality welcome awaits you. For you, these are active and comfortable holidays which are waiting for you: transport at the start of hiking provided, SPA, sauna and delicious dishes prepared by the Auberge with local products to make you taste the Ardèche in all the senses!

* return every late afternoon to the same accommodation

Day 1: Arrival at the Auberge de Montpezat-sous-Bauzon in Ardèche. Meet and greet in Montpezat-sous-Bauzon at 18 p.m. Around a local aperitif offered by your host, you will spend a friendly moment with your guide, host and other hikers.

Day 2: Montpezat “Between the Ardèche of butter and the Ardèche of oil”. We set off to discover Montpezat and its 5 volcanoes. This village steeped in history with its exceptional heritage will charm you with the hikes offered. The hike follows the Fonteaulière river to the Vestide du Pal (one of the largest Maar craters in Europe). The Cévennes offer a very particular mountain side to the landscape. A mule country, we gradually immerse ourselves in the diversity of Ardèche, contemplating landscapes and built heritage. Listen, the stones speak to us...

Approach by minibus. Hiking distance: 17.5 km – Total ascent: 680 m – Total descent: 680 m

Participants who do not wish to do the entire hike can be picked up along the route by bus by the host.

Day 3: Jaujac and Thueyts “Feet in the Monts d’Ardèche Regional Natural Park! Between Volcano and River. We visit the village of Jaujac, the southernmost of the Hautes Cévennes in the heart of the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park. Chestnut trees, Mediterranean vegetation, and of course exceptional basalt organs (ranked among the most beautiful in Europe) shape this landscape around its very young volcano in section. There are many sources near Thueyts, including the famous gaseous and ferruginous spring of Peschier to taste for the most curious! And for the most motivated walkers, sumptuous mineral summits are available to you such as Pic Ladenne and the first reliefs of the Tanargue Massif!

On the way back, we pass through an ancient Celtic city, Thueyts, with a volcanic character (the entire town is on a lava flow!). We take a small tourist route along the ridges where exceptional panoramas await you. We can also enter the heart of the Gravenne crater, now a haven of peace where lush vegetation has tamed the lava.

Approach by minibus: 15 km – Hiking distance: 13.5 km – Total ascent: 460 m – Total descent: 460 m

Day 4: Mézenc/Gerbier Massif “Back to basics”. Exceptional mountain territory, where flora (more than 300 different species) and fauna take pride of place! Marmots, red deer, griffon vultures, golden eagles rub shoulders with fabulous mountain flora, such as the large yellow gentian, the martagon lily or even for lovers of good food, the emblem of Fin Gras du Mézenc: the cittern (or fennel Alpes).

Cradle of the largest river in France, this territory is also a place of sharing, both by its waters (Atlantic and Mediterranean), and by its inhabitants. Magnificent artistic and cultural works were created in the great outdoors, to sensitively represent and highlight this geographical line. all of his contemporary works of art thus form the in-situ artistic journey of “water sharing”. The ascent of two volcanoes, Mont Mézenc (highest point of Ardèche with its 1753 meters of altitude) and Mont Gerbier de Jonc (at the sources of the Loire), offer us magnificent panoramas over part of the central massif and the Alps.

Minibus approach: 30 km – Distance: 13.5 km – Total ascent: 460 m – Total descent: 460 m

Day 5: Ailhon / Labeaume “Journeys through the eras…”. Ailhon: In the heart of Piedmont Cévenol Ardéchois, we set foot on this ancient beach, 220 million years old, where the visible traces of dinosaurs bear witness to their presence. Celtic Mound, river, forest and ancient abbey will be revealed under your feet...Labeaume is a village located between limestone plateau, dominated by scrubland and aromatic vegetation. Labeaume, the river which crosses it, is the origin of its name. Here, a whole host of stories are available to you... And it's not the famous Alphonse Daudet, former resident of this charming village, who would say the opposite!

Minibus approach: 25 km – Distance: 14 km – Total ascent: 320 m – Total descent: 320 m

Day 6: We end this stay with the unmissable National Nature Reserve of the Gorges de l'Ardèche. We will be amazed by this very special Pont d'Arc and will appreciate all the biodiversity and richness of this place, as the first men did more than 36 years ago. Egyptian Vulture and Bonelli's Eagle have taken up residence on these steep hills crossed by the Ardèche, as have our chief builder of waterways, the famous European beaver.
This stay to discover the Ardèche would not be complete without the unmissable visit to the famous Chauvet 2 Cave which will extend this journey from another time a little further.

Minibus approach: 50 km – Distance: 13 km – Total ascent: 500 m – Total descent: 500 m

This program is given for information only; it can be modified by your guide to adapt to the group, weather conditions and accommodation availability.
For information: All circuits are adaptable depending on the weather conditions, particularly during heatwaves. We will stay on shaded circuits, along the river, and we will try, why not, Rand'O (water hikes) in certain sectors.

Departure and return from hikes: Departure from the inn: between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. (depending on the day) / Return to the inn: between 17 p.m. and 18:30 p.m. (depending on the day)

Level of hikes: Not very difficult.
Equipment to provide:
For hiking:
– Backpack 40 liters minimum
– High-top, waterproof hiking shoes
– Gore-tex type jacket with hood
– Waterproof pants or overtrousers
– Walking pants and shorts
- Polar jacket
– 1 pair of gloves
– Beanie
- Sunglasses
– Lip and skin protection
– A pair of gaiters

For the meals :
– Cutlery, cup, plate, bowl, knife
– 1 or 2 water bottles capacity 1,5 to 2 liters
– Water purification tablets

For evening :
– Lounge shoes for evening comfort
– A change of clothing
– Minimum toiletries

For guest rooms or hotels:
– Sheets, blankets and towels provided

For your hiking needs:
– Essential: biodegradable toilet paper
– Biodegradable soap or cleansing gel
Small personal pharmacy (be careful not to confuse it with a field hospital):
– Analgesic (aspirin, Doliprane), vitamin C, elastoplast, adhesive dressings, double skin (Compeed), earplugs
– Your personal medications…
A collective pharmacy is planned for the group.
Miscellaneous: Sandals, walking poles, camera, swimsuit…

Opening

From 07/04 to 12/04/2024.

From 28/04 to 03/05/2024.

From 12/05 to 17/05/2024.

From 26/05 to 31/05/2024.

From 02/06 to 07/06/2024.

From 23/06 to 28/06/2024.