Around Bidon and the Champvermeil dolmen
BIDON
Around Bidon and the Champvermeil dolmen
Medium
3h
11,1km
+132m
-132m
Loop
GR
PR
A fairly easy route, mainly on wide paths with no steep gradients.
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This peaceful route takes in the garrigue and the Ardèche oak forest, as well as lapiaz (limestone slabs sculpted by the elements). A return trip takes you to the Champvermeil dolmen.
Description
- From the hiking information board, take the small road that leaves to the left of the town hall towards Plaine d'Aurèle. At the ‘Puits de la Vieille’ signpost, follow the direction ‘St Remèze’ via ‘La Charrette’ by taking the road that climbs parallel to the one you have just come from. After 50 metres, turn right up to the church square and continue to the left until you reach the cross. When you reach the calvary, turn right onto the tarmac road, which becomes a dirt track a little further on. Follow it to the left. At the next fork, turn left then right and follow the path between the dry stone walls. At the end of the path, turn right then left. At the ‘La Charrette’ signpost, head towards ‘Grottes de Saint-Marcel’ via ‘Le Pouzat’.
- Cross the main road and take the small road that branches off slightly to the right. When this turns into a wide dirt track, continue straight ahead. Stay on the main path until you reach the signpost for ‘Le Clos de Goudaud’.
- From there, head towards ‘Plaine du Cayre’ (to the left). Follow the main path and the signposts until you reach the D690. Cross the road and take the dirt track opposite. At the next two junctions, turn left. When you reach a fork approximately 600 metres after the second junction, take the path on the right. At the signpost for ‘Plaine du Cayre’, follow the signs for ‘Maison Forestière du Laoul’.
- At the next intersection, turn right (again towards ‘Maison Forestière du Laoul’ at the Aven de Fontanilles signpost). The next part of the route is not signposted. Take the first path on the right, then left after 100 m; 30 m further on, continue to the left. At the next crossroads, turn right. At the Champ Vermeil signpost, follow the departmental road to the left for 250 m and cross carefully at the sign indicating the direction of the Champvermeil dolmen.
- Follow the path for approximately 100 metres to reach the largest dolmen in the department out of the 800 listed. Then retrace your steps to the ‘Aven de Fontanilles’ signpost. Continue straight ahead towards “Bidon” via ‘Grand Champ’. The track joins the road. Follow it to the left, then take the path that branches off to the left. At the ‘Grand Champ’ signpost, go straight ahead (towards ‘Bidon 0.8 km’) and, at the next fork, go straight ahead again.
- Cross the D201 and continue along the path until you reach an iron cross. There, turn right to pass through the largest sinkhole in France. This is a collapse of the ground caused by the dissolution of rock by water. Then take the path that branches off to the left towards a farm; when you reach the road, turn left to return to the starting point.
- Departure : Hiking information board (under the bus shelter) Place de la Mairie
- Arrival : Hiking information board (under the bus shelter) Place de la Mairie
- Towns crossed : BIDON and SAINT-REMEZE
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Please take care not to move anything around the dolmen and, above all, do not climb on it.
Information desks
Place du Champ de Mars, 07700 Bourg-Saint-Andéol
Le Village, 07220 Larnas
1 Pl. de l'Église, 07700 Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
Access and parking
From Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, take the D4 towards Bourg-Saint-Andéol. Shortly after Saint-Remèze, turn right onto the D201 to the small village square.
From Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche take the Route Touristique des Gorges towards Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and +/- 5 km past the Grotte de St-Marcel take the D690 towards Bidon.
From Bourg-Saint-Andéol, at the roundabout west of Bourg, just next to the bridge over the railway line, take the 'route de Bidon' (D358) and then the D201 to the right.
From Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche take the Route Touristique des Gorges towards Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and +/- 5 km past the Grotte de St-Marcel take the D690 towards Bidon.
From Bourg-Saint-Andéol, at the roundabout west of Bourg, just next to the bridge over the railway line, take the 'route de Bidon' (D358) and then the D201 to the right.
Parking :
Bidon Town Hall Square
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