Upper trail of the Ardèche Gorges hike (part 2)
VALLON-PONT-D'ARC
Upper trail of the Ardèche Gorges hike (part 2)
Hard
6h
12,3km
+287m
-353m
⚠️ The hike in the Ardèche Gorges is a challenging route. It is intended for experienced hikers and is not recommended for young children.
The trail is very rocky, and there is a significant elevation gain (+/- 500m).
The route follows the river and includes two mandatory fords, handrails and a ladder.
The entire route is only feasible when the river water level is very low. Check before setting off.
The trail is very rocky, and there is a significant elevation gain (+/- 500m).
The route follows the river and includes two mandatory fords, handrails and a ladder.
The entire route is only feasible when the river water level is very low. Check before setting off.
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Majestic gorges with luminous rocks sculpted by water and time. Protected flora and fauna, typical of limestone cliffs and the Mediterranean climate.
The trail runs along the cliff edge at times and along the riverbank at others, offering numerous opportunities for swimming along the way.
The trail runs along the cliff edge at times and along the riverbank at others, offering numerous opportunities for swimming along the way.
Description
The Ardèche Gorges hiking trail connects Vallon-Pont-d'Arc and Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche. An approach walk is possible from the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc Tourist Office to the Belvédère car park (P3) downstream from the Pont d'Arc.
This section starts there and goes to the Bivouac de Gournier. The downstream section goes to Sauze beach in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche.
From the car park, cross the road and then go up to the car park of the Hôtel-restaurant du Belvédère. Take the path that branches off to the right and passes above it. At the first intersection, go up to the left and at the second, go to the right and follow the path to the hamlet of Chames. Turn left there and follow the path parallel to the road for 350 metres. At the fork, go right and after crossing the stream, turn right and cross the road. The sign marks the actual start of the ‘Sentier des Gorges’ trail. Head straight towards the Gournier bivouac. You are now entering the Gorges de l'Ardèche National Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations. After 1 km, you will reach the summit of Montagne de Sable, which you will descend facing the Saleyron cliff. The path runs along the Charmassonnet plain to the ford. It is 1.4 km to the Charmassonnet ford. You must cross the ford to reach the other bank. Be careful when crossing (a stick may help). The long tree-lined trail passes through areas rich in ferns. The right bank leads you to the Dent Noire rapids. You will pass in front of the Gaud bivouac.
⚠️Walk 6 km to reach the signpost at the Guitard ford junction. Cross the Ardèche carefully. To reach the Gournier bivouac area, walk along the sand dune (protected area with barriers to prevent trampling, please do not enter). Head straight towards the campsite. During the summer, you will find a Syndicat agent at the Gournier campsite. You can stay overnight at the campsite if you have made a reservation.
This section starts there and goes to the Bivouac de Gournier. The downstream section goes to Sauze beach in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche.
From the car park, cross the road and then go up to the car park of the Hôtel-restaurant du Belvédère. Take the path that branches off to the right and passes above it. At the first intersection, go up to the left and at the second, go to the right and follow the path to the hamlet of Chames. Turn left there and follow the path parallel to the road for 350 metres. At the fork, go right and after crossing the stream, turn right and cross the road. The sign marks the actual start of the ‘Sentier des Gorges’ trail. Head straight towards the Gournier bivouac. You are now entering the Gorges de l'Ardèche National Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations. After 1 km, you will reach the summit of Montagne de Sable, which you will descend facing the Saleyron cliff. The path runs along the Charmassonnet plain to the ford. It is 1.4 km to the Charmassonnet ford. You must cross the ford to reach the other bank. Be careful when crossing (a stick may help). The long tree-lined trail passes through areas rich in ferns. The right bank leads you to the Dent Noire rapids. You will pass in front of the Gaud bivouac.
⚠️Walk 6 km to reach the signpost at the Guitard ford junction. Cross the Ardèche carefully. To reach the Gournier bivouac area, walk along the sand dune (protected area with barriers to prevent trampling, please do not enter). Head straight towards the campsite. During the summer, you will find a Syndicat agent at the Gournier campsite. You can stay overnight at the campsite if you have made a reservation.
- Departure : Parking 3 ‘Belvédère’ or at Pont du Tiourre, Chames, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (tourist route through the Gorges)
- Arrival : Gournier campsite, Saint-Remèze
- Towns crossed : VALLON-PONT-D'ARC, LABASTIDE-DE-VIRAC, and SAINT-REMEZE
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Please note! The Ardèche Gorges trail is a linear trail, not a loop. You will therefore need to arrange your own transport by car or with one of the transport companies offering this service.
You can park your vehicle at the Sauze car park in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, at car park 3 (Belvédère) at the Pont d'Arc, or at the bus station car park in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. From there, you can reach the starting point by foot: see the ‘Le Pont d'Arc depuis Vallon’ hike; or take a shuttle bus, which runs in summer and on weekends in May and June.
The hike is not possible all year round due to fords where water levels may be too high. Be sure to check the weather and water levels with the Tourist Office before setting off.
It is possible to leave the nature reserve and return to the Gorges tourist road at the Gaud and Gournier bivouacs, but to complete the entire hike, it is strongly recommended that you spend a night in one of these bivouacs. They are open and staffed from Easter to the end of September. Reservations are required at the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc or St-Martin-d'Ardèche Tourist Offices or on the Ardèche Gorges Tourist Office website.
– The best months to visit are May, June, September and October. Temperatures are cooler and the days are sunny.
– Stay on the trails to protect the flora.
– Be as discreet as possible so as not to disturb the animals that live here.
– Obviously, do not throw rubbish or toilet paper into the countryside.
You can park your vehicle at the Sauze car park in Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche, at car park 3 (Belvédère) at the Pont d'Arc, or at the bus station car park in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. From there, you can reach the starting point by foot: see the ‘Le Pont d'Arc depuis Vallon’ hike; or take a shuttle bus, which runs in summer and on weekends in May and June.
The hike is not possible all year round due to fords where water levels may be too high. Be sure to check the weather and water levels with the Tourist Office before setting off.
It is possible to leave the nature reserve and return to the Gorges tourist road at the Gaud and Gournier bivouacs, but to complete the entire hike, it is strongly recommended that you spend a night in one of these bivouacs. They are open and staffed from Easter to the end of September. Reservations are required at the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc or St-Martin-d'Ardèche Tourist Offices or on the Ardèche Gorges Tourist Office website.
– The best months to visit are May, June, September and October. Temperatures are cooler and the days are sunny.
– Stay on the trails to protect the flora.
– Be as discreet as possible so as not to disturb the animals that live here.
– Obviously, do not throw rubbish or toilet paper into the countryside.
Good hiking boots. Water shoes and walking sticks for fording. Sun protection. Water bottles or water pouches. Bring sufficient water and food. Camping equipment if not booked at one of the campsites.
A guidebook is available from the information offices of the Ardèche Gorges – Pont d'Arc Tourist Office. It contains a detailed itinerary and lots of information about the fauna, flora and history of the Gorges.
A guidebook is available from the information offices of the Ardèche Gorges – Pont d'Arc Tourist Office. It contains a detailed itinerary and lots of information about the fauna, flora and history of the Gorges.
Information desks
9 rue Alphonse Daudet, 07120 Ruoms
1 Pl. de l'Église, 07700 Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
16 rue des Abeilles, 07150 Vallon Pont d’Arc
Transport
Bus line X76 Valence TGV - Montélimar - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Bus line E15 Avignon - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Aubenas
Pont d'Arc shuttle bus on weekends in May and June + every day in July and August, departing from the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc Tourist Office. Check timetables.
Bus line E20 Pont-St-Esprit - St-Just-d'Ardèche - Bourg-St-Andéol.
Canoe rental companies between St-Martin-d'Ardèche and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Bus line E15 Avignon - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc - Aubenas
Pont d'Arc shuttle bus on weekends in May and June + every day in July and August, departing from the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc Tourist Office. Check timetables.
Bus line E20 Pont-St-Esprit - St-Just-d'Ardèche - Bourg-St-Andéol.
Canoe rental companies between St-Martin-d'Ardèche and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Access and parking
From Vallon Pont d'Arc, take the D290 towards the Ardèche Gorges.
It is advisable to leave your car in Saint-Martin and book a lift to the starting point with one of the canoe rental companies.
In summer, there are shuttle buses connecting Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to the P3 Belvédère car park.
The departure point can also be just after the Pont de Tiourre bridge.
It is advisable to leave your car in Saint-Martin and book a lift to the starting point with one of the canoe rental companies.
In summer, there are shuttle buses connecting Vallon-Pont-d'Arc to the P3 Belvédère car park.
The departure point can also be just after the Pont de Tiourre bridge.
Parking :
Parking 3 ‘Belvédère’ or in Chames, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Report a problem or an error
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