Upper trail of the Ardèche Gorges hike
VALLON-PONT-D'ARC
Upper trail of the Ardèche Gorges hike
Hard
6h
12,5km
+311m
-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
Since June 2025, it has been possible to leave from the P3 Belvédère car park (or with the Pont d'Arc shuttle bus) to avoid driving along the departmental road.
During the summer months, you will find a Syndicat agent at the Gournier bivouac. You can spend the night at the bivouac, but please book in advance. Keep an ear out for the Great Horned Owl, which sometimes sings in the area.
- The upstream circuit of the Gorges starts at the confluence with the Tioure, a tributary of the Ardèche. Coming from Vallon Pont d'Arc, after the hamlet of Chames, there is a road bridge, the Pont du Tiourre. The hike starts just after the Pont du Tiourre, at the bend before the big climb (a path leads off to the right). After 1 km, you will reach the summit of the Montagne de Sable, which you descend to face the Saleyron cliff. The path runs along the Charmassonnet plain as far as the ford (approximately 1.4 km from the start of the path to the ford. If the water level does not allow you to cross, retrace your steps).
- You have to cross the ford to get to the other bank. Be careful when crossing (this is only possible when the water level is low; check with the Tourist Office before crossing and bring a pair of waterproof shoes). The right bank takes you to the Dent Noire rapids, named after the dark rock in the middle of the river.
- After 1.2 km, the path crosses a rocky section equipped with a central silt ladder with around 15 steps to make progress easier. Continuing along the path, you pass the Gaud bivouac.
- Approximately 4 km after the Gaud bivouac, you will come to the Guitard ford, which you will have to cross to reach the Gournier bivouac (a sign indicating the optimal spot has been put up by Nature Reserve staff). At the Guitard ford junction post, cross the Ardèche in the direction of Sauze via the Bivouac de Goumier to see the Toupine de Goumier rapids.
During the summer months, you will find a Syndicat agent at the Gournier bivouac. You can spend the night at the bivouac, but please book in advance. Keep an ear out for the Great Horned Owl, which sometimes sings in the area.
- Departure : Parking 3 ‘Belvédère’ or at Pont du Tiourre, Chames, Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
- 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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