The Pont d'Arc stone arch from Vallon
Very rocky paths, steep for two-thirds of the route and largely in the sun.
Narrow paths going thrugh typical mediteranean vegetation of the south east of France. Lime stone cliffs. Spectacular views ! A little medieval village and old bridge on the way. attestée par des traces d’habitat dans la grotte du Maquis
Description
- From the Tourist Office, walk along the bus station platform to reach the roundabout. Cross the road and take the road up to the top the hill. Follow the
markups. - At the « Le Château » signpost (
) follow the directions "Ibie 1.4 km Pont d’Arc 3.4 km" to the right. Go down through the ancient village of Vallon. Pass the « Vieux Vallon » signposts, follow the « Pont d'Arc » direction.
Continue downhill on an asphalted track. After 200 m, turn left and take a footpath that goes down to the river Ibie. Cross the bridge. - At the « Mézelet » signpost follow the direction of « Pont d'Arc » to the left. Go up the mountain on a stony path.
- At the « Combe d'Arc » signpost follow the direction of « Pont d'Arc » to the right. Go carefully down the mountain on a rocky path following the markups.
- At the restaurant, cross the road to go to the beach upstream from the magnificent stone arch.
Go back the to the road. From there, you can go back to the tourist office either by walking back the path or by taking a bus for free (running the weekends of may, june and september, and everyday in july and august).
But, you can also continue the walk following the bottom of the cliff and crossing the road to go to the lookout dowstream of the arch. From there you can walk back or go a bit further and go back with the bus or start the 2 days hike down the Ardèche's Gorge Natural Park.
- Departure : Vallon-Pont-d'Arc : Tourists' Office
- Arrival : Parking of the Belvédère dowstream of the Pont d'Arc
- Towns crossed : VALLON-PONT-D'ARC
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Please take care: this is not just a gentle stroll along the riverbank. The route includes two steep, stony ascents and two steep, stony descents. The second half is even tougher than the first. The elevation gain should not be underestimated, especially in hot, sunny weather. Please also take extra care with children.
WARNING! For your own safety, the safety of others and the protection of the natural environment, during periods of drought or extreme heat, to prevent fires from starting:
- do not smoke; if you do, place your cigarette ends in a pocket ashtray (an ember or a cigarette end that has not been properly extinguished can cause a fire several hours after being discarded);
- avoid anything that could act as a ‘magnifying glass’ on dry vegetation (glass, bottles, etc.);
- no campfires, barbecues, camping stoves, candles or oil lamps.
Hicking shoes, water, sun protections, walking sticks
Information desks
Office de Tourisme Gorges de l'Ardèche - Ruoms
9 rue Alphonse Daudet, 07120 Ruoms
Office de Tourisme Gorges de l'Ardèche - Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
1 Pl. de l'Église, 07700 Saint-Martin-d'Ardèche
Office de Tourisme Gorges de l'Ardèche - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
16 rue des Abeilles, 07150 Vallon Pont d’Arc
Transport
Route X76 Valence TGV – Montélimar – Vallon-Pont-d'Arc
Line E15 Avignon – Vallon-Pont-d'Arc – Aubenas
Pont d'Arc shuttle:
• 7 days a week from 4 April to 17 May, then from 27 June to 13 September
• Whitsun weekend (23 to 25 May)
• Every weekend in June and September.
Check the timetables.
Access and parking
From Aubenas, take the D579 direction Vogüé, Gorges de l'Ardèche to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc..
From Bourg-Saint-Andéol, take the D4 direction Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
From Alès, take theD104 direction Aubenas. Then take the D111 direction Gorges de l'Ardèche to Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
Parking :
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