Maladrerie des Templiers trail

Fauna - Flora

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Embark on an unforgettable day's hiking from Le Garn towards the Maladrerie des Templiers. Hiking in undergrowth; slippery in wet weather

A very long day's hike that takes you from the Gard to the Ardèche, on a cool slope, before climbing back up through the famous Maladrerie des Templiers, with breathtaking views over the Gorges. Be careful: this trail is slippery in wet weather, and the section in the Gorges may be flooded (Ardèche in flood).

Description

At the entrance to the village, head straight on towards Le Puech-Guin, following the yellow and white signs.
At the Le Puech-Guin junction, turn right towards the Combe du Cros la Flassade. This part of the path runs alongside low stone walls and through more or less open scrubland.
After 2.2 km you come to the La Flassade junction, turn right towards Le Garn via the Combe du Cros. You will then reach the DFCI (fire-fighting track), which you should take straight ahead.
At the Terme Rouge junction, turn left towards the Combe du Cros to enter the Gorges de l'Ardèche at the next crossroads. You are entering the Gorges de l'Ardèche National Nature Reserve, so please observe the regulations.
1.6 km later, you come to the Combe du Cros crossroads. Turn right towards the Maladrerie des Templiers. Be careful as the path is slippery in wet weather. Leave the combe to dominate the Ardèche via a wooded ridge before reaching several excavations at the foot of a rocky outcrop. You reach the banks of the Ardèche on a fairly steep descent.
Climb back up to the Maladrerie des Templiers junction. Turn left to visit the ruins of the Maladrerie des Templiers and right to continue towards Le Garn via the Ingranatières crossroads. The Maladrerie des Templiers: the site occupies an exceptional position, on a rocky promontory overlooking the meander of the Ardèche opposite the cirque de la Madeleine. The monumental complex, now largely in ruins, is arranged in a closed quadrilateral around a vast cistern, like a small monastery. You then continue up to the plateau where, halfway up, at the level of the steps carved into the rock, there is a superb view of the meander of the Templars. Be careful to hold onto the handrail on the way up.
At the Ingranatières crossroads, cross the GR4 (opposite) towards Le Garn via the Fades path. After 150 metres, leave the track and turn left (see signs). After a few metres you will see a dolmen. At the junction with le terme des Fades, head towards Le Garn, turn right for 3 metres and then left. Before you reach the village, you will cross the Clos des Mules oppidum and see the Capelette (small restored chapel).

Departure : Le Garn - car park in front of the Town Hall
Arrival : Le Garn - car park in front of the Town Hall
Towns crossed : LE GARN and AIGUEZE