THE ARDECHE

A Walking Holiday Off The Beaten Track!

On the Massif Central above the broad valley of the Rhone lies a walker’s paradise of hills where the Ardeche, Loire and Haute Loire regions meet. This is a watershed for some of France’s great rivers, a land of steeply terraced slopes, half-hidden valleys and tumbling streams. This is a place for the walking connoisseur; thankfully absent from many a guidebook. Massive ruined farm-houses seem embedded into the landscape and the bleat of goats and call of a wild bird are often the only sounds you will hear.

Our Ardeche ramble unfolds with views across the Doux Valley from Le Crestet. Next morning, we take a pleasantly shaded path, running partly through orchards, to the market town of Lamastre, set amongst rugged hills covered with ancient chestnut trees of enormous girth. Turning north the route climbs to the old spa-town of Lalouvesc, perched at 1100m above the Rhone valley, with views, on a clear day, to the east as far as the snow-covered peaks of the Alps. Skirting the Haut-Vivarais, looking down on tiny red-roofed hamlets clinging to steep grassy slopes, continue to the little picturesque village of St. Bonnet le Froid. Through fields yellow with wild daffodils in late Spring, head south skirting the Lac de Devesset (good for a possible dip on a warm day) to St Agreve and a friendly Auberge in a tiny square. Set against the backdrop of Mt. Mezenc, and Mt. Gerbier de Jonc, the source of the mighty River Loire, this small market town is where we schedule a rest day although local circular routes are possible. The 10-night circuit now goes South past the ruined Chateau de Rochebonne overlooking the River Eyrieux, to the town of St. Martin de Valamas situated in a narrow valley; then back to St. Agreve next day by a different path along a well-graded former railway line. Both itineraries then head west along an ancient mule road, the ‘Voie des Marchands’, with breathtaking views of the meticulously terraced slopes of the Haut Vivarais to the North, on the way back to Lamastre.

Inn to Inn 8 or 10 days	Click here detailed dossier
Duration: 7 nights/8 days or 9 nights/10 days Tour Code: JAD Grade: Moderate Day Stages: Minimum 10km, max 23km.	Click here detailed dossier
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2012	Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
May - mid October. Start any day except Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Or any day during July and August.

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Your Accommodation

9 nights/10 days - The walk begins at a small traditional hotel (2* Logis) with pool at Le Crestet, over-looking the Doux valley. At Lamastre we use a comfortable old hotel (2* Logis) in a shady square. At the old spa-town of Lalouvesc, you stay in an ungraded but grand old hotel, where décor of the 50s, old-fashioned hospitality and a menu of the same genre, welcome you for the night. In contrast what was originally an old convent has been transformed into a smart 3* hotel with spacious grounds and an indoor pool, at St. Bonnet le Froid where we spend 2 nights. This establishment has won Logis de France awards, notably for the dessert menu. The recently renovated auberge in the square at St. Agreve provides simple accommodation for 2 nights. The bar of the 1* hotel in St. Martin de Valamas (10-day circuit only) is the hub of activity in this small town.

7 nights/8 days - On the 8-day circuit the 2nd night in St Agreve and the night in St Martin de Valamas are omitted.

Sherpa Notes

Waymarking
Mixed marking of the Grande Randonnee paths. Always on well established paths, country lanes, or forest tracks.

Accommodation and Meals
7 nights dinner, bed and breakfast in country hotels and auberges on the 8 day itinerary.
9 nights dinner, bed and breakfast on the 10 day itinerary

Travel
From Lyon take a train to Tain L’ Hermitage.
On both the 8 and 10 day itinerary a taxi is required to Le Crestet.
For the return journey taxi or bus from Lamastre to Tain L’ Hermitage. Allow 33 Euros per person for the trains and 100 Euros for the taxis (not included).
via Rail: Eurostar St Pancras to Lille and Lille to Tain L’Hermitage plus taxi to Le Crestet and from Lamastre (approx.100 Euros, not included). Details and Eurostar fares on request.

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