Hiking in the Ardèche: explore nature from the campsite
From the Lou Rouchetou campsite, a multitude of hiking trails invite you to discover the natural wealth of the Southern Ardèche. Whether you’re a beginner walker, a family enthusiast or a seasoned hiker, the area around the campsite offers a variety of itineraries between cliffs, rivers and wild forests.
Fancy a walk? Check out our selection of local hikes below: levels, durations and distances are indicated to help you choose your next nature outing.
LE BOIS DE PAÏOLIVE AND LES GORGES DU CHASSEZAC
must-do hikes
Just a few minutes’ walk from the campsite, the Bois de Païolive is an exceptional natural site. An ancient sacred forest, this maze of limestone rocks and holm oaks offers several hiking loops accessible from a 1h30 walk. Children will love recognizing the animal shapes in the eroded boulders: lion, turtle, bear… An interpretation trail provides a better understanding of the local flora and fauna, with educational panels and kiosks for silent observation of the little inhabitants of the undergrowth.
Further down, the Chassezac gorges offer more challenging hikes, with spectacular views over the steep-sided river. Several routes link the village of Les Vans to the surrounding ridges, offering breathtaking panoramas of the Ardèche relief and jagged cliffs. For the more adventurous, it’s possible to combine hiking and swimming: after a climb to the heights, descend to a natural beach for a refreshing break. The gorges are also popular with geology enthusiasts and photographers, especially at sunrise or sunset, when the light reveals the full beauty of the rock layers.
These hikes offer total immersion: along the way, you may come across herds of goats, smell the scent of thyme and rosemary, and stop in the shade of a rock to picnic or simply contemplate the landscape. In summer, these riverside walks combine discovery and nature. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the power and fragility of these protected natural areas, while remaining accessible to the whole family.
Itinerariesfrom the campsite
The campsite’s privileged location provides easy access to a dozen signposted routes, without having to take the car. At
Recommended routes include sections through little-visited areas, where you may encounter more wild goats than hikers. Others follow ancient mule trails leading to hilltop hamlets, natural belvederes or historic relics. These paths offer unexpected panoramas and observation breaks, perfect for lovers of photography or local history. Spring, with its abundant flowers, and autumn, with its warm colors, are particularly recommended seasons for these itineraries.
All trails are clearly signposted, with white and red markers for long-distance hiking trails (GR) and yellow or green markers for shorter walks. The variety of routes makes the campsite an ideal starting point for à la carte outings: morning, half-day or full day. And after the effort, the natural setting of the campsite welcomes you for a moment of relaxation: on the banks of the Chassezac river or in theaquatic area, to prolong your discovery in a relaxing atmosphere.
