Hiking

The network of the hiking footpaths in the Ardèche has a total length of more than 3.000 miles. They are maintained and signposted by numerous clubs, associations and initiatives, and they are well described in many maps and guides.

There are more than 300 miles of long-distance hiking footpaths, the "Grandes Randonnées", abbreviated "GR". They are marked out with horizontal red and white stripes.

The GR connect the Ardèche with many other regions of France. The European long-distance footpath E4 from Austria to Spain crosses the Ardèche as well as the long-distance footpath GR4, that leads from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic.

In addition, there are five round circuit rambling routes, the "GR de pays", with yellow and red markings. Each of them having a length between 35 and 150 miles, they allow you to explore the different regions of the Ardèche in comfortable sections.

For all those, who prefer shorter walks and strolls, the approximately 2.500 miles of local and regional rambling footpaths ("promenades randonnées") will be appropriate. Usually, they are marked out in yellow and white.

Many associations and organisations offer guided tours for one or several days, a large deal of them dedicated to a special (e.g. natural or cultural) topic.

For comprehensive information about hiking and rambling in France, you may contact the

Centre information sentiers et randonnées
Fédération française de la randonnée pédestre
64, rue de Gergovie
F-75014 Paris
Phone: +33 (0)1.44.89.93.93

and, more specifically for the Ardèche, the regional section

Comité départemental de la randonnée pédestre
Le Gamel
F-07200 Saint-Sernin
Phone: +33 (0)4.75.93.36.40

Descriptions of the regional itineraries can be purchased from the Ardèche hiking associations and from the tourist offices ("Syndicat d'initiative" / "Office de tourisme") of the sectors concerned.

F-07400 St. Martin l'Inférieur
Phone: +33 (0)4.75.52.90.32
Fax: +33 (0)4.75.52.89.05

E-Mail: info@lepetitnice.com

Hiking