Secret France: Walking in the Ardeche - 8 Days

BM-16468

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8 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

20 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Ends

Lamastre, France

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Best price guaranteedNo credit card or booking fees.Carbon neutral tours.

Highlights

Explore off-the-beaten track France on this one week walking holiday

Hike in the south-west Massif Central, the highlands of Central France

Sample hearty Ardeche cuisine; chestnuts, goats cheese & wild mushrooms

Taste the local Cotes du Vivarais wine in charming local restaurants

Disconnect from busy life and reconnect with nature and unspoiled beauty

Hike quiet footpaths through rugged hills, forested valleys & dramatic gorges

Itinerary

Looking for a walking adventure far from the guidebook crowds? The 'Secret France: Walking in the Ardeche – 8 Days' tour uncovers a hidden corner of the Massif Central where the Ardeche, Loire, and Haute Loire regions meet. This self-guided trek leads you through ancient drove roads, chestnut forests, terraced slopes, and half-forgotten valleys, offering a true escape into rural France.

From Lamastre, the route takes you north to the spa town of Lalouvesc—perched high above the Rhone valley—then across flower-filled meadows and past mountain lakes to the market town of St Agreve. Along the way, explore ruined farmhouses and chateaux, dip into the Lac de Devesset, and wander through hamlets where traditional life continues much as it has for generations.

The moderate walking tour is punctuated by comfortable hotel stays and hearty local meals, with each day promising new sights and tranquil moments in nature. The region’s authenticity is its greatest asset—you’ll often find yourself accompanied only by the sounds of goats, streams, and birdsong.

The unique selling point of this trip is its genuine off-the-beaten-path experience, perfect for travelers who relish slow travel, unspoiled landscapes, and a deep connection with France’s rural heritage.

day 1Arrive Lamastre

Arrive at your hotel in Lamastre, a quiet market town in the heart of the Ardeche region. The area is accessible by rail and bus from Lyon and Paris.

Accommodation

Lamastre - You spend 2 nights at the long-established family-run Hotel des Negociants (**Logis) in a quiet shady corner near the center of the small market town of Lamastre. Situated opposite the old railway station, stay in comfortable rooms with ensuite facilities. Excellent dinner is served in the conservatory-style dining room above the small swimming pool.

Meals

Dinner

day 2Le Crestet to Lamastre 14 km/8.6 miles, 4h

day 3Lamastre to Lalouvesc 23 km/14 miles, 7h

day 4Lalouvesc to St Bonnet le Froid 18 km/11 miles, 4.5h

day 5St Bonnet-le-Froid to St Agreve 22 km/13.5 miles, 6h

day 6St Agrève to St Martin de Valamas taxi back to St Agrève 12 km/7.4 miles, 5h

day 7St. Agrève to Lamastre 23 km/14 miles, 6h

day 8Arrangements end after breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

7 nights accommodation in country hotels on a twin share with ensuite facilities where possible

Meals

7 breakfasts, 7 dinners

Transport

Transfer start of day 2 to Le CrestetTransfer day 6 St Martin to St Agrève

Others

Digital information pack including navigational appOne piece of luggage per person transferred between your accommodation, not exceeding 20kgGPX files on request

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.7 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 243 reviews for other tours with an average 4.7rating.

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Highlights