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Secret France: Walking in the Ardeche - 8 Days

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.

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 1 - Arrive 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 2 - Le Crestet to Lamastre 14 km/8.6 miles, 4h

Your days starts with a short taxi journey (included) to Le Crestet. You then climb out of the village on a waymarked trail through orchards into wooded hills. The shady path follows an ancient drove road, where flocks would be transferred to the summer pastures in days gone by. Ascent 531m/Descent 600m

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

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

Views back over Lamastre as you climb out of the valley on a well-graded path. At around lunch time you arrive at the pretty village of Nozieres. Further woodland and field walking brings you to the Col de Buisson from where there is a steep ascent up onto a long open whaleback ridge before a final forest walk into Lalouvesc. There are glimpses into steep little valleys and views across towards the Alps on a clear day. Ascent 1138m/Descent 426m

Accommodation:Lalouvesc is perched at an altitude of 1100m and enjoys splendid views across the Rhone Valley to the distant Alps. Our simple walker’s hotel (*) Hotel des Voyageurs has ensuite facilities. It is located in the main street of this old spa town. The Patron, M.Guironnet, is a welcoming host and you will eat well in the 1950’s décor of the large dining room.
Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

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

Steep terraced slopes fall away to the South as you descend into a wooded valley, and the views are particularly good from the church at St. Pierre du Doux, an excellent spot for a picnic, you then have a climb through forest to the pretty village of St. Bonnet where the normal hotel is a couple of kilometers out. Ascent 723m/Descent 676m

Accommodation:St Bonnet-le Froid - You enter the department of Haute-Loire tonight, you spend the night in an old country farmhouse the Auberge des Myrtilles that has been restored and sits in the heart of nature. The restaurant offers traditional cuisine based on local products.
Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

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

A lightly undulating day in woodland and high open country past Lac de Devesset to St Agreve (pop 2723) at 1050m under Mt. Chiniac There are some great views when it is clear. You can extend the walk slightly by visiting the holy spring. Ascent 314m/Descent 371m

Accommodation:St.Agreve - We spend 2 nights at the Hotel Le Bois Sauvage. It is set in one acre of wooded park,between the upper Doux Valley, the Eyrieux Valley and the Haut-Lignon Plateau.
Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

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

This is a stunning walk to the village of St Martin de Valamas taking in the amazing views from the ruins of the Chateau de Rochebonne which are not to be missed. Taxi back to St Agrève (included). Ascent 284m/Descent 769m

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

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

Leaving the high plain of St. Agreve by small paths you join an ancient mule-road, whose paved causeway can still be seen. The old village of Desaignes is worth exploring, then the trail follows the high ground overlooking the valley of Doux before dropping to the river to regain Lamastre. Ascent 422m/Descent 1083m

Accommodation:Lamastre and the Hotel des Negociants.
Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 8 - Arrangements end after breakfast

Depart Lamastre after breakfast

Meals:Breakfast
Secret France: Walking in the Ardeche - 8 Days

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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 Premier Premier tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 237 reviews for other tours with an average 4.7rating.

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