Hamlets between the rivers Ligne and Lande from Chassiers

The starting point is at the entrance to the Camping des Ranchisses on the right-hand side heading towards Chassiers when coming from Largentière. At the second hairpin bend, there is parking available at the side of the road.

Yellow and white markings

(S/E) Take the path leading uphill to the right at the hairpin bend, signposted “Chassiers”. Walk along the right-hand side of the hamlet of Coulens to join a small road for 300 m before taking the path on the right towards the ruined Saint-Joseph Chapel.

(1) Turn left onto the road that climbs, lined with vineyards, for about 400 m and take the path on the right towards the hamlet of Les Combes, with a beautiful view over the southern Ardèche.

(2) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the road on the left, passing to the left of a small pond as you leave the hamlet. Continue to a crossroads with four paths.

(3) Take the left-hand path. You will leave the marked trail for about 200 metres before joining a new marked path on the right towards the Croix des Flachères.

No signposting, a few signs

(4) Follow the path on the right, which is relatively flat (another path branches off further to the left, heading uphill, but is private). The path is narrow, stony and sometimes steep, but not particularly difficult. It runs alongside olive groves.

(5) Reach the panoramic viewpoint over the hamlet of Montquoquiol and the southern Ardèche as far as Mont Ventoux. On a clear day, you can also see the Vercors, the Trois Becs massif and the Ecrins. At the stone cross, take the path on the right towards the hamlet, crossing it as you walk past the terraced houses: the Dupuy family, several generations of bell founders from the 16th century, once lived here.

(6) Turn onto the path on the right, which winds steeply past a patch of vines and joins a small road. Then turn left at the sign for “La Davalade”. You will arrive near a road.

Yellow and white markings

(7) 20 metres before the road, turn right, following the markings to reach the very pretty hamlet of La Davalade.

(8) In the centre of the hamlet, the path continues to the left, crossing the road and running alongside a public car park. The path descends (La Davalade) towards the Lande valley to the Moulin de la Lande. Before heading down, you can admire a magnificent oak tree 200 metres to the right, which lines the road as you leave the hamlet.

(9) Once you reach the road in the La Lande valley, you have two options:
- either head to the point (10) by following the road to the left for 700 m towards the River La Lande.
- or head directly to the point (11) on the right to climb back up to Chassiers.

No signposting

(10) La Lande, with a small, shaded reservoir and a ford: it’s the perfect spot to stop for a refreshment, a swim or a picnic. Retrace your steps back to the Moulin de Lande.

(9) Continue straight on to the bridge.

Yellow and white markings

(11) At the bend in the road, take the path on the right, which leads to Chassiers through the forest by following the markings. Continue until you reach a road.

(12) Follow it to the left until you reach a main road, Route de Béthanie.

No signposts

(13) Continue to the right; the road is a little busier and leads to the centre of Chassiers, a pretty square at the foot of the church with a bar and a shaded terrace where you can stop for a drink.

Yellow and white signposting

(14) Leave the square, following the signposting through the narrow streets of Chassiers, and you’ll arrive at the Chapelle Saint-Benoit.

(15) Take the paved slanting street du Bois on the right and turn right onto the street leading to the fortified church of Saint-Hilaire.

(16) Retrace your steps and go up the street on the right to the Place de l’École.

(17) At the end of the square, walk along the left-hand side of the cemetery to follow the signposted path which takes you back down to Largentière via the hamlet of Les Fourniols.

Red and white markings

(18) Take the old Chemin des Muletiers on the right, which runs alongside the Ligne valley and takes you back to the starting point (S/E).

• Wear sturdy shoes, as there are a few rocky sections.
• Bring water and a hat, especially in hot weather. Most of the walk is shaded, except for a few sections, particularly on the small roads.
• Bring a swimsuit; there is a chance to go for a swim halfway through the walk (10).

• Panoramic views of the Cévennes, the southern Ardèche, Mont Ventoux and the Alps on a clear day, of course.
• Pass through numerous hamlets, generally well-maintained and authentic.
• You’ll pass through the region’s typical countryside: chestnut groves, olive trees and vineyards.
• The charming village of Chassiers.