HIking Trail "The Gens Cirque"
Itinerary details
The River Ardèche created this remarkable landscape by carving out deep gorges, where the cool and shade on the riverside contrasts with the sun-baked cliffs.
When you're opposite the Ruoms tourist office, turn right onto rue Millerand (towards Résidence le Méridien) for 300 m.
At the hiking signpost (1), turn left onto the Via Ardèche greenway for pedestrians and cyclists, direction “Pradons”.
At the “Le Champ du Gras” signpost (2), follow “Pradons 2.1 km” and stay on the greenway for another 600 m.
At the “Les petites Pièces” post (3), follow “Cirque de Gens 4.6 km”. Leave the voie verte to the left and take a small asphalt road to the hamlet of Mas du Grazel, where the road becomes a footpath leading down through the trees to the river Ardèche. The path takes you over large rocky slabs along the river. Around 300 m further on, a small sandy beach is well worth the detour (round trip 100 m to the right). The hiking trail then climbs up to the middle of the cliff, overhanging the river. You’ll need to be very careful here, especially with children!
At the bend, the path drops back down to the river. Follow the river over rocky slabs (impassable when the river is in flood). Vegetation gradually replaces the rocks.
Where the Ligne meets the Ardèche, the path rises again and passes close to the Beaume Grenas cave. If you have a flashlight, take a look – it’s well worth the detour! Then continue upwards along the wall-lined path to the Les Carrières junction.
At the “Les Carrières” post (4), follow the signs for “Ruoms 2.4 km”. The path widens at the old quarry buildings. You then come to a tarmac road. At the next junctions, continue on the main road until you reach the greenway.
At the “Le Champ Du Gras” post (2), follow “Ruoms 1.2 km” to the right on the “Via Ardèche” greenway.
At “Le Champ du Four” (1), follow “Info Rando 0.2 km” to the right. Rue Président Millerand takes you back to the starting point.
Vincent’s tip: in fine weather, take your swimsuit and enjoy the small sandy beach at the heart of the site, facing the cliffs. It’s a pleasant and refreshing place to swim. For heritage lovers, visit the old part of Ruoms with its beautiful church. 6 towers mark the site of the old ramparts.
White and yellow (PR)
