High above the celebrated vineyards of Cornas and St Péray, your first guest house awaits you in the calm of a plateau at 600 metres overlooking the Valley of the Rhône. Fine walks to look forward to, along with the clear air of forest and meadow. To the west the first volcanic hills of the Ardèche may be seen. To the East, beyond the valley, the Alps stretch from Mont Ventoux to the snowy summit of Mont Blanc.
Dinner and night in a traditional Ardèche farm guest house.
D2
Loop walk out from Champis and back
6.5 km with total uphill around 100m - an outing of about 2hrs30.
This first outing is a circular walk that helps you get to know your travelling companion, the donkey. All along the way you'll enjoy superb views over the Rhône valley as you wind through the vineyards and woods. Towards the end of the day, your route is along a little narrow road punctuated left and right by beautiful old stone-built farmhouses.
Dinner and night in the chambre d'hôtes.
D3
From Champis to Alboussière
13.2 km with total uphill 360m. Duration about 4hrs45.
Weaving its way along the line of the ridges between the plateau of the Ardèche and the Rhône Valley. It offers fine panoramic views of the pre-Alps and the Rhône Valley to the east and the Massif Central to the west.
Evening dinner and night in 3 épis guest house with pool.
D4
From Alboussière to Saint Sylvestre
13km with total uphill 256m. Duration around 4hrs30.
A pleasant walk with a succession of extensive farm pasture and dense forests in which one imagines with ease the old legends which inhabit these woods...
This easy circuit is on the plateau of the Ardèche, at 500 to 600m altitude.
Dinner and night in a traditional Ardèche farm guest house.
D5
From Saint Sylvestre to Champis
7.4 km with total uphill 300m. Duration around 3hrs.
Fine stretch between St Sylvestre and Le Mazel. Along the Serre Long at 600m altitude, the view is fantastic over the pre-Alps and Provence. In clear weather, the Ecrins, Mont ventoux and even Mont Blanc ranges are visible from this lofty perch.
Also possible: a return trek up to the Belvédère du Pic (viewpoint).
Round trip transfer from Home to the first accomodation
Facultative cancellation and repatriation insurance
Characteristics of circuits
Walking holiday with a donkey, suitable for families.
Children of 4 and over can usually manage.
Daily stages: 7,3 to 13,2 km (3 to 4,45 hrs walk) daily.
Total daily uphill: 202 - 360 metres.
Altitude from 350 to 700 metres .
Organisation
These walks are much more about relaxed exploration than athletic performance. Your roadbook will guide you from beginning to end, and at each stage you'll find a place for the donkey to drink, eat and rest. We provide the logistical and technical support necessary.
Leading a pack donkey: travelling with a donkey is a superb way of enjoying a family walking holiday at the slow rhythm of the animal. They are great company for children and adults alike.
Nevertheless you should bear in mind a few commonsense safety principles. The donkey's role is to carry your baggage for the day (or the whole trip in the case of short stays). It can also, under your supervision and at your own risk, carry the children one-at-a time if they start to feel too tired, provided 1) they are over 5 years old; 2) the terrain is even, and that 3) the donkey's total load is less than 40 kilograms. Looking after a donkey requires some attention, which is why we only provide one donkey per family per holiday.
Accommodation (3 'épis' guest houses) has been chosen for its atmosphere, warm welcome and environmental and architectural excellence.
N.B : the accommodation described above is given as an indication and may vary according to availability at the moment your reservation is finalized.
Accès
By car
Highway A7 - 18 km
By air
Marseille-Provence airport or Lyon St-Exupéry airport + train to Valence ville + bus (see below)
By train
Valence-ville railway station then by bus to the bus stop Le Fringuet (Champis) by the bus line 6 Valence - Vernoux
Comments
Global note
5.0
A superb five day adventure with the most wonderful hosts and cuisine.
High above the celebrated vineyards of Cornas and St Péray, your first guest house awaits you in the calm of a plateau at 600 metres overlooking the Valley of the Rhône. Fine walks to look forward to, along with the clear air of forest…
Here is an invitation to venture into the remote wild beauty of the Ardèche and plunge into its distant past. In a natural environment where man seems to have left but a passing trace, you'll weave among the rocks between swallowholes and…
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