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NederlandsInformations about the App Rando Ardèche Hemritage
The app is very easy to use and makes it very simple to find your path. There is a wide choice of walking tours but also bike, mountain bike and electric bike tours. But how to choose between all these options? It is very simple, a few filters are available to help you define your researches: tour duration, difficulty, starting point, elevation gain... And then? You choose according to your needs! Do you prefer beautiful points of view, cultural heritage (castle, chapel...), or preserved natural areas? Follow the guide. It is the little GPS point (blue in the map) that shows your progress on the route thanks to the geolocalisation. So handy!
For me, this app is a must have! I immediately chose the Saint Sorny hike in Colombier le Vieux. I also tried the tour "The Castle Circuits" in Arlebosc and the "The Marchand pass" in Pailharès that I strongly recommend!
Chloé tested for you the Saint Sorny hike
The Saint Sorny hike, an ideal family tour to discover the Daronne valley.
This lovely 4.4km loop will takes you at the heart of the Daronne valley, starting in the Combe de Beaune pass near Colombier le Vieux, 25 minutes from Tournon sur Rhône. On the parking lot, you will find the starting point thanks to a yellow sign.
The Saint Sorny walk is a very nice stroll, accessible to all since it has an elevation gain of only 233 meters. The path is wide and comfortable, but be cautious and take a good pair of shoes ! On the path you will also find an interpretation trail that both children and adults will enjoy. You will dive in the heart of one of the richest and most secret natural site: the Daronne valley ! Newly certified "Espace naturel Sensible" (Sensitive natural area) by the Ardèche Region, the Darrone valley has a lot of secrets to reveal...
I discovered this hike during lockdown, when in France we could only get out a few hours in a restricted area. It was an ideal 1h30 long walk! I also loved do it again a few months later. The Saint Sorny hike is a shaded path all along, because it's in the middle of a chestnut tree, oak tree and Scots pine forest. The path is slightly going down, it is wide, with a few rocks but nothing difficult. We discover fauna and flora of this area located between two rivers : the Doux and the Darrone. The valley is an important sanctuary for biodiversity because the access is complicated: only a few marked paths will get you to this preserved area. After a few kilometers, we reach a beautifull little Chapel of the Saint Sorny hamlet. But be carreful, it is a private property! The Chapel has a free access for a visit: built in the 13th century, it welcomes a pilgrimage on the Easter day with no interruption since 1673.
By continuing on the left, we discovered the suspension footbridge above the Daronne River. The must see of the Saint Sorny hike! Don' panic if you have a fear of heights, the bridge is quite low. When the weather is hot, the River water makes us want to soak your feet! I tested it: the water was fresh but it was very enjoyable! The spot is also very quiet and clear: ideal for a pic-nick on the hedges of the river. For a successful break, you need a well-packed backpack! To preserve this sensitive area, it is also very important to take your trashes back with you.
We can not stay on this ideal spot forever... we have to continue our path! Be careful, in the Saint Sorny hike you do not have to cross the footbridge! We went back to the path that took us to the chapel, and we turned on our right. Our tour continues in the heart of the forest, where we find tipical regional trees. A few chestnuts, cultivated here a long time ago... the oldest remains of chestnut trees in Ardeche are 25 millions years old! Scots pines, the singing tree, was cultivated to support the coalmine tunels near Saint Etienne. And finaly a few holm oaks.
Our path leaves the forest to join the fields and end in a small road joining our starting point. It is the only very sunny part of our hike: you need to take a cap or a hat.
I see my car in the distance, I'm almost there! This little 4kms hike is a little pleasure to do again and again with family and friends! I know some inhabitants of the region do their jogging on it! Most of the time it is "trailers" training for a race, but not only...
Pratical informations
The starting point of this hike might be a bit complicated to find because Google Maps, Waze or Mappy do not indicate precisely the Combe de Beaunepass. You have in fact to go at the very end of the Combe de Beaune road, at the Fauzas road junction. If you write "534 Fauzas 07410 Colombier le Vieux", your GPS will takes you directly at the starting point of the hike!
Be careful, the Saint Sorny hike does not require you to cross the footbridge, it is just a detour to enjoy this beautiful spot.
If you stay near Saint Félicien, try the "Le Raillon" hike, that you can also find on our app!
Wath a nice discovery! I hope you enjoyed it and that it gave you the desire to put on your hiking shoes, to download the Rando Ardèche Hermitage app, and to start the Saint Sorny hike!
For other tour ideas in nature, discover our monthly hike selection!
