Straddling the Cévennes and a chain of ancient volcanoes, the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park covers more than 2,280 km², spanning 152 communes and nearly 83,000 residents, from the Vernoux plateau to the peaks of the Mézenc massif. Recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2015 for its exceptional geological heritage, this vast mid-mountain territory was officially created in 2001, following a project launched back in 1992 by local chestnut growers — the region's emblematic crop. It's a place for hiking, centuries-old chestnut groves, discreet wildlife and landscapes that shift with every mountain pass. From Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, allow about 46 minutes' drive to reach the heart of the Park.
A land shaped by chestnuts and volcanoes
Long known as the "bread tree", the chestnut has shaped the economy and terraced landscapes of the Monts d'Ardèche for centuries, and remains a defining local product, celebrated every autumn with village chestnut festivals across the area. The Park also preserves traces of some of France's youngest and best-preserved volcanic activity, with strombolian cones, lava flows and basalt organ formations telling a geological story millions of years in the making — the very richness that earned it UNESCO Global Geopark status.
Hiking and nature along the trails
The Park is a vast playground for walkers, crossed by the GR7 long-distance trail and a wide network of marked paths linking conifer forests, bare ridgelines and stone hamlets. Wildlife here is discreet but present — roe deer, birds of prey, and in places mouflon sheep — alongside mid-mountain flora where wild blueberries grow among the broom. Every season gives the Park a different face, from golden chestnut groves in autumn to flower-strewn summer pastures.
Good to know before your visit
The Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park is vast and hilly: it's best to focus on one area — the Cévennes, the Mézenc, or the Boutières — rather than trying to see everything in a single day. Mountain roads can be narrow, so drive carefully, especially outside summer. From Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, allow about 46 minutes' drive to reach the Park's first foothills, a great destination for a day of hiking or a scenic drive through the Cévenol landscape.
Practical information from Les Cabritas
- Distance from Saint-Alban-Auriolles: about 46 min drive
- Best time to visit: Year-round depending on the activity, with spring, summer and autumn (chestnut season) especially rewarding
- Ideal for: hikers, nature lovers, families, fans of local food and produce
Want to discover The Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park from your Ardèche gîte?
Les Cabritas Sud-Ardèche welcomes you in Saint-Alban-Auriolles, in the heart of Southern Ardèche, for a comfortable stay with a private pool, just steps from the region's most beautiful sites.
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