Sunday hiker or seasoned walker? Here are a few golden rules to get you off to a good start. Because going for a walk is exhilarating, but to ensure the adventure remains smooth from start to finish, there are two or three reflexes to adopt, between caution, common sense, and respect for the place. Come on, let's slip all of this into your backpack:
1 – Hike with your head (and say where you’re going)
Go on an adventure, yes... but not just any old way. If you're going solo, remember to let someone know your itinerary. It's simple, but it can make a big difference. And of course, have an IGN map or hiking guide handy to avoid any overly creative detours.
2 – Plan large (water, batteries, sandwiches)
A good hike is first and foremost a well-prepared hike.
- Plenty of water, especially in summer.
- Outfit appropriate for the weather (one layer too many > one layer too few).
- A small lamp, a survival blanket.
- A good snack (if possible with a picodon in it).
- And your phone fully charged (in case of emergency, the 112 works even without a network. Magic).
3 – Respect the places (and their two- or four-legged inhabitants)
- The marked trails are there for you. The rest… often belongs to someone else (even in the middle of the forest).
- We close the barriers behind us, we hold on his dog on a leash, and keep your distance from the herds (even if a lamb looks at you with cute eyes).
- And we don't pick anything. Not even one chestnutExcept for the waste that someone else might have forgotten: there, you can let yourself go.
4 – Keep your beauty intact (and your selfies well framed)
A small bag to take your waste back in, it's not heavy, and it makes all the difference.
And if you come across goats or dreamy panoramas, don't forget your phone to immortalize them (after recharging the battery, we insist).
5 – Leave the barbecue at home 🔥
In Ardèche, we haven't yet reached the point of closing access to the mountains on windy days. So, if you don't mind, we'll all make sure that continues.
For example, lighting a fire on the ground and using a camping stove are strictly prohibited from June 15th to September 30th – (Fine: €750!). On forest paths, the use of fire and the production of fire (smoking, for example) are prohibited year-round by prefectural decree.
6 – The weather is your friend
Before you leave, make sure it's REALLY the right time. In the great outdoors, the elements can be very unleashed. And if once you're there, you have to turn back because the sky is turning sour... then turn back. Knowing when to give up is sometimes the best adventure.
Aubenas
Vals-les-Bains
Antraigues
Are these tips validated?
We gathered these recommendations from hiking and safety experts (with a few snippets from our own experience as well). In July 2025, the French Hiking Federation published a brand new Hiker's Charter. We definitely recommend you take a good look at it!
