A fidgety bike, curious calves, and the Ardèche stretching out, full of secret bends. We look up: the valleys are deep, the chestnut trees whisper, and the dormant volcanoes pretend not to see us coming... Come on, let's go!
Ferrat, brakes and a little thrill of departure
I click my pedals in the village square ; Jean Ferrat whispers a song to me from his nearby house, and the little red angel on the fountain winks at me. A gentle descent into the Montée du Portail , a crossroads redolent of chestnut jam, and the rustic grocery store calls out a "hello!" The road, confident in its course, runs straight ahead, glides beneath my wheels, and slopes down to the Dupont bridge . There, the brakes have sung their first solo.
It's a quiet climb (promise, no swear)
Once across the bridge, the road gently rises. It's the climb to Genestelle : not a wall, more like a treadmill for motivated calves. The bends come one after another, the forest opens up, and suddenly, there's the Col de Genestelle, 648 m . A short detour is possible (500 m round trip) through the village to admire the church steeple and enjoy the cool shade of the narrow streets, then back to the pass. Legs are warm, and so is the smile.
Craux my beautiful castle, hellish descent!
We turn right, heading towards the Château de Craux . The road dips and approaches a 10% gradient : caution is advised, the tight bends are taken like parentheses. The hamlets of Rochegude and then Valgironne pass by, perched on their terraces. In the distance, the volcanic stones of the castle shimmer in the sunlight, before the road smoothly carries me to the Pont Neuf, which spans the Volane River.
The laces of glory (or almost)
Turn left onto the main road, thirty pedal strokes, and then, a small road to the right: the switchbacks pile up. Each turn reveals a glimpse of the landscape. It climbs, it makes your backside laugh, and suddenly the Grange Sagnard appears, a broad, sturdy smile.
A curious option: head to Thieure (3,5 km round trip) to hear a rooster crow among the golden stones.
Chestnuts, volcanoes and a wow view!
From Le Fau to La Brugère , the road climbs between chestnut groves and pastures, then stretches along the shoulder of the Vernadel mountain . A must-see: the Volane valley opens up wide, the Craux volcano juts out, and in the distance, the Ardèche mountains are a vibrant blue. Another gentle incline, and the Coulet cross comes into view. Turn left, walk alongside the peaceful cemetery, and at the end, the square culminates in a crusty bread oven and a breathtaking view over the Besorgues valley . Deep breaths, eternal memories… then turn back along the same path to Grange Sagnard.
Between moss and tar, a gentle descent
Back at the crossroads, straight ahead: the road cuts through Cupiat , winds under the thick canopy of the forest and descends to the hamlet of Le Serret . The brakes resume their little serenade and the air smells of wet ferns.
Elbow grease and bitumen on a gentle slope
The road climbs steeply to the RD254 . Turn right, the slope eases: keep going, let it flow, it almost feels flat. Two bends later, there's the Pont de l'Huile . The Volane River babbles under the arches. Stop sign: RD578 opposite.
The stinging finale… but with a built-in waterfall
We carefully cross the main road and head almost directly opposite: the Montée de la Croisette . The tarmac climbs, our calves ache, but a viewpoint overlooking the Espissard waterfall offers an excuse to catch our breath and learn a few secrets from the information panel. A few more bends: the blue shutters of Antraigues come into view, and the Place de la Résistance completes the loop. Our legs are tingling, and so is our heart. The hidden Ardèche region thanks you, and you say, "See you soon!"
After the effort, the discoveries
You've just climbed, descended, admired, and breathed. Now it's time for some gentler times. Antraigues still has a few surprises in store for you to extend your ride in a different way. Whether you're in the mood for a cultural immersion, a gourmet break, or a simple stroll, here are our ideas for enjoying the after-bike experience.
July 10 - July 12 , 2026
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