Guided hiking weekend with a donkey at the source of the Loire
How about taking advantage of the May bank holidays to go hiking with a donkey in the Ardèche?
During these long weekends in May, in the heart of spring, you'll discover the wild landscapes of the Ardèche mountains, on the high plateaus where the Loire River originates. Accompanied by a mountain guide and donkeys carrying your luggage, you'll hike along gentle, accessible trails, perfect for a getaway with family or friends.
The route crosses high-altitude pastures, dormant volcanoes, and valleys where the first streams of the Loire meander. Between discovering volcanism, observing wildlife, and interpreting the landscape, the hike also becomes an immersion in the history and nature of the Massif Central.
This short stay is specially designed for the long weekends of May , an ideal time to enjoy the Ardèche mountains in bloom and the still tranquil wide open spaces.
A beautiful nature break to escape for a few days… at the peaceful pace of the donkey.
The highlights of the stay
- A weekend hiking trip with a donkey, perfect for the May bank holidays
- Guided hike with pack donkeys
- Discover the volcanoes of the Ardèche Mountains and the landscapes of the Regional Natural Park.
- Walking along the sources of the Loire, between high plateaus and wild rivers.
- A stay accessible to families, with a guide who shares the secrets of the territory.
The highlights of this hiking trip
- A guided hiking weekend at the source of the Loire in the heart of the volcanic landscapes of Ardèche
- An immersive experience accompanied by a donkey and a passionate guide to understand nature and the land
- Exceptional panoramas between volcanic plateaus, Mont Gerbier de Jonc and the high plateaus of the Ardèche
- An accessible and gradual route (2.5 to 4.5 hours of walking) ideal for discovering hiking with a donkey
- A rich experience combining wildlife observation, landscape interpretation, and the discovery of volcanism.
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Destination
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Start time
Burzet (07450) -
Departure time
9:00 -
Arriving time
17:00 -
Equipment
Helmets are mandatory for children
Picture gallery
Day 1
First steps with donkeys and a hike to Sagnes-et-Goudoulet
Meet in the early afternoon at the Pré du Bois farm , the starting point of your adventure. After meeting the donkeys and receiving advice on guiding and carrying luggage, you'll set off on your first warm-up walk.
The hike passes through the ridges of the Pra Pouzol viewpoints , an ideal place for landscape reading and understanding the volcanic geology of the Ardèche Mountains.
The path then descends gently towards the village of Sagnes-et-Goudoulet , where you spend the night in a gîte.
Accommodation in a small dormitory for 6 people.
Afternoon activities: Peat bog, works of the Water Sharing project, discovery of volcanism, landscape reading.
Distance 6,5 km, 2h30 walking time. Elevation gain: 165 m, Elevation loss: 155 m
Day 2
From the Ardèche volcanoes to the Loire Valley
You're off for a beautiful day of hiking through the open landscapes of the Ardèche highlands.
The trail joins the plateau of Coux , an ancient table volcano offering superb panoramas of the Ardèche mountains and the famous Mont Gerbier de Jonc.
The hike then crosses several streams that feed the Loire before joining the paths that run alongside the river to the village of Sainte-Eulalie.
Accommodation in a comfortable holiday cottage.
Activities during the day: Marmot watching, discovering volcanism, landscape reading.
Distance 11 km. 4h30 hike. Elevation gain: 360m, Elevation loss: 380m
Day 3
Back to the volcanic plateaus
For this final stage, you cross the Loire before reaching the open landscapes of Mont Mézy , a vast volcanic plateau covered with pastures.
As you walk, your guide will talk about the lives of the old farmers and muleteers who used to travel these mountains to transport goods between villages.
After crossing the Padelle , a small tributary of the Loire, you will find the Pré du Bois farm where your hiking weekend ends.
End of stay around 16pm
Activities for the day: History of the Ardèche mountains. Observation of birds of prey and river birds. Discovery of signs of wildlife along the Padelle river.
Distance 7 km. 3h30 hike. Elevation gain: 150 m, Elevation loss: 170 m.
Why hike with a donkey?
First and foremost: the pleasure. Before being a pack animal, a donkey is a companion for travel and hiking. A word of advice to those who might want to hire a donkey simply because they're fed up with carrying their pack: choose another way to transport your gear. Throughout your journey, it will particularly appreciate cuddles and displays of affection and will reciprocate. You'll quickly realize that a bond forms between you and your donkey. As for children, they're instantly captivated. What's more, with its playful and theatrical nature, the donkey will entertain you with its comedic talents. It loosens tongues and opens doors for you. In short, it brings a soul to your hike.
Secondly: the pace. There's a lot of nonsense circulating about this. Let's remember, a donkey moves at a steady pace of between 2.5 and 4 km/h. If you're looking to achieve athletic feats and break speed records, don't go hiking with a donkey! The appeal of hiking with a donkey lies precisely in this pace: it's slow and steady. It allows you to appreciate the hike, the scenery, the wildlife, the flora... It's a chance to relax and take your time. And above all, it's an ideal pace for children!
This hike is guided:
This hike is guided by a state-certified mountain guide. The mountain guide leads groups of all levels in the mid-mountain region, both on and off-trail, adhering to all safety regulations. They also introduce participants to the flora and fauna of the natural environments, as well as the heritage and history of the local inhabitants, landscapes, and mountains traversed. The guide is the group's primary contact and will be available to assist them.
listening to your expectations or minor concerns inherent to hiking.
Group:
From 5 participants. Grouping of individuals into groups, maximum 12 people.
Prioritize the conviviality of your group by forming a group of at least 4 people and choose your departure date outside of the scheduled program. Supplement €50 per person
Suitable from 7-8 years old depending on physical condition.
Carrying equipment and your luggage:
Luggage is transported by donkeys. We plan for one donkey for 4 to 5 people with a maximum load of 8 kg per person.
Each donkey is equipped with a pack saddle consisting of two large bags with a total capacity of 120 to 130 liters (the equivalent of two backpacks). However, bring some plastic bags or waterproof soft bags to protect your belongings from moisture. You can also add one or two additional bags to the pack saddle (a sturdy travel bag, hiking bag, or tube bag). Keep in mind that it's always better to have four, five, or six small containers rather than two large, impractical bags for the large pockets.
Furthermore, it is possible to place bulky items such as clothes, sleeping bags, etc., above these two pockets.
To do this, plan to bring thin straps or bungee cords. The weight the donkey can carry will therefore be 35 to 40 kg.
NB: excess weight will be carried by the participants or can always, in any case, remain at the starting accommodation.
Even though the donkey is there to carry your luggage, you should still bring one or two small backpacks to hold your water bottle, purse and any fragile items, such as a camera.
Can we bring our dog?
No dogs allowed on this hike
€ 410 per adult
€350 per child between 7 and 10 years old
Dates for this stay:
01 to 03 May 2026.
08 to 10 May 2026.
14 to 16 May 2026.
23 to 25 May 2026.
The price includes
- Full board accommodation from picnic lunch on day 1 to picnic lunch on day 3 (Wine and coffee included with meals)
- Supervision by a state-certified mountain guide
- Donkeys and pack equipment
- The visits scheduled in the program
The price does not include
- Transportation to and from the meeting point
- Round-trip transfer to/from Aubenas bus station
- Drinks outside of meals and personal expenses
- multi-risk insurance
The options :
- Additional night before or after the stay:
- Half-board at the Pré du Bois bivouac (Night in a tipi/tent): €42/adult, €34/child under 11. Mattress provided. Bring your own sleeping bag.
- Half-board in a gîte d'étape: €65 / adult, €52 / child under 11 years old
- Half board in a guest room / Hotel €94 / adult, €70 child under 11 years old
- Round-trip transfer from Aubenas bus station: €75 per person (based on 2 people)
- Sleeping bag rental for overnight bivouac: €10/person