Things to Do around Issarlès
Issarlès is a region in the Ardèche department of southern France, characterized by its unique volcanic geology and mid-mountain landscapes. The area features the deep crater lake, Lac d'Issarlès, formed by ancient volcanic activity, and is surrounded by lush forests and distinctive basaltic flows. Nestled within the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park, Issarlès offers diverse terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Issarlès
Issarlès provides a range of outdoor…
76
Routes
4.3
(128)
Average rating
1297
People visited
4.6
(36)
447
hikers
3.91km
01:04
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(12)
106
hikers
14.4km
04:48
490m
490m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
4.4
(5)
20
hikers
12.4km
03:39
350m
350m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(4)
10
hikers
19.2km
06:06
610m
610m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(6)
62
runners
3.91km
00:29
60m
60m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(3)
21
runners
13.5km
01:40
390m
390m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
17
runners
9.64km
01:05
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
9
runners
8.89km
00:59
210m
210m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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16
riders
82.9km
04:27
1,650m
1,650m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.5
(2)
65
riders
37.3km
02:07
760m
760m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.0
(1)
33
riders
57.9km
03:22
1,230m
1,230m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(1)
22
riders
35.3km
01:51
620m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(5)
23
riders
51.8km
03:51
1,190m
1,190m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
21
riders
23.7km
02:12
570m
570m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
4.7
(3)
17
riders
41.3km
03:01
920m
920m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
16
riders
40.3km
02:53
840m
840m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
21
riders
51.1km
04:44
1,140m
1,140m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.3
(3)
14
riders
42.2km
04:00
1,060m
1,060m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.3
(3)
12
riders
26.5km
02:26
670m
670m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
3
riders
25.2km
02:14
560m
560m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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17
riders
118km
09:18
2,210m
2,210m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
riders
39.4km
03:18
870m
880m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
43.1km
03:05
940m
940m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
4
riders
22.2km
01:30
420m
420m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Most popular attractions in Issarlès
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Issarlès?
Issarlès offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. The region's volcanic terrain and forests provide diverse routes for all these sports. Explore specific options through komoot guides such as Hiking around Issarlès or MTB Trails around Issarlès.
What is Lac d'Issarlès?
Lac d'Issarlès is a crater lake formed by a phreatomagmatic explosion approximately 60,000 years ago, making it the deepest maar crater in France. It is situated at an altitude of about 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) and features clear waters. A 2.2-mile (3.6 km) shaded footpath encircles the lake.
Are there hiking trails in Issarlès?
Yes, Issarlès features 38 hiking trails. A popular option is the 2.2-mile (3.6 km) loop around Lac d'Issarlès. For more challenging hikes, a 6.2-mile (10 km) trail with a 1,500-foot (460m) altitude difference leads to the summit of Suc de Cherchemuse. More routes are detailed in the Hiking around Issarlès guide.
Are there mountain biking trails in Issarlès?
The volcanic landscapes and forested paths of Issarlès are suitable for mountain biking. There are at least seven circuits designed for mountain biking, varying in length and difficulty. Information on these routes can be found in the MTB Trails around Issarlès guide.
What cycling routes are available in Issarlès?
Issarlès offers routes for touring cycling, road cycling, and gravel biking. Popular touring routes include the Lac d'Issarlès – Col de Gage loop (25.3 miles / 40.7 km) and the Mont Gerbier de Jonc – Gerbier de Jonc Pass loop (31.9 miles / 51.4 km). Explore more options in the Cycling around Issarlès guide.
Are there easy or family-friendly trails in Issarlès?
The 2.2-mile (3.6 km) loop trail around Lac d'Issarlès is relatively easy and suitable for walking and jogging, making it a good option for families. This shaded and marked footpath offers pleasant views of the lake. Other trails may vary in difficulty.
What are the main natural features to explore in Issarlès?
Key natural features include Lac d'Issarlès, a deep crater lake, and the Suc de Cherchemuse, an ancient volcano overlooking the lake. The region also showcases distinctive basaltic flows, particularly visible in the Vallée de la Veyradeyre, and is part of the Monts d'Ardèche Regional Nature Park.
How popular is Issarlès for outdoor activities on komoot?
Issarlès is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 6,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
What komoot guides are available for Issarlès?
Komoot offers several guides for Issarlès, including Hiking around Issarlès, Running Trails around Issarlès, MTB Trails around Issarlès, Cycling around Issarlès, Road Cycling Routes around Issarlès, and Gravel biking around Issarlès.
How can I find official information or contact Issarlès authorities?
The official tourism website for the Montagne d'Ardèche, which covers Issarlès, is montagnedardeche.com. For local inquiries, the Mairie (town hall) of Issarlès can be reached at +33 (0)4 66 46 21 47 or +33 (0)4 66 46 20 06.
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