Aizac crater

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During this walk starting at the Aizac pass, you will reach the summit of the Aizac volcano, the Etna of the Monts d'Ardèche Park, and see on your way the various parts of the volcano, thanks to very clear interpretive boards.

We are offering you a walk on our very own Etna. Climbing up a volcano is always an intense experience, but when you can also get to know it better, the walk takes on a new meaning. From the Aizac pass, you will reach the top of the volcano and on the way, study its various parts, thanks to interpretive boards. You will see, one after the other, the granite bedrock, vesicular rocks, grey ejecta, red ejecta, and the path dug by the lava flow. Simple geological sections will help you understand your progress. Two other fields of activity will be evoked, with their relationship to the rocky substrate : water catchment and pine felling. If the Aizac crater walk is open all year round, it is at its most beautiful in the autumn, when chestnut burs crunch underfoot and the leaves have fallen, opening beautiful sights on the valleys and volcanoes around.

Description

From the parking lot, take the path on the left of the house that climbs among chestnut trees. After a few dozen meters, you will come to a beautiful chesnut grove, and to a board. You will then pass the Aizac water catchment area.
At the next crossways, take the path on your left (past the second board). The path continues downhill under chestnut trees. In the valley bottom, you will find the third board. Go past it and start going uphill. Underfoot, the scoriaes are more and more numerous. After a few dozen meters, you will enter the volcanoes public forest.
At the crossways, turn left and pass the fourth board. Huge pine trees will for a while replace chestnut trees. After 400 m, you will reach board 5. The landscape opens on the Antraïgues valley.
After 250 m, at another crossways, take the path uphill on your right. After 300 m, the path turns left. You will reach board 8, then board 6, 50 m away.
Continue uphill, straight ahead. The top is 500 m away. The higher you get, the narrower is the ridge. The crater rim is only a few meters wide.
At the top, a bench, board 7 and a stunning view will greet you. You can see the Aizac and Juvinas passes one behind the other, on one side, and the Craux and Gourdon volcanoes on the other, as well as the Coiron plateau.
Retrace your steps to board 8 and there, take the path downhill on the left (midway between boards 6 and 8). This path is rather steep in the chestnut trees, with a bend on the right followed by a curve on the left. At the crossways just before board 4, carry on straight ahead and start going downhill to the Aizac path, your starting point.

Departure : At Aizac, go to the left of the square and houses. The path soon goes up among chesnut trees.
Towns crossed : AIZAC and ASPERJOC

Altimetric profile

Access and parking

From Antraïgues, take the road D254 up to the pass.

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