Marcols-les-Eaux: Hiking and Cultural History

Marcols-les-Eaux is a good fit for a trip where hiking and cultural history both play a part. Two hikes differ considerably in duration, distance and ascent, and there are also several ways to explore the subjects of mineral water and silk. When looking for a hotel, it may be helpful to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: are you mainly planning time for a hike, or would you also like to explore the exhibitions and the history of silk processing? The differences below provide a concrete starting point for your planning.

Hiking to Rocher de Don

The hike to Rocher de Don starts at Marcols-les-Eaux town hall. From there, follow the signs to Rocher. The hike takes four hours, covers 11.5 kilometres and involves 430 metres of ascent. Yellow-and-white markings indicate the route. The starting point, trail markings and time required give you concrete points of reference for fitting this hike into your day.

To Champ de Mars: a longer route with seasonal restrictions

The hike to Champ de Mars is accessible only from the end of May to October. It takes 5.5 hours, covers 18 kilometres and involves 550 metres of ascent; yellow-and-white and yellow-and-red markings indicate the route. It follows the Sentier des Marcolais, crosses the Glueyre River and continues to the hamlet of Mauras. Along the way, the route passes through the basin at the end of the Glueyre Valley and remarkable beech forests; it also offers panoramic views across the Monts d’Ardèche. The hike combines clear route details with a succession of varied landscapes.

Compared directly, the hike to Champ de Mars takes 1.5 hours longer, is 6.5 kilometres longer and involves 120 additional metres of ascent. If you are choosing between the two hikes, you can compare them mainly in terms of time required and distance. When planning the route to Champ de Mars, you should also take into account that it is accessible from the end of May to October.

View from the Don volcano

From the summit of the Don volcano, there are 360-degree views across the Parc des Monts d’Ardèche. This viewpoint adds a distinct landscape perspective to the hike descriptions.

Mineral water and the history of silk

The building at the Janvier spring houses the spring’s extraction well and a permanent exhibition about mineral waters. The exhibition “Dans le secret des bulles” presents the history of mineral waters in the Monts d’Ardèche in Marcols-les-Eaux. The subject therefore ranges from the actual extraction well to the history of mineral waters in the region.

The Moulinage de la Neuve offers a different cultural-history focus. It has been open to the public for guided tours since 2007. During the tours, the machines are put into operation; the Moulinage also preserves looms used to twist silk thread. Mineral water and the history of silk processing are thus distinct interests to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Vogüé, Bogy, St. Julien Du Serre, Satillieu, Saint-Prix, Saint-Maurice-D'ardèche, Saint-Marcel-Lès-Annonay, Labastide-De-Virac

Return to the regional travel overview: Ardèche.