Burdignes: Forest Trails, Panoramic Views and Outdoor Activities

Burdignes combines wooded areas with open landscapes. From the open areas, views extend south towards the Cance valley and north towards the Déôme valley. The Forêt de Taillard stretches beyond Burdignes into neighbouring communes in the Loire, Ardèche and Haute-Loire departments. Those arriving in Burdignes from Ardèche enter the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat.

Forest and Natural Landscape

The heart of the Forêt de Taillard is classified as a ZNIEFF and is under special protection. It provides a habitat for rare bats, Tengmalm’s owls, pine martens, roe deer, wild boar and red kites. Its spread across several departments and its protected core give this natural area different scales: the vast forest landscape and the specific habitat of the species mentioned.

Hiking Trails in the Taillard Forest

The GR 65 and GR 7 cross the Forêt de Taillard; in total, ten kilometres of forest trails are available for hiking or trail running. The Sentier Ardéchois starts at Place du Bourg du Feu in Burdignes and is a way to explore the Ardèche side of the Parc du Pilat. This offers different options for choosing a route: forest trails for hiking or trail running, and exploration of the Ardèche side via the Sentier Ardéchois.

More Outdoor Activities

At Parcabout Alti'Fil, located in Burdignes, visitors can walk, climb and jump on nets suspended between trees several metres above the ground. Unlike hiking, the focus here is on the nets and moving at height. This clearly distinguishes the activity from a walking or trail-running route.

Multi-Day Trips on Foot or on Horseback

Les Sabots de la Vigne offers guided rides, horse-riding treks and multi-day horseback trips from Burdignes. The offer also includes two- or three-day circular tours without vehicle support. The two-day “Aux frontières de Taillard” tour runs from May to August by request.

A two-day family hike links Bourg-Argental and Burdignes. It can be reached without a car from Saint-Étienne or Annonay via bus routes L12 or L17; availability is seasonal. Check the timetables for the routes mentioned and seasonal availability for your travel dates.

When comparing multi-day options, duration matters as well as the mode of travel: the family hike is planned for two days, while the circular tours from Les Sabots de la Vigne last two or three days. The specific horseback tour is available by request, while the family hike is subject to seasonal availability.

Cheese from Burdignes

Food production is another specific feature of Burdignes: GAEC La Source makes organic raw-milk cheese from cow’s and goat’s milk. These include Bleu de Burdignes, La roche Béraud, Meule de pierre brune, Fourme blanche and various types of Rigotte. The range and seasonal availability may change.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Nizier-De-Fornas, Palogneux, Montrond-Les-Bains, Saint-Sauveur-En-Rue, L'Hôpital-le-Grand, Chambœuf, Merle-Leignec, Saint-Bonnet-Des-Quarts

For the main travel overview: Loire.