Among stone houses, agricultural terraces and chestnut trees, the Le chemin des Ă©coliers trail runs through Ajoux. The circular walk passes several hamlets in the commune; Le joli pont en pierre offers a different timeframe and level of difficulty. This makes it possible to plan a walk around specific trails and landscape features.
Two circular walks, different profiles
Le chemin des Ă©coliers is a moderately difficult circular walk covering 8.79 kilometres and taking about three hours. Le joli pont en pierre is a difficult circular walk covering 16.40 kilometres, for which about five hours are estimated. One walk is therefore shorter and moderately difficult, while the other is longer and difficult. Both durations are estimates and can help you gauge the time and physical effort involved.
Le chemin des écoliers runs along a path above the L’Auzenet river and crosses the river by the ruins of an old mill. The stretch of river and the mill ruins are among the route’s specific features. The trail also passes through the Vallée de l’Eyrieux et ses affluents Natura 2000 site. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
Geology and directions
The Rocher d’Ajoux is a basalt lava dyke about ten metres wide, formed six to eight million years ago. Its horizontal prismatic jointing describes how the rock is divided into sections. The rock is a geosite with a UNESCO-awarded Geopark designation. It is on private land; visitors are asked to view it from the village.
Parking is available at Col des Pierres de Faux. Check conditions on site. This location can be used as a reference point independently of a visit to the Rocher d’Ajoux: visitors are asked to view the rock from the village.
Churches and village history
Notre-Dame d’Ajoux was built in 1868 by Abbé Boyer. The church’s history is connected to the history of the village. The residents are deeply committed to preserving their rural heritage, giving a visit a specific historical context.
The restored Eglise de Greytus church is in the hamlet of Greytus in Ajoux. Its programme for 2026 includes various exhibitions and concerts. Together, the two churches offer different points of interest: Notre-Dame d’Ajoux is connected to the village’s history, while Eglise de Greytus hosts exhibitions and concerts.
Regional produce
The seasonal selection listed for 2026 at the Marché de producteurs includes cheese, honey, jams—including chestnut jam—eggs, bread, cured meats and mushrooms. The selection may vary. Ajoux therefore offers more for travel planning than walking and geology alone, extending to regional produce.
When choosing what interests you on your trip, Ajoux’s circular walks make it easy to compare routes by length, duration and difficulty. Village history, geological features and the seasonally changing market offer other points of interest. If you plan to go walking, check local trail conditions beforehand; the Rocher d’Ajoux should be viewed from the village.
Discover more destinations: Berrias-Et-Casteljau, Le Crestet, Lemps, Montpézat-Sous-Bauzon, Barnas, Tournon, Saint-Maurice-d'Ibie, Saint-Cirgues-De-Prades.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
