Discover Mayres through a range of interests: hiking and mountain biking, geological features, and the history of its buildings and mining. Marked and regularly maintained trails lead to ridges beneath chestnut and beech trees, reaching heights of up to 1,500 metres. You can go mountain biking in Mayres at any time of year. You can plan your trip around either tours through the landscape or visits to individual natural and cultural sites.
Hiking trails and navigation
Local hiking trails make it possible to explore several valleys. One trail passes the former lead and silver mines of Lescure, providing a tangible historical connection along the route. A hiking map and a leaflet featuring the main routes are available in the town hall square. If you are planning a particular route, check the information locally.
The ridges and hikes through several valleys give the trails a scenic focus; mountain biking is another way to explore Mayres at any time of year. Hiking and mountain biking are two different ways to discover Mayres.
Rocks, peaks and a spring
Le Rocher Troué is a geological feature in the commune of Mayres. Its name in the Ardèche dialect is “Lou Ron Trooutcha”; it is characterised by a window-like opening in a cluster of stones. By contrast, Rocher d'Abraham is a 1,498-metre-high peak and viewpoint overlooking the upper Tanargue. Rocher Troué is distinguished by its window-like opening, while Rocher d'Abraham offers views of the upper Tanargue.
Another natural feature is the Peyralade spring, which is naturally carbonated. From Mayres, it can be reached via the “Peyralade-Montlaur” trail. Conditions or local diversions may affect access along the trail, so check the route before setting off.
Ruins and chapels
The ruins of Château de Montlaur include a keep, a Romanesque gateway and later-built corner towers. These features reflect different periods of construction. The Saint Médard chapel, restored in 1988, lies near the ruins. The château and chapel are separate places to visit if you are interested in the history of Mayres’s buildings.
The Notre Dame des voyageurs chapel is in Vieux Mayres. It faces the fortress of Montlaur and the Saint Médard chapel, with the national road from Aubenas to Puy-en-Velay separating it from both. The three named cultural sites can therefore also be distinguished by their locations: Vieux Mayres is home to the Notre-Dame chapel, while Saint Médard is near Château de Montlaur.
Mayres offers a range of themes for your stay, which you can prioritise according to your interests: trails through several valleys, mountain biking at any time of year, geological formations and historic buildings. If you are planning a hike, you can consult the hiking map in the town hall square; before taking the trail to the Peyralade spring, it is advisable to check local conditions and the route in advance.
Discover more destinations: Gras, Alboussière, St. Barthelemy Le Plain, Le Teil, Beaulieu, Les Assions, Issanlas, Le Plagnal.
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
