For a stay in Nonières, it is worth considering the different route profiles. La Dolce Via is an easy crossing; there is also a moderate mountain biking circuit and a ten-kilometre hiking route between Les Nonières and Saint-Julien-Labrousse. The Tunnel des Nonières and the village church dedicated to Saint James the Younger also offer other points of interest for your trip beyond simply planning your routes. You can tailor your choices according to whether you would rather hike, cycle, or get to know the village and its notable buildings.
La Dolce Via and the route to the village centre
The La Dolce Via from Cheylard to Nonières (Belsentes) is 8.10 kilometres long and classified as an easy crossing. Its elevation profile shows 229 metres of ascent and 35 metres of descent. The section is mostly surfaced with a soft Gore covering and is accessible to trekking bikes, mountain bikes and hikers. This makes the route suitable for consideration both as a hike and as a bike ride; the groups mentioned include different ways to experience the trail.
Before the tunnel, a 300-metre path on La Dolce Via leads to the centre of Les Nonières. There is an elevation difference to negotiate. For navigation, this elevation profile is therefore important alongside the short distance. As trail conditions can change, check the current state of the route before setting out.
Circuit, hike and valley views
The Circuit du Bois la Roche – VTT FFC N°12 Bleu is a moderate 4.8-kilometre loop. It includes 197 metres of ascent and 200 metres of descent. Several viewpoints look out over the village of Les Nonières and its small wooded valleys. The circuit also passes through the Vallée de l'Eyrieux et ses affluents Natura 2000 site. Here, the choice of route goes hand in hand with views of the village and the wooded valley landscape.
The Circuit des deux villages – N°8 offers a different experience: this hiking route is ten kilometres long and runs between Les Nonières and Saint-Julien-Labrousse; the ascent is 270 metres. In direct numerical comparison, it is longer than the 8.10-kilometre La Dolce Via. At 4.8 kilometres, the mountain biking circuit is shorter, but it is rated moderate, while La Dolce Via is rated easy. Distance alone therefore does not determine the stated difficulty; the route type and elevation profile also differ.
Tunnel and village church
The Tunnel des Nonières is near the hamlet of Les Nonières and, at 320 metres, is the longest tunnel on La Dolce Via. It is lit and accessible all year round. Together with the path to the village centre, this route offers a change between the tunnel structure and the village: the access path to the centre is before the tunnel, is 300 metres long and includes an elevation difference. This information helps you understand the section not just as a passage through the tunnel, but also in terms of navigation.
The village church in Les Nonières is dedicated to Saint James the Younger. Its dedication provides a specific cultural and religious connection to the village, complementing the outdoor focus of the different routes. If you do not want to plan your trip solely around the length or difficulty of the routes, you can also consider the church and tunnel as separate points of interest when exploring Nonières.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Alban-Auriolles, Le Pouzin, Étables, Uzer, Saint-Christol, Labastide-sur-Bésorgues, Chassiers, Mayres
For the broader travel overview: Ardèche.
