The heights of Hermitage
Tain-l'Hermitage
The heights of Hermitage
Hard
Difficulty2h30
Duration18,8km
Distance+509m
Positive Elevation-509m
Negative ElevationCourse type
Network
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3 points of interest
Years ago Romans established themselves on the hillside of Tain (Tegna). To honour their gods they slaughtered a bull at the sacrificial altar of Taurobole that now stands with its bull’s head on Taurabole square in the town.
GeologyThe kaolin drying shed
The kaolin deposit that you find in Larnage has marked the history of this village. Perhaps even the name Larnage itself could come from « l’Arenage » meaning « la sablière » (sand plot). In Latin “sable” is “arena”. Kaolin, a white clay extremely friable with numerous uses, has no doubt been extracted here for a long time. The stone was crushed then sifted, left to settle then dried in warehouses. This raw material is still very much used in various industries : pharmaceutical, cosmetic, for paper, ceramics…..Côtes du Rhône Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage et Saint Joseph AOC wines
This is a traditional wine-growing country going as far back as Antiquity. Drôme des Collines, Valence and Vivarais areas possess three famous northern Côtes du Rhône vintage wines that are currently turning to an organic production : l'Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage and Saint Joseph. Whereas Crozes Hermitage makes white wines suggesting honey and almond flavours and reds with notes of red fruit and spices, Hermitage red wines offer strength together with delicacy, their whites are more full and round and its straw wine is considered to be one of the greatest French wines. Then there’s the Saint Joseph with its notes of pepper and spices coming from the Syrah variety or the flowery aromas like acacia in its authentic and clear white wines. These three areas have become a wine-tourism destination called "d'Hermitage en Saint Joseph", and carrying the well-known label "Vignobles et Découvertes". The latter offers package tours including accommodation, food and meals, visiting wineries and tasting, museums, various venues….)
Description
Go round the car park and under the railway bridge then turn right.
1 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m
Continue ahead towards the winery (cave à vin). The uphill climb starts on the D241 to your left : Careful traffic ! On the bend come off the road onto the path straight ahead. About 500m further on, before the bend, turn right onto the steep uphill track. Once at the top turn right onto the lane. Follow the signs towards Larnage on the D241 : Careful traffic !
2 - Larnage - 207 m
In the centre of the village turn left towards Crozes Hermitage then right uphill on the road towards the housing estate. The road then becomes a track. When you reach the road, turn right and carry on.
3 - Les Méjeans - 348 m
Continue ahead.
4 - Les Méjeans Nord - 350 m
Take the road on the left and continue for about 200m. Turn left onto the path : a pleasant, fast downhill slope through woodland with no particular difficulty.
5 - Val de Gervans - 190 m
Turn left and continue downhill on the wide track.
6 - Gervans Rue du Ruisseau - 140 m
Continue ahead.
7 - Gervans - 140 m
Turn left.
8 - Chemin des Voussères - 130 m
Take the path on the left going along the railway track for about 1km and leading to the D163. Turn left onto the D163 : Careful traffic ! Head for Crozes Hermitage.
9 - Crozes Hermitage - 145 m
Just before the bridge, near the townhall, take the road to your right.
10 - Les Pinets
Here, the uphill trail starts along the heights of the town of Tain l’Hermitage
11 - L'Hermite - 239 m
Continue ahead. Further on, the road becomes track. At the following junction carry on ahead along the path. Enjoy the beautiful panorama here. The downhill section is quite technical going through fields and heading towards Tain l’Hermitage.
12 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m
Turn right back onto the same road as the beginning of the trail and head back to the Velodis car park.
1 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m
Continue ahead towards the winery (cave à vin). The uphill climb starts on the D241 to your left : Careful traffic ! On the bend come off the road onto the path straight ahead. About 500m further on, before the bend, turn right onto the steep uphill track. Once at the top turn right onto the lane. Follow the signs towards Larnage on the D241 : Careful traffic !
2 - Larnage - 207 m
In the centre of the village turn left towards Crozes Hermitage then right uphill on the road towards the housing estate. The road then becomes a track. When you reach the road, turn right and carry on.
3 - Les Méjeans - 348 m
Continue ahead.
4 - Les Méjeans Nord - 350 m
Take the road on the left and continue for about 200m. Turn left onto the path : a pleasant, fast downhill slope through woodland with no particular difficulty.
5 - Val de Gervans - 190 m
Turn left and continue downhill on the wide track.
6 - Gervans Rue du Ruisseau - 140 m
Continue ahead.
7 - Gervans - 140 m
Turn left.
8 - Chemin des Voussères - 130 m
Take the path on the left going along the railway track for about 1km and leading to the D163. Turn left onto the D163 : Careful traffic ! Head for Crozes Hermitage.
9 - Crozes Hermitage - 145 m
Just before the bridge, near the townhall, take the road to your right.
10 - Les Pinets
Here, the uphill trail starts along the heights of the town of Tain l’Hermitage
11 - L'Hermite - 239 m
Continue ahead. Further on, the road becomes track. At the following junction carry on ahead along the path. Enjoy the beautiful panorama here. The downhill section is quite technical going through fields and heading towards Tain l’Hermitage.
12 - Chemin de l'Hermitage - 125 m
Turn right back onto the same road as the beginning of the trail and head back to the Velodis car park.
- Departure : Tain l'Hermitage - Market square (Velodis)
- Arrival : Tain l'Hermitage - Market square (Velodis)
- Towns crossed : Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Larnage, and Gervans
Altimetric profile
Information desks
6, place du 8 mai 1945 - BP 70019, 26601 Tain l'Hermitage
Transport
Bus route N° 4 Valence - Tain l'Hermitage - Serves sur Rhône
Access and parking
Follow the N7 from Valence towards Lyon as far as Tain l'Hermitage.
Parking :
Market square (Vélodis)
Accessibility
Emergency number :114
More information
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