How to Avoid Crowds During Your Ardèche River Descent

Contrary to what you might think, weekends are often quieter for paddling during school holidays. This is because most seasonal rentals run from Saturday to Saturday. On Fridays, vacationers are often busy preparing for their departure. Saturday is a day of major crossover with arrivals and departures. Although some vacationers come for a weekend, they represent only a small portion of summer attendance. Sunday is generally a day of settling in and rest for new arrivals after their journey. Thus, the busiest days during the summer period are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If possible, schedule your outing for a Friday, Monday, or during the weekend. You'll be much less bothered by crowds, and the descent will seem more serene.

The mini descent and medium descent routes are the most frequented, as tourism in Ardèche is very family-oriented. The complete 24 km descent, which is more sporty, attracts fewer people. If you are in good physical condition, it is recommended to opt for the nature reserve (24 km). Not only will you encounter fewer people there, but it's also the most picturesque part of the gorges.