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Race presentation
Where to watch the race?
Address - travel time - parking
The natural site of the Gorges de l'Ardèche
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Race presentation
Where to watch the race?
START & FINISH: The start of the 2 races under the Pont d'Arc are truly impressive. The atmosphere is magical and not to be missed! Charlemagne rapid, just upstream from the beach, is where the marathon will pass by at about 11.10 a.m.
For the finish line at St Martin d'Ardèche: The first SUPs will start to arrive around 11 a.m. and the first teams start to attive at 12h. Refreshment bar and gourmet market available.
VIEWPOINTS :
Viewpoints from the gorge road to the finish. Here's our selection of 11 viewpoints not to be missed: le balcon des Templiers, le balcon d'Autridge, le Serre de Tourre and la Madeleine.
Take the hiking trail that follows the Gorges de l'Ardèche, and in 10 minutes you'll reach the river. The trail follows the river for several km. Be aware that the paths are uneven. (good walking shoes are essential).
Continue by car along the Gorges de l'Ardèche road, and park at the top of the bivouac site. Walk down to the bivouac site (where there is a refreshment stop for the competitors). Be aware the road descends steeply. Allow 30 min for the descent and 45 min for the ascent.
Address - Travel time - Parking
HALL "Salle Polyvalente" - VALLON PONT D'ARC :
SPECTATORS CAR PARK - LA PETITE MER - START LINE MARATHON :
To observe the start of the Marathon and the Rush, the spectators car park is located at Camping de l'île, 100 chemin de l’ile, 07150 Vallon Pont d’Arc.
Located 600m from the start line, you'll have a prime spot to watch the boats. You can also walk along the river to get closer to the start line.
LE PONT D'ARC - START OF THE ARD'RIVER PADDLE & CHALLENGE - THE FINISH LINE FOR THE RUSH :
As mentioned previsously, parking is limited and the few spaces available are reserved for competitors.
Please use the free shuttle bus service. Free parking at the tourist office : 16 rue des abeilles, 07150 Vallon Pont d'Arc.
Shuttle buses leave every 15 minutes from 8am on race day. Allow 10 minutes for shuttle bus journey.
Numerous views of the races: start of both races under the Pont d'Arc (9am and 10am), passage of the marathon on the Charlemagne rapids upstream from the Pont d'Arc (11.10am), views from the beach and the numerous viewpoints.
GOURNIER BIVOUAC :
A 25-minute drive from Pont d’Arc. Park on the side of the road (Fournier, 07700 Saint Remèze) and walk down the path that leads to the refreshment point (1.5 km). You can watch the three races pass by, whilst being in the heart of the nature reserve.
FINISH LINE- ST MARTIN D'ARDÈCHE :
A 45-minute drive from the Vallon Tourist Office car park to Saint Martin d'Ardèche (30 km). There are plenty of car parks available, and volunteers will be on hand to welcome and guide you. GPS link to guide you
THE ARDÈCHE GORGES NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Whether you are a competitor or a spectator, the Marathon des Gorges invites you to discover some exceptional sites! Since 1980, the Ardèche Gorges have been classified as a National Nature Reserve, home to over a thousand plant and animal species. Furthermore, from the Pont d'Arc to the confluence of the Ardèche and Rhône rivers, they are classified as a Sensitive Natural Area and a Natura 2000 site due to their remarkable biodiversity. Crossing this exceptional and protected natural site requires adopting a few good practices to minimise our impact:
To find out more about fauna, flora and good practice, visit our website:
A DIVERSE AND FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM
The Ardèche River, with temperatures that can reach 27°C in summer, is home to a diverse range of aquaticfauna. It is home to fish adapted to different environments: gudgeon, Rhone apron, chub and barbel in white water. Plus carp, perch and roach in deeper waters.
BONELLI EAGLE
The Bonelli eagle, an endangered Mediterranean bird of prey, lives in the region. To protect this species, quiet periods have been introduced from January to June. This discreet eagle nests on cliffs, and its reproduction depends on a calm environment. This year, three pairs have settled in the Natura 2000 site, two of them in the Ardèche gorges.
THE BEAVER
Mainly active at night, the beaver lives at the interface between water and land. Thanks to the particular geology of the gorges, it uses caves for shelter. As you stroll along, you'll be able to spot clues to its presence, such as footprints or piles of branches on the banks.
An environmentally committed event
The Marathon is actively committed to limiting its ecological impact. In collaboration with the association Les Connexions, the event has succeeded in recovering 65% of waste for the 2024 edition. Thanks to the use of reusable crockery and eco-cups, waste production has been significantly reduced.
The site's landscape, archaeological, historical, geomorphological, flora and fauna interests mean that it is protected from the pressures of urban development and the effects of massive tourist numbers. It is thanks to this protection that you may have the chance to observe the fauna present during your race. That's why the organisers ask you to be respectful of the environment throughout the event.
To avoid disturbing wildlife, we ask you to pay particular attention to noise pollution and the noise you make. The aim is to create a quiet zone as you pass through the gorges. (Anyone failing to repect this request may be disqualified by the event organisers). The use of vuvuzelas, foghorns and similar instruments are forbidden, as are the use of smoke bombs. They do no promote the environmental values we all need to adopt.
Anyone failing to respect and comply with these rules may be disqualified by the organisers.
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