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Access to the village of Saint-Alban-d'Ay, 8 km south-west of Annonay, via the D578A road connecting Annonay to Satillieu. Car park near the multi-purpose hall on the left as you enter the village from Annonay to the north-east.
(S/E) From the car park, head north towards the main road.
(1) Take the road on the right, Rue de La Fontaine, for 200 m. At the first crossroads, leave the main road and follow the Route des Vignes almost opposite on the left. After 400 m, opposite a house, take the path downhill on the right and you will reach a road.
(2) Turn left and walk 1,800 metres along the road, which then turns into a dirt track. Cross the meadows and pass three ponds on your right. At the third pond, you will come to a large track coming from the left.
(3) Continue uphill on this main road until you reach the forest. The path curves widely to the right and then to the left. On an almost straight section, ignore a path going up to the left and follow the well-marked path to the right along the meadow. The path makes a sharp left turn.
Continue for 400 metres after the hairpin bend. Here, the road narrows and becomes a path, climbing to the right.
(4) After the short climb, the path levels out. Ignore the paths to the right and left. You will arrive at a slight descent near some houses on the right. You will reach a road.
(5) Take the road on the left for 150 metres. Leave the road going straight downhill and continue to the right towards the buildings of Afforty. After the buildings, the road becomes a dirt forest track. Continue uphill towards a high point. Ignore a path coming from the right.
(6) Continue along this wide forest track, which is partly flat and then slopes gently downwards. You will reach a road; turn left towards the hamlet of Les Chaux. Ignore a road leading downhill to the left. Continue along the road to the end of the hamlet. The road becomes a dirt track with two branches; take the left branch for 50 metres.
(7) Leave the main road and turn right, heading downhill to the left. Follow the path for 350 metres until you reach a crossroads in Grandbeau Park. Take the path uphill to the right. The path crosses the park with its various exercise equipment. The path turns right then left to return to the main road you left earlier.
(8) Take the path on the left downhill. You will arrive at some houses where the dirt path becomes tarmac. Ignore a path on the left leading to the park. Continue downhill and you will arrive at a main road near a bus shelter. Take care here due to road traffic.
(9) Cross the road and turn left onto the road running alongside a large wall. After 50 metres, ignore a path leading off to the left and continue along the road. You will reach the hamlet of Ceytère. In the hamlet, leave the road and turn left at a right angle, walking alongside the houses. Follow the path down three bends to reach a road.
(10) Take the road on the left for 100 metres. At the next crossroads, take the straight road on the right. After crossing a stream and before reaching the farm buildings, take the path on the left. You will reach a village road near Château Des Rieux.
(11) Take the road to the right. You will reach a junction; turn left and head uphill. At the next junction, turn left towards the Saint-Alban-d'Ay car park to return to the starting point near the village hall (S/E).
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