Chalencon - Silhac circular route

(S/E) Park in the car park at the Salle Polyvalente, opposite Les Soleillas.

Head uphill to reach the old village of Chalencon; cross it via Rue du Temple and then Rue Royale – the latter descends, crosses the road below and continues straight on. Join the main road to reach the village exit at the ‘Chalencon’ sign. Here you’ll find the GR®427.

(1) From there, turn right up the slope to reach a junction of hiking trails at the top of the ridge, with a mobile phone mast on your left.

(2) Leave the GR® here and turn left onto the GRP® ‘Tour du Pays de Vernoux’, heading towards Silhac; now follow the yellow and red markings. Reach the Col de Combeyron.

(3) Cross the D2 and then, at the ‘Saute-Chèvre’ hiking sign, turn left towards Silhac; leave the GRP® markings here. Walk past the back of the old Auberge de Combeyron – a cluster of old stone buildings – and then reach the D2 road.

(4) Cross the road and, immediately afterwards, take the grassy path that climbs to the right towards the woods. Continue through the woods, following the signposts, until you reach the edge of the woodland.

(5) Leave the woods, head down a grassy path and, further on to the right, take a track leading to the D2.

(6) Turn left onto it towards Silhac, walk for about 100 m, then take the grassy path on the right which leads to Silhac via the school a little further on.

(7) Follow the small road on the right which climbs up to the village and reaches the Place de l’Église. Head back down towards the north along the other small road which crosses the D2 a little further on. Cross the D2 at the opposite side, then continue northwards (do not head towards Vernoux).

(8) Shortly afterwards, take the signposted grassy path on the left heading towards Vaugeron.

(9) Take the GR®420 on the left – it’s a small road – and follow it to the edge of a wood, where you’ll come to a path.

(10) Continue along the GR® path, which leads down to the foot of Chalencon. Follow it back up to the village’s main road.

(11) Turn right and follow the main road, which passes the town hall and then the fire station a little further on; leave the road to head back down the Route de Lapras towards the car park at the Salle Polyvalente (S/E).

(S/E) At the bottom of the community hall, in front of the sports ground: sports area.
Water points in the village of Chalencon, on the left as you leave the village, and also in the church square in Silhac (water not tested).
(7) Silhac: picnic break possible.
Before (1) on the return journey: crossing a stream (depending on previous rainfall) on the way back to Chalencon, on the GR®.
Passes through meadows, woods and scenic viewpoints.
Signposting: PR® (yellow and white), GR® (white and red), GRP® (yellow and red).

(1) The old village of Chalencon, listed as a ‘petite cité de caractère’. Superb panoramic views from the village, perched at an altitude of 700 m. At the end of your walk, below the village, take the opportunity to explore the educational display on the Chalencon wetland.
(7) The pretty little village of Silhac, with its church square.
(9) The old fortified farm at Vaugeron.