Circular route around Ranchal via the Col des Écorbans and the Croix de Fer

Park in the town hall car park.

(S/E) Head left towards the church and follow the Route des Écharmaux (D10) towards the Col des Écorbans.

(1) Just past the last house, leave the road and take a grassy path that climbs to the left and soon joins a small road. Continue straight on and climb towards the Col des Écorbans until you reach the D10.

(2) Follow it to the left for a few dozen metres to the Col des Écorbans (825m) and turn right onto the forest track (GR®7) which climbs towards the forest. You cross the Mediterranean/Atlantic watershed. Along the way, you will find information boards about the radar station built by the German occupiers in 1943. Continue to the Croix de Fer crossroads (information on local flora and fauna).

(3) Take the path leading down to the right.

(4) At the fork, take the path on the right (information sign about the peat bog), and continue to a reservoir where the path turns left; continue the descent towards the hamlet of Polcy. Cross the hamlet, heading down towards the D54 below.

(5) Cross it carefully, take the path opposite which runs alongside it below and rejoin the road, crossing it again with care.

(6) Take the path almost opposite until you reach the Red Cross. The path (tarmac in the final few metres) comes to a T-junction.

(7) Turn left onto the D54 (Route de Favardy), follow it to the right for about a hundred metres.

(8) Turn left onto a small road towards Le Chambost (view of Ranchal) and cross the hamlet of Le Chambost.

(9) At the last house, turn left then immediately right to go down to the D54.

(10) Cross it (take care!) and head down the path opposite.

(11) At the bottom of the descent, turn left and cross a stream, a tributary of the Reins (or Rhins), itself a tributary of the Loire, whose source is nearby, then head up to the right towards Le Peloux, following the Reins as it flows below. Ignore the paths branching off to the right. At the top of the climb, the path joins the Petites Fayes / Ranchal road.

(12) Follow it to the right. Cross another stream, a tributary of the Reins, before heading up towards Ranchal. At the Monterbout crossroads, you’ll see the village of Ranchal. Continue past the cemetery, turn left and follow the D10 to the right to reach the town hall car park (S/E).

A grocery shop in Ranchal. Some sections are exposed, so they can get quite hot in a heatwave.

At point (9), you can reach Ranchal more quickly by turning right towards La Vallée.

Information boards on local history (1943 radar base) and the natural environment along the GR®7.