Country:
District:
The commune of Sarras is located on the N86, between Andance and Tournon in the Ardèche, on the banks of the Rhône.
Head north of the village and park in the car park in front of the entrance to the Sarras gymnasium.
The hike starts from this point.
Most of the route is marked with yellow and white signs, except between (2 and 4).
(S/E) Head towards the Ay river, which runs behind the gymnasium, and take the path that runs alongside it on the left (westbound).
After following the Ay for about 100 metres, cross it via the small bridge.
After the bridge, turn left.
Continue along the Ay on the other bank until you reach a fork in the path with a hiking signpost.
(1) Take the path on the right uphill, ignoring the one that goes straight downhill.
Continue uphill, leaving a path on your left.
Continue along the dirt track until you overlook a winding road.
Ignore another path on the left.
Continue uphill until you reach a crossroads with a signpost.
(2) Turn left at the next crossroads, then left again onto the path that descends almost in the opposite direction to the path you are leaving. Leave the yellow and white markings here. The path is wide between the vineyards but becomes a narrow trail as it enters the woods.
Follow this path until you reach a crossroads. Turn left towards a large cross overlooking the Ay Gorges.
Enjoy the view.
(3) Return in the same direction and, at the crossroads you have already passed, turn left.
Walk uphill along the path and then between the vineyards until you reach the junction with the yellow and white signposted path.
(4) Take it on the left. Continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on the right and left.
When you reach a road, turn left and continue along it.
Stay on the paved road until you reach a four-way intersection.
(5) Take the path on the left, which is the Chemin des Montaillières.
Continue along this road until you reach the first house in the hamlet of Masse.
After passing the house, turn left.
A few metres further on, turn right along a farm building onto a dirt track that goes downhill.
You will reach a crossroads with a paved road and a new hiking sign.
(6) Turn left. Stay on this road, continuing straight ahead and leaving the Route du Coupier on your right.
You will come to a crossroads at the corner of the stone house opposite. Leave the road and go down the dirt track opposite.
You will reach a crossroads near the Tour d'Oriol, the remains of an old castle.
(7) Turn right and pass a tourist sign.
Continue along this winding road uphill until you reach the entrance to a large old building, which is Pestrain Castle. Reach the crossroads marked by a cross.
(8) Cross this road and take the dirt track opposite.
Continue along this road, ignoring a path that branches off to the right.
You will reach a road, which you should take on the left.
After about 100 metres, leave the road and take the path on the left alongside fruit trees.
Follow this path to the paved road to Bruas. Turn left towards the hamlet of Bruas. Reach the hamlet and the crossroads marked with a cross.
(9) Take the first left. The paved road quickly becomes a dirt track.
Continue along this dirt track downhill until you reach the D221 departmental road.
(10) Cross with caution as vehicles can only be seen at the last moment due to poor visibility caused by the bend.
Continue straight ahead and take the dirt road downhill. Follow this road until you reach a crossroads with a signpost for the hike. Turn left downhill. Follow the meandering Ay river and cross a tributary of the Ay.
Continue along the Ay until you reach a road, where you will see a hiking sign.
(11) Continue straight ahead to reach the old Minodier mill.
Follow a small canal that supplies water to the mill.
Cross the bridge over the Ay, continue uphill opposite, and at the small cross, continue straight ahead, leaving the path on your left.
Continue along this path until you reach the hamlet of Fourany.
(12) Take the paved road on the right. Continue along the road for about 100 metres. Leave it and take the path on the left. The path makes a large loop to the left and arrives at the Pichat road. Follow it to the right, atthe second hairpin bend, take the dirt path downhill, ignoring the Goudivet path.
Reach the bottom of the valley and cross the small wooden bridge over the Patet stream.
Start a short climb to reach the road near Carret. Cross it and continue straight ahead to reach the crossroads marked with a cross at the edge of the vineyards.
(13) Continue straight ahead, ignoring all other paths on the right and left.
Follow the road until it reaches a hairpin bend. After passing the hairpin bend, you will come to a crossroads at the edge of a vineyard.
(14) Take this dirt road on the right.
Continue straight ahead on this road, ignoring the turnings on the right and left, until you reach a road in the hamlet of Champelé.
(15) Cross the road and continue straight ahead. Here, the path appears to be the entrance to a property, but it only runs alongside it. Stay on this dirt track, which winds its way along, keeping straight ahead and ignoring the paths on the right and left.
At Garenne, leave the dirt track and continue straight ahead, taking a concrete road on the right that descends towards the houses of Sarras, which are now in view.
At the bottom of the descent, turn left.
Leave the Route de la Rivière d'Ay on your left and continue straight ahead on Avenue de Cévennes, then turn left onto Route de la Croix de Pierre. Continue straight ahead on Rue Centrale Nord. At the roundabout, turn left onto Rue du Moulin to reach the car park of the Sarras gymnasium (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
