Circular Chavanol loop to the Col de Trente Sous

Park at the car park of the Chez Jean-Marie restaurant in Chavanol (Doizieux) or take the dirt track to the left of the restaurant and park 100 m further on, on the right.

(S/E) From the restaurant car park, take the wide dirt track to the left of the restaurant and head towards a fork.

(1) Take the path on the left and continue in the same direction, north-east, until the next fork.

(2) At the junction, stay on the path straight ahead. Continue uphill, then begin a descent and arrive at another junction at elevation 751.

(3) Continue straight on until the point where it is possible to continue to the Col de Trente Sous.

(4) Continue straight on (1.8 km round trip) to enjoy the view over the valley. Signpost for Chavanol 5.2 km.

(5) At Col de Trente Sous, there is no sign but a wooden bench. Turn back to reach the junction from the outward journey. A circular route via the hamlet of Avaize is possible but involves a climb.

(4) On the way back, take the path leading down to the left. Chavanol signpost 5.2 km. The return route follows wide paths. You’ll come to a fork.

(6) Turn onto the path on the left and ignore the one going uphill to the right. Do the same at the next fork and continue to the 691m mark.

(7) Turn onto the path on the right which continues through the forest, ignoring the one that goes down to the left. Continue downwards heading south-west.

(8) At the 674m mark, follow the path straight ahead as it climbs (MTB sign), then 50m further on, turn left. Follow this path, ignoring the paths climbing to the right, until you reach a wide junction.

(9) Follow the wide path in the middle (MTB sign) which climbs towards Chavanol and rejoin the original junction.

(1) Turn left to reach the restaurant car park (S/E).