Circular walk from Dournon to Sainte-Anne and the Pont du Diable

The start point is on Chemin des Laizines. On leaving the hamlet of L’Entrepôt towards Dournon, turn right at the corner of the house onto Chemin des Laizines and, a little further on, find a place to park without obstructing traffic.

(S/E) Head in the opposite direction (west) and continue to the junction with the Route du Pont du Diable.

(1) Carry on to the right and head towards the village of Dournon. Walk past the chapel and the fountain, then turn right onto the Route du Pont du Diable to quickly reach the Place de la Mairie.

(2) Then turn left, walk past the town hall and head up to the right along the Chemin de la Fatrole. Walk past the last few houses, the open-air hall and the tennis court to reach a junction of paths.

(3) Take the path on your left and enter the forest. Continue along this lovely path, which curves to the right further on and runs alongside pastures surrounded by piles of stone gathered from fields (dry stone walls). You’ll reach the turning area for timber lorries.

(4) Then turn left, following the clearly marked trail, which differs from the route shown on the IGN map unless you zoom in significantly. Continue to the forest road and, once you reach it, keep to the right. Further on, in a lovely clearing, you’ll come to a junction with the^{PR® trail.}

(5) Carry on straight ahead towards Sainte-Anne and Geraise. Continue in this direction and, further on, ignore the^PR® path branching off to the left towards Geraise. Carry on along the meadows and, further on, you’ll come to a right-angled bend in the dirt track, in front of a bench.

(6) Ignore the path ahead of you and carry on to the right along the tarmac road which crosses a small valley and, further on, leads to the village of Sainte-Anne. Pass the first road on your right and join Rue du Clos.

(7) Turn left then right onto Rue du Château and take it to the right. Keep left at the junction to follow the RD229 towards the Pont du Diable.

(8) Walk past the lovely little church and you’ll reach a junction on a bend.

(9) Ignore the^PR® path branching off to the right, and stay on the main road as you round the bend. Walk carefully until you reach the bridge. Take in the view and, shortly after crossing it, look out for the path branching off to the right at the end of the barrier.

(10) Follow this path, which descends steeply, taking you to the right bank of the stream where you can admire the bridge from below. Return to the road via the same path and turn right. Further up, you’ll reach a junction with a dirt track.

(11) Take this path to the right and, further on, ignore the track leading straight ahead. Head down this lovely track to cross a stream, reach the edge of the meadows and then enter the woodland again. You’ll come to a junction with a path joining from the left at elevation 611.

(12) Take this ascending track and immediately head right, due south. Much further on, you’ll reach the hunting lodge.

(13) If it’s open, make the most of the shelter on offer and continue along this well-marked track to reach the old road from Salins to Levier shortly afterwards.

(14) Follow it to the right until you reach the end and come to the gate.

(15) Near the barrier, you’ll find a path branching off to the right which runs below the tarmac road before veering off to cross some pastures and join the Chemin des Laizines. Head straight on, due west, to return to your car park (S/E).

Open hall with tables and benches, plus outdoor picnic tables near the tennis court towards (3).
Open hunting lodge in the Chalème Forest at (13).

In the village of Sainte-Anne, street signs are in two languages – French and Arpitan – and there is a traditional church with walls protected by glazed tiles.