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(S/E) From the car park, head north-northeast, turning your back on the information board about hikes in the area.
(1) At the next crossroads, after the cluster of houses in the village, take the road that climbs towards Auzon. The signpost is located between the two roads on the lower part. White/yellow markings, recently accompanied by a "Sentier de Découverte Géologique" (Geological Discovery Trail) sign with an ammonite as its logo.
Cross Auzon following the markings.
About 200 metres after the village, the tarmac road becomes a dirt track. Continue to the Col d'Auzon.
(2) At the hiking signpost at the pass, continue straight ahead on the path leading up towards L'Auriol, a dark stone house that can be seen near a pass.
(3) At the hiking pole, follow the path that turns right towards Col de l'Escrinet, Sarrasset.
(4) At the hiking pole, take a sharp right turn towards the "Sentier de Découverte Géologique" (Geological Discovery Trail) and follow the sign for "Gourdon", going around the pole!
(5) At the "Gourdon" signpost, go straight on towards Col de l'Escrinet (the return journey will be via the lower route).
Even if you don't want to climb Roc de Gourdon, I invite you to continue along the tarmac road, which offers a beautiful view of the Privas valley and the Alps in the distance.
(6) In the bend, between the telephone pole and the "Private property" and "Hunting reserve" signs, an unmarked path through the broom and thorn bushes leads to the summit. Head towards a faded "Hunting reserve" sign above on the right, then continue on the left along the fence. Follow the most obvious path upwards, pass a copse, and head towards the remains of a building that used to power radio antennas. Follow the path on the plateau towards the trees and a gap in the rocks.
Pass this narrow passage and arrive on the left on the summit platform at 1061m.
(7) Retrace your steps to Gourdon to begin the descent.
(5) Turn left towards Col de l'Escrinet, "Sentier de Découverte Géologique" (Geological Discovery Trail).
(8) Leave the Col de l'Escrinet path and head down the slope on the right just before a property fence.
Wooden steps make access easier. Follow the yellow/white markings on the slope, with reminders of the geological trail at intervals. Some passages may be tricky for children.
The path becomes easier at certain points and then descends towards the old Privas-Aubenas railway line.
(9) When you reach a path, turn right towards the trench and, after 400 metres, leave the track and take a path on the right. Follow the double markings to the hamlet of La Conchy, which you will cross.
(10) At the D456, turn right, then take the first path on the left, which cuts across a circular section of the road.
A hairpin bend takes you back up to the road. Turn left towards Saint-Etienne-de-Boulogne. Pass the first houses and arrive at the car park by the church (S/E).
), and it took us 4 hours (without stopping, except to admire the many viewpoints!). A very beautiful hike that I would not recommend doing in reverse (the end is steep, better downhill in my opinion!). Thank you for this suggestion. 
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
