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(S/E) From the car park, head north-north-east, with your back to the information board about walks in the area.
(1) At the next junction, after the cluster of houses in the village, take the road leading up towards Auzon; the signpost is situated between the two roads at the lower end. White/yellow markings, recently accompanied by “Geological Discovery Trail” signage featuring an ammonite as its logo.
Walk through Auzon, following the signposts.
About 200 metres after the village, the tarmac road turns into a dirt track. Continue on to the Col d’Auzon.
(2) At the hiking signpost on the pass, carry on straight ahead along the path leading up towards L’Auriol, a dark stone house visible towards the pass.
(3) At the signpost, follow the path which turns right towards the Col de l’Escrinet and Sarrasset.
(4) At the signpost, take the hairpin bend to the right towards the “Sentier de Découverte Géologique”; for the sign for “Gourdon”, go round the post!
(5) At the “Gourdon” signpost, head straight on towards the Col de l’Escrinet (the return route will be via the lower path).
Even if you don’t wish to climb the Roc de Gourdon, I’d recommend continuing along the tarmac road, which offers a lovely view of the Privas valley and, in the distance, the Alps.
(6) At the bend, between the telephone pole and the ‘Private Property’ and ‘Private Hunting Ground’ signs, an unmarked path through the broom and thorny bushes leads to the summit. Head towards a faded ‘Private Hunting Ground’ sign above and to the right, then continue to the left, following the fence. Follow the most clearly defined path uphill, pass through a copse, and head towards the remains of a building that used to power radio masts. Follow the path across the flat area towards the trees and a gap in the rocks.
Pass through this narrow gap and arrive on the left at the summit platform at 1,061 metres.
(7) Retrace your steps back to Gourdon to begin the descent.
(5) Turn left towards the Col de l’Escrinet, following the “Geological Discovery Trail”.
(8) Leave the Col de l’Escrinet path and head down the slope to the right just before a property fence.
Wooden steps make the climb easier. Follow the yellow/white markings carefully down the slope, with signs for the geological trail at intervals. There are a few tricky sections for children.
The path becomes easier in places before descending towards the old Privas–Aubenas railway line.
(9) When you reach a track, turn right towards the trench, then, after 400 metres, leave the track and take a path on the right. Follow the dual markings to the hamlet of La Conchy, which you cross through.
(10) At the D456, turn right, then take the first track on the left, which cuts across a circular section of the road.
A hairpin bend takes you back up onto the road; turn left towards Saint-Étienne-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 
