Ferrrand Circulars

To reach the start from Tournon, take the D 532 towards Lamastre. Just after house number 179, continue left towards Chemin du Martinot – Chemin des Crêtes, then turn sharply right. At the first hairpin bend, ignore the start of the trail opposite (Chemin du Martineau) and continue to the right onto Chemin des Crêtes. Drive for about 1 km and park at the fourth hairpin bend (parking available for 3 to 4 vehicles).

(S/E) Take the tarmac road downhill and return to the road you took coming from Tournon. Continue for about 300 m, heading north, until you reach a cross.

(1) Turn right onto the unmarked path heading east (caution: there are two paths; make sure you take the one furthest to the left). Continue for 500 metres until you reach a wider path (marked in white and yellow). Turn left for a few metres, then follow the path to the right (marked with a White Cross and a Yellow Cross). Stay on the path on the right until, after about 450 m, you reach a path marked in yellow and white. Turn right onto the path to reach the Route des Crêtes at a place called Les Tuiles.

(2) Cross the road and take the path leading down towards the north-north-west; you’ll soon reach the GR®420.

(3) Turn left, heading south.

(4) Walk past the waterfall and carry on to Mouret.

(5) Follow the tarmac road for a few metres, then climb the rock face on the left (opposite the gate) to join the unmarked path that rises above the road. The clearing of undergrowth, carried out in December 2021, ensures easy progress along the entire length of the path as it climbs up to a field. Continue straight on along the left-hand (eastern) edge of the field and follow the track which joins the road.

(6) Turn right, follow the road, ignore the track on the left and reach the hamlet of Le Rey. Continue straight on, ignoring the off-road paths on either side, and just before the hamlet of Le Bec, turn right onto the GR®420, which descends towards the north and then north-west.

(7) At the junction, carry on to the right on the^GR®, heading north-north-east, until you reach La Grange de Vaure.

(8) Walk through the hamlet and continue along the tarmac road to Mouret.

(5) Take the GR®420 towards Ferrand and follow the route back along the same path as on the way there.

(4) Walk past the waterfall and carry on.

(3) Leave the route you have already taken and go straight on until you reach the tarmac road (S/E).

Eighty per cent of the route follows paths and tracks. The few tarmac sections are very quiet.
Given the lack of signposting on part of the route, it is strongly recommended that you use a GPS in addition to the IGN map.

At the start, there is parking space for 3 to 4 vehicles.

Difficulty, according to the FFR grading guide:
Effort: 2, Easy (IBP45)
Technical difficulty: 4, Difficult (one section where you need to use your hands)
Risk: 3 (low)
This route is suitable for experienced walkers in good physical condition.

At the (5), access to the path requires you to “use your hands” to cross a sloping rocky section approximately 1.5 metres long. There are no significant difficulties, but you should take particular care over the first hundred metres as the path was damaged during the bad weather in November 2019.

The station and the Ardèche tourist train. The Mastrou. Railbike.
Views of the Duzon Viaduct
The Duzon Tanks
The Cité du Chocolat.