From Point du Jour to Saint-Haon-le-Châtel

Departure from Point du Jour, in the commune of Cherier, where you can leave your car (access via the D31, between Croix Trévingt and La Murette).

(S) Head north to the Isable ford near its source (remarkable beech trees, mill ruins on the right after the Isable).

(1) Continue down into the Isable valley; at the crossroads, turn right, then cut across the Besset road. Continue straight on to La Pertière.

(2) Keep going until you reach Bancillon.

(3) At the road, turn right, then descend to the right after the hamlet. Cross the road, then continue straight ahead to climb up to Vieux Cherier, crossing straight ahead at Rofat. You can visit the Romanesque church, with its medieval frescoes and statues.

(4) Go around the village on the left, turn right, then left at the cross to take the Chemin des Roches Sainte-Agathe (beautiful view of the Roanne plain and beyond, Mont Blanc to the east).

(5) Continue straight ahead, leaving the paragliding launch pad on your left, then continue through a deciduous forest, taking the flattest path to reach Grange Boutet.

(6) Stay on the path, then at Le Vignat, head downhill and continue straight ahead to the reservoir.

(7) Turn left twice, then keep right, including at Montroussier, to find the D31.

(8) Follow the D31 to the left, then descend to the right at the bend to reach the edge of the Montouse (beautiful waterfall below, off the route) at the top of the Gorges du Désert, in the commune of Saint-Alban-les-Eaux.

(9) Continue and cross the river to head east towards the village of Saudet, continuing straight ahead.

(10) Keep left twice, then cross the departmental road to go straight up through the Buyon Forest. Once you leave the woods, keep left and continue to the hamlet of Les Soutières.

(11) Turn right when you reach the road. Pass the antennas and the panorama that opens up again onto the plain below.

(12) Then follow the path that descends to the right towards Saint-André-d'Apchon, 400 m below. Keep going straight ahead until you reach the road and its bend.

(13) Continue downhill and turn right towards Les Villards. At the hamlet, continue straight ahead, then keep left at the hairpin bend, then turn right and continue straight ahead until you reach the Route d'Arcon.

(14) First turn right then left and stay on the track on the left. Continue straight ahead and pass in front of the town hall.

(15) Walk along the square of this pretty village decorated with flowers. You will see the castle on your right.

(16) At the end of the square, first turn left then right to take the street that leads to the beautiful church at the end on the left. At the church, go right, then turn right, stay on the same path to cross the Prébende, where the crossing of the vineyards of the Côte Roannaise begins.

(17) At the fork at the entrance to the vineyard, follow the path on the left. When you reach the road, follow it to the left until you reach a crossroads.

(18) Turn onto the road opposite. At Grandes Terres, go down to the right, then turn left. Continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads.

(19) Turn left, then right to cross the Renaison. Immediately afterwards, turn left into the street that runs alongside the stadium. Take the first path on the left (Sentier Chaudignot) until you reach Renaison.

(20) Go around Place Marie Crionnet on the left. After the bend, take the^first lane on the left for the steep climb that leads to the Bruchet chapel.

(21) Continue straight ahead, keeping your bearings as you cross a path and then a stream to reach Allée de Chazelles.

(22) Continue straight ahead. Pass a crossroads and continue straight ahead at the end of the path. Keep going to climb up to Chemin de la Croix Saint-Paul, in a place called Les Lorisses.

(23) Keep going straight ahead. At the cross, turn right, then continue straight ahead to reach Chemin de la Fontaine Conde at the end.

(24) Take the street on the right, then left onto Montée Charles VII, which leads to the foot of the ramparts; follow the street on the right to the town hall of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel and the lodge (E) (contact the Castel des Arts).

Water point, WC, shelter on the square in St-André-d'Apchon.

Communal lodge in St-Haon-le-Châtel, upstairs at Castel des Arts, meals available at the restaurant opposite the lodge.

Romanesque church of Vieux Cherier (frescoes, listed statues) - Medieval village of St Haon le Châtel (ramparts, half-timbered houses, etc.)