Country:
District:
Park on the side of the road, on the D260, 1.8km from Malbrans, where the main road makes a 90° turn, at the start of the gravel path (signposted "réserve de chasse et de faune sauvage" - hunting and wildlife reserve). No signposts.
(S/E) Set off along the gravel road, pass the first dirt track on your left and, at the next fork, turn left down the small tarmac road. This ends in a pasture and becomes a field path that veers to the right to reach the edge of the forest. The path quickly becomes gravel and, as you enter the woods, gives way to a beautiful little tarmac road that branches off to the left, running along the edge of the forest. When you reach another small tarmac road at a right angle, continue to the left to re-enter the woods for about 200 metres.
(1) Please note! Ignore the first path on the left (new hunting reserve sign). Walk ten steps and turn right onto the path that enters the woods at an angle. Immediately ignore a poorly maintained track that branches off to the left towards a fir tree plantation and continue straight ahead. Shortly afterwards, you will come to a wider path at a right angle. Continue straight ahead, crossing a few sharp limestone pavements. Stay on this straight path.
(2) At a sign for "Office nationale numéro 6", you will come to a wider forest path at a right angle. Turn right and walk about ten steps, then at the fork, immediately turn left onto the wide dirt forest path.
(3) Cross the D260 to take the small road opposite, passing in front of the picnic tables. The road ends in a field. Look for a gap in the bushes on the right and climb diagonally towards the corner of the edge. A path will lead you to the Rocher de Colonne. When you reach another path at right angles, climb to the left. At the green sign marked "Zone naturelle protégée" (protected nature reserve), carefully walk along the edge of the cliffs on your right to climb up to the unsecured viewpoint, which offers a view of Cléron, its castle and the Loue valley.
(4) Return to the foot of the sign and follow the path to the right to a second unsecured viewpoint overlooking Scey-en-Varais, Castel Saint-Denis, the entrance to the Loue Gorges and the Hautepierre rock. Then continue along the path to the Chapelle du Croc.
(5) Climb up for a return trip to the chapel behind the house. Retrace your steps and turn right to return to the departmental road. Continue to the right to return to your starting point (S/E).
The route includes cliff paths and unsecured viewpoints. Rocky and slippery paths in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Moderate 
