The Gerbaix viewpoint from Côte Barrier

After leaving the D1006, park by the cross at the entrance to the hamlet of Côte Barrier.

(S/E) With your back to the car park, follow the signs for the campsite.

(1) At the bend in the road, take the path opposite. At first, it is a pleasant path surrounded by pine forests. It then veers slightly to the left and enters the woodland. After passing between rocky outcrops, it descends to join the GR®9.

(2) Follow it to the right until you reach a good forest track. Leave the GR®9. First turn left then right, and head up the forest track. At the end of the track, take the path on the right.

(3) Pass by a pond and arrive at a gate which you must go through. You’ll reach the ruins of Gerbaix above.

(4) Pass the ruins and, from here, follow the GPX track closely as there isn’t really a proper path. After crossing a wood, head down to the right through alpine pastures and join a small road (there is a caravan just before the road).

(5) Turn left onto the road until you reach the bend to the left, where a small path descends to the right, heading due west.

(6) Take care, as the path is initially obscured by ferns and brambles. It alternates between ascents and descents, sometimes through brambles and sometimes over a few rocks. You’ll reach the junction with the GR®9 path coming from the Saint-Blaise car park.

(7) Head straight on along the GR®9, which follows the cliff face of the Gorges de l’Échaillon.

(8) Here, a panoramic view offers a glimpse of the heights of the gorges. Continue with caution along the cliff face.

(9) Leave the GR®9, which descends to the left towards Pont Saint-Martin. Turn right. Further on, at the fork, stay on the path that heads left to reach the Gerbaix viewpoint.

(10) Leave the viewpoint and follow the path to the left. At a sharp bend to the left, carry straight on until you reach the junction at elevation 565. Ignore the paths to the left and right and continue straight ahead. The path will bend to the left and join the Route de Saint-Blaise.

(11) Turn right, heading due south along the small road, pass a house and arrive at the pond on the right.

(12) After visiting the spring and returning, head back to the crossroads and turn right onto the forest track for 100 m.

(13) Head far to the left onto the barely visible path through the tall grass. Follow it straight ahead. It widens, becomes an easy walk and joins the Route de Côte Barrier at the D1006.

(14) Do not turn onto this road. Turn right, heading due east along the Route de Côte Barrier for 200 m, to return to the car park (S/E).

I recommend wearing trousers on this walk as there are plenty of brambles between (6) and (7). Between (5) and (6) there is no path; make sure you follow the GPX track closely. Between (7) and (9), take care as the path runs along the cliff face. There are no water points except at (3) and (12) for the dogs.

The views and varied landscapes. The hamlet of Côte Barrier.