The Three Springs Route

Park your car at the Croix de Boiray, a large crossroads with several forest tracks.

(S/E) Head towards the track as if going to Boiray (north-north-west) to take the first path on your left. A wide, pleasant path that winds along the ridges (Knolls of Soupyère and Chomeille). You will pass a small hunters’ hut, where a path from the peaks on your left joins it; ignore this path. Then you’ll come to a large shelter (the remains of what might have been a hut, judging by the sections of wall still standing) which can be used in bad weather. A distinctive, slightly ‘Art Deco’-style bench almost opposite indicates that you’re on the right track. Continue straight ahead along the path, ignoring yet another wide path that descends to your right.

(1) Continue left until the next junction.

(2) At the crossroads, you will see a sign pointing towards Chirat Blanc. This is the path to take.
However, before taking it, go a few metres past the junction to see the first spring, which is located along the slope of Suc de Barry (also known as Chirat Blanc).
Then retrace your steps to take the path leading up to the scree on the left (or on your right when returning from the spring). You will soon come across a sign indicating a second spring, Fontauvert.

(3) Follow the small grassy path leading there. A lovely spot next to a moss-covered ruin, a remnant of an old dwelling that must have given the spring its name.
I wonder if the lower spring isn’t a resurgence of this one...

Continue along the path towards Le Scree. You will then arrive at the Col de la Croix du Knoll. A beautiful, large clearing where fallen trees invite you to pause and admire the view over the Vocance valley. The Croix du Knoll is ahead on your right.

(4) Keep it on your right and turn left towards the Col de la Supyère.

(5) Once you reach the pass, turn left and ignore the path that descends slightly (running parallel to the one you will follow, marked with yellow and white signs) to take the path straight ahead that climbs gently (marked with yellow and red signs). You will cross a pine forest (watch out for roots protruding from the ground). You rejoin the path you left earlier and continue straight ahead along the forest track towards La Celle.

(6) Cross over to the other side of the mountain, leaving two paths on your right.
Pass another path that joins the road on your left, then a wide one descending to your right, to reach La Celle. The track you are on turns left and you follow it until you reach the Croix de Boirey (ignoring two paths on your left and one further on descending to your right).

(S/E) Back at the Croix de Boirey, after this short warm-up, you’re ready to tackle the Suc de Vent, where our third knoll is located.
From the Croix de Boirey, turn left onto the road that climbs to the right and points towards a fire reservoir (^GR® de Pays trail, marked in red and yellow). The path is open at the start but then becomes shaded and is pleasant to walk along. Pass two roads climbing up on your right. The path begins to descend towards Les Hôpitaux. At this point, a grassy path climbing up appears on your right, signposted for “Javelle” and “La Roche des Vents”.

(7) Follow it to reach this hamlet. You will arrive at a bend in the path. Continue straight ahead, climbing up to pass the ruins of “Javelle” and join the Suc de Prioula knoll road.

(8) Once you reach it (the signposts have been torn down), turn right to reach "Roche des Vents".

(9) A pleasant pass where air masses from the Rhône Valley (warmer air) via the Pays d’Ay meet those from the Pays de Vocance (mountain air, drier and cooler). This usually creates turbulence and consequently strong winds.
From here, follow the^GR® de Pays, Tour du bassin d'Annonay (yellow and white markings). When you reach a crossroads, go straight ahead onto the path that climbs (the left-hand path, twice) and you will soon come to a marked path on your right along the ridge of the Roche des Vents.
Take this path, cross another junction and take the very stony and fairly steep path directly ahead of you (not shown on the IGN map). You will reach a flat area where the third spring is marked on your left. However, having done this route in winter, I did not see it because of the snow. So it remains for you to discover it...

(10) Opposite this clearing, a wide, grassy path descends to the right. Follow this wide, picturesque path, which will lead you to a shaded road. Turn left; you will pass a typical Ardèche mountain dwelling, built into the mountainside.

(11) When you reach a large bend, you’ll find two forest tracks ahead of you. Turn right off the track onto the red and yellow-marked path. This will take you down to your vehicle, parked at La Croix de Boiray (S/E).

Part of the route is shaded, but other sections are exposed. Remember to bring a hat, sun cream and water for this walk in summer.

Good walking shoes are recommended.

La Roche des Vents and Le Suc de Vent live up to their names: remember to bring a windbreaker to protect vulnerable people who may feel the chill after exertion. In winter, these heights are snow-covered and this section of the route, which is mainly north-facing, can be very cold and difficult to navigate.

Alternative route:
From the Croix de Boirey, take the^GR®42on your right towards Satillieu and leave it fairly quickly to take the^GR® de pays on your left, which climbs (Tour du Bassin d'Annonay on the IGN map,^PR®7signposting on the path) towards the Pinède des Soies. Climb up and continue along this path, leaving at least two forest tracks suitable for vehicles on your right. You’ll reach a flat section just as the path turns right and crosses over to the other side of the Suc de Vent knoll.

Keep following the path. When you reach a junction, ignore the road climbing up to your right, then a few metres further on, follow the sign for the “Route des Trois Sources” or^PR®7, which points you straight ahead (ignore the path leading down towards Les Granges Neuves). You will pass a hut, likely used by hunters, built into the mountainside, typical of Ardèche architecture.

Leave the^PR®7and take the path climbing up to your right (not shown on the IGN map), where a sign indicates a spring 300m away. The climb is grassy but straightforward. You’ll then join the stony path coming from La Roche des Vents, which leads you to Le Knoll de Vent. You’ll come out onto the path with a small flat area ahead of you, where another sign tells you that you’re now close to the third spring (10m away).

Take this very stony path on the right to climb the Knoll of Vent. You’ll reach a rocky outcrop offering a beautiful view over the Ay region. The IGN map doesn’t show this spot as there’s no path marked here. Continue winding your way west-north-west, then begin a descent that will take you back to the road you left at the first flat section. Take the wide path you have just joined on the left, as if retracing the route from the start of this second circular loop in reverse, but just to your right, you will see the^GRP® (red and yellow markings) on the right, leading into the forest. This descent will take you to the Croix de Boiray, where your vehicle is parked.