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Access to the hamlet of Saint-Sabin:
- From the Rhône valley, via Pélussin, take the Col de l'Oeillon towards Le Bessat for 1 km, then turn left onto a small road that leads to the hamlet of St-Sabin.
- Or from St-Étienne or St-Chamond, via the Croix de Chaubouret towards Pélussin for 10 km, then turn right onto a small road that leads to the hamlet of St-Sabin.
Park in the shaded car park near the Croix de Saint-Sabin.
(S/E) Head east on the track towards the Chapel of St-Sabin. After 100 m, turn right onto the path that climbs towards the chapel. From the chapel, take the path that follows the ridge line southwards for 800 m.
You will reach a fork (elevation 1075).
(1) Take the forest track on the right, which will take you back to the car park where thefirst circular ends.
(S/E) Follow the road towards the Croix de Saint-Sabin. At the crossroads by the cross, take the stony track opposite which climbs towards the Col du Gratteau. Before reaching the Rocher de Chauchibat, you will come to another crossroads.
(2) Leave the very stony track on the left and take the gentler one on the right that climbs up to the Col du Gratteau. Reach this pass.
(3) Walk along the car park via the wooden platform to take the metal stairs that lead down to the Pic des Trois Dents trail. The trail climbs gently between broom and whitebeam trees. Ignore all the paths that climb up to your left. You will reach the Les Trois Dents signpost.
(4) Take the path on the left towards Small Pass de l'Œillon and Col de Bote. The start is steep, with boulders that require the use of your hands. The climb then becomes gentler. You will come out at Small Pass de l'Œillon.
(5) Cross the D63 coming from Pélussin and take the path that enters the forest towards the shepherd's hut. Return to the road and the car park below Crêt de l'Œillon.
(6) Turn right onto the path that leads directly to the summit of Crêt de l'Œillon.
(7) Go around the TDF (Télédiffusion de France) relay station and enjoy the majestic 360° view. Return to the Col de l'Œillon via the uphill path.
(6) Cross the relay access road and take the path on the left that cuts across the inside of the Bessat road bend. Continue to Col de l'Œillon.
(5) Turn right to reach the Croix de l'Oeillon, cross the D 63 and take the track through the meadow by the cross. Cross the D 63 again and follow the path opposite, which passes behind the Hôtel de l'Œillon. Pass the hotel and, at the end of the left-hand bend, take the barely marked path that brings you back to the D 63 just before the Col du Gratteau, which marks the end of thesecond circular (altitude 1204).
(8) Turn right, at a 90° angle, onto the path that descends to the hamlet of Chaumienne.
(9) Shortly before the hamlet (altitude 1136), turn left onto the small road and follow it southwards to find a Y-junction a few hundred metres further on.
(10) Leave the road and turn left onto the path that climbs through a beautiful beech forest. This is the Black mountain bike route. Descend to reach the Saint-Sabin road (elevation 1078).
(11) Take it to the left, find the Croix de Saint-Sabin and then, on the right, the car park for this cross, which also marks the end of thethird circular (S/E).
A very beautiful walk in perfect weather: beautiful landscapes, alternating ridges and forest passages.
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
