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4 km from the centre of Vienne, climb up to the heights and park in the car park at the start of the walk under the woods (at the junction of the Montée des Grands Prés and the Chemin de Mépée). This car park can accommodate a dozen cars.
(S/E) The walk starts from a small path at the back of the car park, opposite the roads heading north-west. Once you have found this path, the start of the walk is clear. Follow a small forest road and then another path through the woods.
(1) Don't miss the turn-off on the right, taking a small path on the right. Join a small tarmac road that crosses the valley.
(2) Head west through the woods. As you leave the woods, you will discover a superb view of Pilat and the Rhône valley. You can also see the city of Vienne to the north. Continue until you reach the large building overlooking the Rhône valley.
(3) Take the road on the left heading due south and enter the Gerbole stream valley. This route descends steadily to the bottom of the valley at the Pont des Amoureux.
(4) Cross the bridge, continue straight ahead along the path and climb the beautiful slope to exit the valley. You will reach a crossroads with a path leading to the right to an antenna and to the left to the Croix des Chasseurs.
(5) Turn left and enjoy another beautiful view from the Croix des Chasseurs, which, depending on the weather, may also offer a view of the Alps. Continue on to the Chemin des Chasseurs and follow the path to the Chemin du Rondet crossroads.
(6) Leave the forest road and take a path through the woods that descends slightly at first and then climbs back up to a small tarmac road (where you will find a life-size reproduction of two bison in a private garden... Surprising!).
(7) Take another forest road. Descend gradually until you reach the Gerbole stream.
(8) Begin a very steep climb to the place called La Balme.
(9) Turn right onto the unpaved forest road and continue to a crossroads with a path.
(10) Leave this forest road and take the path on the right into the woods, then walk along the pretty Télégraphe pond.
(11) Turn left onto the road, then leave it and take a path through the woods, which is flat at first and then slopes gently downhill until you reach a small pond overlooking the tarmac road. Turn right onto this road to return to the car park where you started (S/E).
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