Country:
City:
Yellow and whitePR®® markings are virtually non-existent (only a few directional posts) except on the very last section where the path has been cleared.
Car park opposite La Planche de Gourdon Town Hall.
(S/E) Opposite the town hall, head down the small road on the right which crosses the River Oize and leads to Jarniac.
(1) When you reach the first farm in this hamlet, head for the Jarniac signpost and follow the signs for Col de l’Escrinet. Head up to the left along a wide track. At the next two junctions, turn left. The track becomes increasingly overgrown (broom, stinging nettles, etc.), and you’ll have to make your way through the undergrowth as best you can. (see ‘Practical Information’ note), but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way. A little further up, you’ll come to a small fork; take the path on the left, heading up towards the Col de l’Escrinet. You’ll reach the small road leading to the hamlet of Gourdon and the Geneste signpost.
(2) Continue straight ahead, towards the Col de l’Escrinet. Pass in front of the house in the hamlet of La Geneste, and immediately afterwards take the path climbing to the left, heading north-east (sign: l’Auriol). A little further up, this path emerges near some grassy terraced fields, turns 90° to the left between some rocks, and climbs up to join a wide track. Follow the track to the Auriol farm. Go round it on the left (a very grassy path, not very visible). Join a wide track.
(3) At the junction, take this track to the left until the next fork.
(4) Turn right and follow the track.
(5) Reach the hamlet of Gourdon. Walk alongside it. Continue along the road, straight ahead. A few hundred metres further on, you’ll come to a slight bend in the road, forming a very wide earth verge.
(6) The path leading up to the Roc de Gourdon starts here, on the left (sign: ‘hunting reserve’ – private property but access is not prohibited). Continue the ascent, which is currently clear of obstacles. You’ll pass close to a hut that was once a coaching inn. Carry on climbing. After a narrow passage between the rocks, you’ll reach the Roc de Gourdon plateau; walk all the way round it to enjoy the superb panoramic views.
(7) Roc de Gourdon. Return along the same route as on the way up.
(4) Turn right onto the track leading to the hamlet and the Col de Sarrasset. Don’t miss: the information boards for the Monts d’Ardèche Park and the Geological Area, just before you reach the junction.
(8) Cross the D122, then leave the small road to Sarrasset on your right and head straight up the wide track directly opposite, which you must not leave. A little further up, at a junction marked PR®, continue climbing along the same path straight ahead. The terrain levels out before reaching a fork in the road at a left-hand bend.
(9) Head down the track on the left. Walk past the Champrévert farm on your left, then past the Champrévert lodge before reaching the D122. Follow it to the left for about a hundred metres.
(10) Turn right (there is a yellow and white marker on the right on the cattle gate) to take a path crossing a meadow where cows are grazing (cross calmly and quietly so as not to disturb them). The path is fairly clear and descends into the Oize valley, heading south. At a sharp bend to the left, it turns north-east, climbs slightly and, after a sharp bend to the right, becomes a wide track. Follow it to the right, heading south-south-west. Do not leave this track, which is easy to follow as it is lined with posts. Further down, it passes through woodland, crosses a stream and then reaches the Rabachau farm and a small road.
(11) At this junction, follow the clearly marked yellow and white signposts. Head down to the right along the small road until you reach the next crossroads, at a hairpin bend. Turn right and continue along the road. Cross the River Oize and carry on towards the hamlet of Courbière.
(12) Just before the hamlet, head down to the left along a lovely, well-cleared and clearly signposted path overlooking the Oize stream. Ignore the small tracks crossing this main path.
(13) When you reach an old mill, leave it on your left and carry on, keeping well to the right bank of the stream without leaving the main path.
(14) When you reach the RD257, follow it to the left up to the junction with the D256, then turn right, cross the hamlet of La Planche de Gourdon to reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Difficult 
