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Park on the left, on the edge of the D260 road, in the small gravel area (hunting car park) 2 km from Malbrans, just at the entrance to the Bois des Lavanches, at the entrance to the gravel path that leads to the Chapelle du Croc. There are no markings, but there are enough landmarks to guide you.
(S/E) Cross the road and take the beautiful gravel road opposite, running alongside the meadow (with Malbrans on your right). The road gradually loses its gravel surface and becomes a simple field path. Cross the meadow lengthwise to find, at the edge of the woods, the forest path that will quickly lead you to a small tarmac road. Then turn right.
(1) Leave the small road on your right and continue straight ahead to the edge of the woods. When the road ends, continue through the pasture along the left-hand edge and follow a forest path to ONF signs nos. 19, 20 and 21. Then turn right and carefully make your way to the first unsecured viewpoint over the Val de Cademène and Mont Poupet. The farm track becomes a cattle track and, with the cliffs in sight, disappears into the sharp limestone pavement, which you should cross with caution.
(2) Turn back about a hundred metres to the start of the sharp limestone pavement and, at ONF signs no. 21 and A, take the path on the right that runs parallel to the cliffs. The path becomes a logging track which joins another stony track that you will follow downhill to the right, passing between signs 21 and 22.
(3) Cross the D260 to take the small road opposite, passing in front of the picnic tables. The road ends in a field. Look for a gap in the bushes on the right and climb diagonally towards the corner of the edge. A path will lead you to the Rocher de Colonne. You will reach a path at right angles; climb to the left.
(4) At the green sign for the protected nature reserve, carefully walk along the edge of the cliffs on the right to climb up to the unsecured viewpoint, with views of Cléron and the Loue valley. Return to the foot of the sign and follow the path to the right to a second unsecured viewpoint overlooking Scey-en-Varais, Castel Saint-Denis and the entrance to the Loue Gorges. Then continue along the path to the Chapelle du Croc chapel.
(5) Turn left onto the gravel path to return to the D260 and the car park (S/E).
The route includes cliffside paths and unsecured viewpoints. The paths are rocky and slippery in places. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
Visorando member
Moderate 
