Le Rocher Tourte from La Roule

Park in the hamlet of La Roule, on the small esplanade by the electricity pole opposite a fountain.

(S/E) Take the road on the right towards the ruins of Girard and the hamlet of Massibrand.

(1) At the start of the long descent towards Massibrand, take the path on the left, which climbs and soon joins a route marked in yellow and yellow and red. Climb up to the entrance to the Bois de Lachamp, marked by a small pond on the left.

(2) Cross the woods, then continue straight ahead until you reach a road. Cross it by first turning left then right.

(3) Pass the hamlet of L'Estrade and begin the long descent to Largentière. When you see the first house, turn right onto the path leading to this house (watering trough) and then take the road to the departmental road.

(4) Cross it carefully and take the path opposite (red and white markings).

(5) Cross the Collance stream and climb up towards the Ribeyre farm, then follow the road to an intersection (farm on the right, beige bungalow on the left).

(6) Take the road on the right and, after Le Chamas, take the first path on the left up towards the forest and the Bellevue house.

(7) At this point, turn right and follow the yellow markings for the "Rocher Tourte" hiking trail. This trail runs along the forest on your left and offers a beautiful view of the Monts d'Ardèche with the Knoll de Taupernas and Knoll de la Lauzière in front of you.

(8) Turn left to enter the woods, still following the yellow markings. Climb up to the forest track with Johanel's house on your right. Continue climbing through the woods to the highest point: the Rocher Tourte, which appears on your left. Depending on the weather and the season, you may see a few spider-men setting out to conquer it. (You can walk to the foot of the rock and back by taking the path on the left marked with a purple sign.) In front of you are Mont d'Alambre and Mont Mézenc.

(9) Follow the path, which gradually widens, leaving a forest track on your left, and continue to follow the yellow markings until you reach a car park at the intersection of a new track.

(10) Follow this track on the left, which is quickly joined by the red and white markings of the GR®40. Follow these markings until you reach the entrance to Freycenet-la-Cuche. As you leave the second wood, you will find yourself facing Roche du Bachat and the pretty house of Peyrot. In the distance, you can see the Meygal massif. You will arrive just at the corner of the Poupoulèche chalet.

(11) Turn left onto the path that leads, between trees and streams, to the Grangette farm.

(12) Join a road, pass the Traversier farm and descend to Freycenet-la-Cuche.

(13) At the bottom of the descent, in a slight bend, leave the road and the GR®40 and take a path on the right that enters the village, opposite the church. You can take a short walk through the village to see the 16th-century fortified house. In front of the church, take the road on the right until you reach a fork.

(14) Continue on the D634 to the left. This road descends to the Ruisseau de la Collance stream and then climbs back up to the junction with the D535 (signposted "Le Béage" and "Le Monastier").

(15) Cross carefully and enter a coniferous forest via a track on the right. At the first circular bend, turn onto the old forest track, which is no longer maintained and climbs very steeply. Be careful here not to follow the track that continues northwards on a gentle incline and then descends again. This is the only real point of caution on the entire route. Cross the Mézenc National Forest to the top of the slope where there is a clearing next to a meadow.

(16) Reach the meadow fence and follow the GR®40 (red and white and yellow markings) to the right towards the Barthe Redonde farm.

(17) Just before the farm, leave the marked trail and turn left onto a stony path that climbs steeply, then quickly levels out to join the road known as the Voie romaine, between meadows and pine woods.

(18) At the intersection marked by an upright stone, take the road on the left and enter the coniferous forest. Continue until you reach a road on the right, Route de Lasteyres.

(19) Turn onto this road, which leads back to the car park in the hamlet of La Roule (S/E).

Good walking shoes are essential (stony and sometimes wet terrain depending on the weather). Walking sticks are recommended for added comfort.

There are no drinking water points along the route except in Freycenet-la-Cuche, so please plan accordingly.

Food available at the Auberge de la Cistre in Freycenet-la-Cuche and the Auberge du Présaillou in Présailles (booking required in both cases).

All shops are located in Le Monastier, Le Béage and Les Estables (10-15 minutes by car).

Rocher Tourte climbing site.

Panoramic views of the Monts d'Ardèche and the peaks of the Massif du Mézenc.

16th-century fortified house in Freycenet-la-Cuche (not open to visitors).

Issarlès Lake 20 minutes away by car, for a refreshing dip after your hike!