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To get to the start of the hike, take the small road between Flaviac and Coux that leads to the Fromagerie des Biquettes de la Jaubernie. Continue past the farm and a dovecote, then park near the barn (several vehicles can be parked there).
(S/E) The start is on the left (signpost for Les Grottes). Follow the yellow and white markings on a sandstone slab, which climbs quite steeply. This rather surprising rock is actually the roof of the caves that you will see at the end of the walk
(1) When the slab flattens out, you will see the remains of the outlines of old millstones. There is also a beautiful view of the town of Privas and its surroundings. Then take a path on the right, marked in yellow and white. The path is almost flat and leads easily to the hamlet of Les Plaines.
(2) At the intersection, do not go down the road on the right, which is still marked in yellow and white and leads to the hamlet, but continue straight ahead on the road on the left. Pass under a beautiful stone house and you will soon find the white and yellow markings on a path that branches off to the right.
(3) When you reach a sign saying "Chemin privé" (private road), take a narrow, fairly well-marked (but unmarked) path on the right that climbs through the woods.
Please note that in July 2021, several hikers reported difficulties passing through this path due to fallen trees. It is possible to avoid this section by continuing straight ahead uphill and, when you reach the flat path, turn right to reach the St Quintin farm. At the end of August 2021, a hiker reported that the path had been cleared.
(4) The trail, which is a bit overgrown, is easy to find. It comes out at the Serre de l'Église near the Saint-Quintin farm, the ruins of what was once an imposing property.
(5) Continue on the right to reach the Croix de Gruas. From there, you can continue to the Serre de Gruas transmitter (very beautiful views of the Vercors and Grand Veymont). Continue to the Gruas lodge.
(6) Descend towards the Saint-Quintin farm.
(5) Continue down the pleasant path on the right with a wide panorama. Continuing along the path, you will find meadows for picnicking further down. Ignore the paths on the right and left and continue to the Col de la Croix de Vialette.
(7) Take the road on the left that descends towards Le Roure.
(8) At the entrance to Roure, turn left onto a path that descends through chestnut groves. After a few hairpin bends, you will reach a place called Ubac.
(9) Continue along the road on the left, crossing a small stone bridge. Through gaps in the trees, you can see the cliff and the fortifications of the caves opposite. Continue straight ahead on a path that leads back to Les Baumes. Pass to the left of a chicken coop and then find the marked path on the right that descends steeply towards the caves. There you will discover several caves in succession. The first one is very large and can be easily visited, while the others are higher up and less accessible. Please respect these sites, as they are private property.
(1) After the last cave, turn left to find the bottom of the sandstone slab that leads back to the sign at the starting point (S/E).
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