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(S) Park your vehicle after passing the old stone bridge, at the start of the path leading to the "La Mer de Glace" climbing site.
Pass the picnic tables and take the pleasant path to the west that winds along the Masse stream. You will arrive at pink granite boulders where two streams meet: the climbing site is the two small cliffs in front of you and to your right. The location is pleasant and cool.
(1) Turn left and you will see the start of the path opposite, on the other side of the stream. In winter, when the snow melts in the Pilat mountains, this stream can have a very high flow (more like a torrent) and may no longer be fordable. In this case, follow the stream along the left bank until you reach a narrow point where you can cross by jumping onto the other rock. You will then join the path that climbs to the left. Follow this path along the right bank of the stream, first in open country and then through pine forest. At this point, the soil is black, sticky and heavy when it has rained. The undergrowth and the steep banks at this point encourage damp and cold conditions.
(2) At the edge of the woods, you will come to the ruins of Raoulet. Climb up to the right through these ruins, leaving a bridge over the stream on your left. Only the framework remains of this bridge. The path climbs immediately (ignore the path that goes straight ahead). Make sure the soles of your shoes are free of sticky mud, otherwise you may slip on the stones during the ascent.
There are no markings here, so you will need to follow the trail, which sometimes climbs steeply and sometimes winds through the moorland. This pleasant trail quickly takes you up to a higher altitude, offering views of the Vivarais mountains, the small village of Toissieux and the few hamlets in the surrounding area.
At the first hairpin bend, which comes up quickly, do not follow the track that goes straight ahead, which is for mountain bikes (or motorbikes?). Take the second hairpin bend on your left, which starts at the foot of a tree. The climb is steep enough that you should not cut across the hairpin bends by following an unstable track underfoot. The route on the IGN map does not follow the actual terrain. Approximately after the third hairpin bend, the trail heads straight ahead (south-east) in the open. In some places, you will notice that this cliff-top path, now little used, was once reinforced with small retaining walls. The path crosses broom bushes and beautifully mossy rocks, revealing seeping spring water. You will also see the soot in a rock cavity, evidence of the terrible fire in 2000 that ravaged several hectares of forest (a barbecue that was not properly extinguished). Looking towards the top, you will see the skeletons of large dead trees in the middle of a nascent oak forest (downy oaks).
The path then climbs steeply to the left through a small group of fir trees (easy to recognise as they are the first ones you will encounter). The path then turns left again to reach a rocky plateau offering a clear view of the Rhône valley. Continue along the path, which descends slightly.
After passing some small walls that supported agricultural terraces (former vineyards?), continue to the left (west-northwest) where the path descends slightly and then climbs again, turning to the right and arriving in front of a rock formation. Descend a little to your left from the rock you are standing on so that you can pass the rock formation on the left. Follow the path, which climbs over the rocks at this point.
(3) When you reach the top of the rock formation, take the slightly wider path on the right that passes over the top and begins to descend towards the village of Toissieux, which you can see ahead. At the end of this path, you will come to a wide path covered in scree, which you should descend with caution. You will come to a wide path, which you take to the left. You will then wind your way down into the valley, cross two streams and then gently climb up the opposite slope towards the village of Toissieux.
(4) You will arrive in the village of Toissieux via the Sauzet climb. Continue straight ahead, going around the church until you reach Rue du Bachat, which you will take on the right, walking along a low wall. You will arrive on Route de Toissieux. Take the road on the right towards Bachelard. At the first house, you will see the Grande Randonnée de Pays trail starting below the road on the right.
(5) Take this red and yellow marked path and descend to the "Châtelard" signpost.
(6). From there, head towards Villevocance and descend to the road. Turn right and return to your vehicle.
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