Country:
City:
200 metres from the hiking information sign, on the Route de Privas (D7) in Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, there are a few parking spaces at the junction of the departure and arrival roads.
(S/E) Follow the white and yellow signs on the D7, away from the village. At the first fork, leave the D7 and continue straight ahead into the housing estate. Return to the D7, cross it and turn right.
(1) Pass through the housing estate, still following the signs, and head towards "Basaltes, Jastrie". At the crossroads, follow the sign for "Jastrie" and continue straight ahead. The tarmac road quickly becomes a dirt track which will take you to Bas Montbrun. Keep following the white and yellow signs.
(2) In the bends, there is a beautiful view of the Claduègne valley, Villeneuve de Berg and Mont Juliau on the other side of the main road. In the background are the greenhouses of the Ardèche Cévennes and, in the distance, Mont Lozère.
Continue along the track.
(3) In the basalt cliff opposite and below are the openings of the troglodyte dwellings.
When you reach the first houses, take the paved slanting street on the left that descends towards Les Balmes. At the entrance to the street, there is a sign explaining the site.
(4) Brown painted signs invite you to descend to the left towards Les Balmes or the chapel. Don't hesitate to go down to Les Balmes, where there are numerous signs and information panels. On the way back, a path crosses towards the chapel and the site of the castle keep. Continue straight ahead after the chapel to join the Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron trail.
(5) Take the path downhill on your left (at the sign marked "chapelle"). Follow the path (north) marked in the trees until you reach the RD7, which you will cross (barriers). Continue straight ahead and descend to the river.
(6) Cross the Claduègne river via a footbridge, then turn right on the other side. Begin the climb to Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron. There are numerous hairpin bends, so pay attention to the white and yellow markings at the various junctions.
When you reach the first houses in the village, turn right and then immediately left until you see the hiking information sign under the church.
(7) Opposite the church (listed as a historic monument), turn left onto the road signposted "Mirabel Darbres". Follow this small tarmac road, which offers a wide view of the crops and livestock farming on the Coiron plateau. There were many birds of prey when we passed through in the spring.
(8) At the "Pas de Vendrias" signpost, at the fork in the road, turn left towards Mirabel. You can see Mont Redon in the distance. Signposting is sparse!
(9) At the Croix des Avias, continue straight ahead. The road descends towards Mirabel after passing Mont Redon.
(10) At the first hairpin bend, you can take a grassy path to cut the corners. Return to the road and continue in the same direction.
(11) At the next crossroads, Mât Mirabel, make a return trip to the tower overlooking the village of Mirabel. This tower, visible from many surrounding villages, is the only remnant of a medieval castle. It was restored in 1970 by its current owner.
Return to the mast.
(11) Turn right towards Saint-Jean-le-Centenier (5.6 km). The road runs along the basalt cliffs of Mirabel, climbs up and, from the transmission tower, descends towards Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, passing through the hamlet of Les Rochers with its houses built between basalt blocks.
(12) Continue through Les Hébrards and Le Moulin. On the other side of the bridge over the Claduègne, you can see the water channel leading to the mill. Final climb to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
