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200 metres from the hiking information sign, on the Route de Privas (D7) at Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, there are a few parking spaces at the junction of the start and finish routes.
(Start/Finish) Follow the white and yellow markings on the D7, heading away from the village. At the first Fork in the road, leave the D7 and continue straight on into the housing estate. Return to the D7, cross it and turn right.
(1) Pass through the housing estate, still following the signposting, and head towards “Basaltes, Jastrie”. At the junction with the “Jastrie” sign, carry on straight ahead; the tarmac road soon turns into a dirt track which will take you to Bas Montbrun, still following the white and yellow signposting.
(2) In the bends, there are stunning views over the Claduègne valley, Villeneuve-de-Berg and Mont Juliau on the other side of the main road. In the background are the Cévennes hills of the Ardèche and, in the distance, Mont Lozère.
Continue along the track.
(3) In the basalt cliff opposite and below, you can see the entrances to the troglodyte dwellings.
When you reach the first houses, turn left onto the paved slanting street leading down towards Les Balmes; at the start of the street there is an information board about the site.
(4) Brown-painted signs invite you to head down to the left towards Les Balmes or the chapel. Do not hesitate to head down to Les Balmes, where there are numerous information boards and signposts. On your return, a path leads across to the chapel and the site of the castle keep. Continue straight on past the chapel to join the path to Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron.
(5) Take the path down to your left (at the sign marked ‘chapel’). Follow the signposted path (north) through the trees until you reach the RD7, which you will cross (barriers). Continue straight ahead and head down to the river.
(6) Cross the Claduègne via a footbridge, then turn right on the other side. Begin the climb up to Saint-Gineis-en-Coiron. There are numerous hairpin bends; pay attention to the white-and-yellow markings at the various junctions.
When you reach the first houses in the village, turn right, then immediately left, until you reach the hiking information sign below the church.
(7) Opposite the church (a listed building), turn left onto the road signposted ‘Mirabel Darbres’. Follow this small tarmac road, which offers sweeping views of the farmland and livestock on the Coiron plateau. We saw plenty of birds of prey when we passed through this spring.
(8) At the ‘Pas de Vendrias’ signpost, at the Fork in the road, turn left towards Mirabel. In the distance, you can see Mont Redon. Signposting is sparse!
(9) At the Croix des Avias, carry on 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 across the bends. Return to the road and continue in the same direction.
(11) At the next crossroads, Mât Mirabel, take a short round trip to the tower overlooking the village of Mirabel. This tower, visible from many of the surrounding villages, is the sole remnant of a medieval castle; it was restored in 1970 by its current owner.
Return to the tower.
(11) Turn right towards Saint-Jean-le-Centenier (5.6 km). The road runs alongside the basalt cliffs of Mirabel, climbs, and from the transmission pylon descends towards Saint-Jean-le-Centenier, passing through the hamlet of Les Rochers with its houses built amongst the basalt boulders.
(12) Continue via 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 back to the starting point (S/E).
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