Park in the car park south of the village, near the tourist office, along the D36, on the right as you come from the Col de la Clède.
(S/E) Head up into the village, slightly to the left, towards the ski slopes, passing in front of the town hall.
(1) At the barrier, turn right, walk past a bar/restaurant on your right and continue along the path that runs alongside the ski slopes.
(2) Continue straight on (the return route will be via the path on the left). After 500 m, at the first fork, take the path on the left, then 400 m further on, at the second fork, take the path on the right.
(3) At the Costebelle cross-country ski centre, follow the D274 opposite and immediately take a side lane running parallel to it, which avoids walking on the tarmac.
(4) At the junction, continue straight on towards Le Mézenc and you will soon reach La Croix de Peccata (car park).
(5) Turn right and follow the path south-east to a junction.
(6) Turn left towards Mont Mézenc. Climb up to a fork.
(7) Turn right and you’ll soon reach an unnamed pass between the two peaks of the Mézenc.
(8) Take the first path on the right and you’ll soon reach the southern summit of Mont Mézenc, on the Ardèche side, with a 360° view of the Ardèche and Haute-Loire – take a moment to enjoy it.
(9) Continue on your way, turn left (east-southeast) then left again (north-northwest) to return to the unnamed pass.
(8) Head straight on (north-west) to the northern summit, the Croix du Mézenc.
(10) Summit of Mont Mézenc on the Haute-Loire side, still with a 360° view of the Ardèche and the Haute-Loire. Turn left (south-southeast). At the junction that appears shortly afterwards, turn right and head back down to a junction you passed on the way up.
(7) Continue straight on (south-west) and head back down to another junction you have already passed.
(6) Take the path further to the left and follow it downhill to the Croix de Boutières car park.
(11) At the crossroads, carefully cross the D400 to reach the beautiful meadow, and with a bit of luck you’ll see some gliders taking off.
(12) You can walk further into this meadow to enjoy the view of the Ardèche and any gliders in flight, then return to the junction with the D400.
(11) Take the path on the left (west-north-west), which runs parallel to the D400.
(13) At the junction, turn right onto a path that climbs slightly. Walk northwards between fenced meadows on the left and a pine forest on the right. Ignore the paths branching off to the right.
(4) Join the D274 and follow it to the left.
(3) At the Costebelle ski resort, turn right uphill and pass a forest house on your left. Continue north-west on the GR®40 (red and white markings).
(14) At the junction, continue straight ahead (let the GR® head off to the right). Climb steadily through the forest. You’ll reach open ground and arrive at the summit of Mont d’Alambre, where an antenna has been erected.
(15) Turn left then veer right to descend alongside a ski lift line.
(16) Just before the bottom of the ski lift, turn right onto a path. Head straight along the mountainside.
(17) You will come out onto a wide forest track; follow it to the left. Pass the hamlet of Raffet on your right. Cross a small road, go under the ski lift cables and arrive at the junction you took at the start of the hike.
(2) Turn right, follow the path you took on the way there in the opposite direction, and return to the car park (S/E).