Mont Mézenc and Mont d'Alambre from Les Estables

Starting from Les Estables, Mont Mézenc, La Croix des Boutières and back via Mont d’Alambre. The descent from Mont d’Alambre is partly via a ski run, so avoid this route when the ski area is open. A very pleasant and varied hike. The ascent of Mont Mézenc is very well signposted and not very steep; the two summits of the mountain offer fabulous views over the Ardèche, the Haute-Loire and much more; this part of the route is quite busy. From Mont d’Alambre, things get slightly tougher. The climb is steeper but not excessively so, and not very long. The descent from the summit back to the path is steeper as we took a ski run; it is far from dangerous, as you are walking on grass. The rest of the return journey is flat with a slight downhill gradient.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 665 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 664 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,752 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,338 m

Photos

Description of the walk

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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,338 m - Car park along the D36
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 1,348 m - Red and white barrier
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 1,421 m - Junction with the Western Circular Loop
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 1,510 m - Crossroads - Costebelle Ski Resort
  5. 4 : km 2.42 - alt. 1,552 m - Junction with the southern circular loop
  6. 5 : km 2.65 - alt. 1,569 m - Croix de Peccata
  7. 6 : km 3.74 - alt. 1,651 m - Junction of the eastern circular loop
  8. 7 : km 4.12 - alt. 1,701 m - Fourche
  9. 8 : km 4.3 - alt. 1,728 m - Unnamed pass
  10. 9 : km 4.47 - alt. 1,752 m - Mont Mézenc
  11. 10 : km 5.15 - alt. 1,743 m - Croix du Mézenc (1744 m)
  12. 11 : km 7.3 - alt. 1,508 m - Crossroads
  13. 12 : km 7.39 - alt. 1,501 m - Paragliding take-off meadow
  14. 13 : km 7.7 - alt. 1,498 m - Crossroads
  15. 14 : km 11 - alt. 1,570 m - Crossroads
  16. 15 : km 11.76 - alt. 1,691 m - Mont d'Alambre (1691m)
  17. 16 : km 12.35 - alt. 1,526 m - Crossroads
  18. 17 : km 13.55 - alt. 1,492 m - Forest track
  19. S/E : km 15.93 - alt. 1,338 m - Car park along the D36

Notes

Do not follow this route when the ski lift is open.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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