Viewpoint over the Pont de Veyrières dam

Start from the old market square in Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier (car park), where you’ll find the hiking information point.

(S/E) Head south towards Juvinas. At the first junction, turn right (Courtiol Bas), continuing southwards, and pass between the houses to reach the Courtiol Béalière bridge over the Libonès stream (see the ‘Points of interest’ section).

(1) Cross the bridge, follow the left bank of the stream as it runs above you for about twenty metres, then turn left to cross the Béalière over two large flat stones and walk along the meadows between the upper low wall on the left and the lower low wall on the right. Turn left onto a paved slanting street that climbs up to Les Terrons.

(2) Once you reach the tarmac road, turn right onto a path, also terraced, between an upper low wall and one below it. Pass a small barn and continue more or less straight on through the chestnut grove. When you reach the Chemin de Gardelle (tarmac), carry on straight ahead to climb up to the Route du Ranc.

(3) Follow the Route du Ranc until you can see the first hairpin bend, which you cut across by turning left onto an uphill path. Cross the back of the hairpin bend and continue straight ahead along the path until you rejoin the Route du Ranc. Follow this road to the end of the hamlet.

(4) Then take the path on the right, which descends slightly before continuing on roughly level ground. After five to six hundred metres, following an uphill section, you’ll reach a rocky viewpoint, the highest point on the path. There’s a sweeping view of the valley and the dam below, as well as the mountain ranges above Jaujac.

(5) Return via the same route and head back to the car park (S/E).

In wet weather or after heavy rain, the paved slanting street at Les Terrons can turn into a stream, so it is best to take the Route de Juvinas and then follow the signposted turn-off towards Les Terrons.

An alternative route is to take the road, which is relatively quiet, as far as Le Ranc.

On the return journey, you can follow the ‘Chemin de Compostelle’ signposts (the Aubenas–Le Puy route, organised by Mrs Martine Morand).

(S/E) The old market square was a bustling place for many years, particularly during the cherry season, when farmers would bring their produce to the traders. Until the mid-1980s, one could also witness the passage of the still there.

(1) The Courtiol water channel bridge is a curiosity. It remained in use until very recently. A little further on, two large stones allow you to cross the water channel. I accompanied some donkeys which, although they crossed the bridge, never wanted to cross the flowing water of the channel.

(3) After Gardelle, at the hairpin bend, there is a view of the terraces of Auluyères. All along the route, there are views of the Ardèche countryside, which is gradually being overtaken by the forest, apart from a few attempts to restore the chestnut grove.

(4) The curious rocky viewpoint almost evokes a prehistoric sacred site, but that is purely my own speculation…

Continuing along the path, you can join the circular loop that leads to Sainte-Marguerite.