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Access: To reach the starting point, follow the D378 from Gerbier de Jonc towards Les Estables, 3.7 km from the starting point of the Gerbier climb.
Park in the car park on the right, at the Montouse hiking signpost (on the other side of the road).
(S/E) A large wooden sign indicates "Gîte d'étape de Villevieille 2 km". Follow this path, which is not marked and has numerous ruts filled with water after rain. The starting point is also the source of the Ruisseau de l'Aïgue Nègre, the first tributary of the Loire.
(1) At 1,400 metres from the start, the path crosses a stream (culvert) and turns right, then left after 50 metres. If you look carefully, you will see the first red and whiteGR®7signpost. Continue along the forest path, ignoring the few paths that branch off.
(2) At the unnamed mast (elevation 1474 on the IGN map), head towards Le Béage, Chazalès (6.8 km)GR®3,GRP®, completely on your left, at the edge of the forest and meadow. On the right, you will see the Suc de la Lauzière and, in the distance in front of you, the Suc de Séponet. The marked path leaves the edge of the woods. Be careful after 1.2 km, as you will need to take a small path cluttered with broom, which is difficult to see in summer when the vegetation has grown.
(3) Leave the path that passes south-west of Séponet and follow the trail that goes around it to the east on the left.
(4) This path is marked by a green arrow on a stone on the right-hand side of the path. It is the only one and clearly visible, taking you down into the woods. Follow the most obvious path. There are no markings, and the descent is quite steep in places and very slippery when wet, both on the stones and on the roots.
(5) When you come out of the forest, about ten metres further on, take the path (or in the grass in summer) that climbs up to the right along a stream. A stone with a square of green paint confirms that you are on the right track. Follow this pleasant path (which can be found in summer) that runs alongside the stream through the undergrowth of blueberry bushes. Go around the knoll, which is not very visible among the trees at this point. There are no markings until you reach theGR® trail, which you follow to the left until you see a sign for Montagne Ardéchoise.
(6) Head towards Pré du Bois, opposite in the clearing, where the grassy path heads north-west. At the entrance to the woods (30 m), look for a white and yellow signpost on a tree on your left. At this point, take the path on the left which climbs to the top of the Suc de Montfol (1,601 m). Admire the landscape and try to recognise the many knolls around you. To the south, you can see the wind farm in the village of Cros de Géorand.
(7) Return to the mast.
(6) Follow the unmarked path (north-east) on the left, at the entrance there is a rectangular wooden stake with a bevelled top. Follow this path which will take you to the summit of the Suc de la Lauzière.
(8) There is a cairn of slate slabs at the summit and various holes where slate was once quarried. Follow the well-marked path down the other side.
(9) When you reach the yellow-red marked path (GRP®), perpendicular to the Lauzière path, turn right.
After 250 m, at the bottom of the descent when the woods thin out, a path on the left leads to the summit of the Knoll of Taupernas (1609 m). Detour of one kilometre there and back. Beautiful 360° view both at the foot of the knoll and in the distance.
(10) Return to the marked path and continue downhill to the left for 100 m.
(11) At the new hiking signpost, whose name has been erased, turn right towards Sainte-Eulalie, following the yellow-red markings. After 250 m, when you reach a fence, do not cross it but descend to the left along the path at the edge of the meadow. The path passes through peatlands (be careful, marshy areas) that are difficult to avoid, the source of the Veyradeyre, where you may sink a little and end up with your shoes full of water!
(12) At the hiking pole (name erased again), head towards Croix des Boutières on the left, following the white and red markings (GR®). After about 400 m, turn right onto a variant ofthe GR®7(GR®73). Look for the green ONF45 mark on a tree, white and red markings and a mountain bike sign 5 m from the crossroads.
Climb up and then descend towards the departmental road 378 and the starting point (S/E).
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Association / Club / Walk leader
Visorando member
Easy 
