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Caution: do not undertake this hike in foggy weather, as it requires a good sense of direction. The very old markings are not always visible, especially when crossing the plateau and through the pastures.
Not all the paths are shown on the IGN map, making it very difficult to trace the exact route taken.
(S/E) Start from Place du Plot (hiking information sign) in the centre of the village of Saint-Pons. Cross the D293, Route de Saint-Pons, and take Rue du Moulin towards Sceautres. At the end of this street, continue along a wide downhill path.
(1) At the next crossroads, continue to the right until you reach the small Chaulène municipal road. Follow it to the left, crossing the Vernet stream.
(2) A few metres further on, at Mât de la Fabrique, turn left at a right angle towards Sceautres and take a small road. This road crosses two streams. Further up, it is followed by a track. At the next junction, continue straight ahead towards the north. A little further up, the track forms an S-bend, then continues northwards.
(3) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead until you reach a small tarmac road.
(4) Take the right-hand lane and continue on this road, heading north-west.
(5) Ignore the access road to Combe des Allignols on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach the next crossroads.
(6) Turn left towards Le Vernet. Drive through this hamlet. Continue along the small road, then along the track that follows it, towards Orgues de Bauzon (signposted). The track runs alongside the Chaix stream and the magnificent basalt columns. Shortly after a pretty waterfall, cross the stream via the bridge and climb up the opposite bank to reach a small road.
(7) Turn right, follow it to the next junction, then turn left at the hairpin bend towards Les Pradeaux. Continue along this small road to the next crossroads (Brasse Nègre mast).
(8) Take the small road on the right towards Faugère.
(9) At the next junction marked by the Faugère signpost, turn left towards the south-west, Saint-Pons. First, follow a wide path across the pastures. Look out for the few markings on the stones or possibly on the trees; a few ribbons make it easier to find your way.
Pay close attention: this path then turns sharply to the right (markings are present but not very visible on the trees), descends slightly, crosses a cow pasture (feeders are clearly visible), continues straight ahead, slightly to the left, and runs along the edge of the plateau, offering magnificent views of the Montbrun cliffs and the Ardèche mountains. The path then turns slightly to the left and overlooks rocky outcrops. Follow the few markings and ribbons that lead to the descent on the right, through a rocky outcrop towards Roche Chérie. The path is not shown on IGN maps but is clearly visible on OSM and OSM Trails.
(10) Begin the sometimes steep descent between the box trees. You will reach an area of grassland (the markers are on the rocks). At this point, the path forms a small, inconspicuous fork. Follow the right fork towards the west. Continue along this easy path to Roche Chérie. Cross the hamlet and continue to the next three-way junction (no markings).
(11) Follow the road straight down opposite (Roche Chérie municipal road). Walk along the hamlet of Baribes and continue to the next signpost for La Peyre Bas (markings are present again and are recent).
(12) At this signpost, climb left across the fields, then between fences heading south-east. Reach the signpost for La Peyre Haut (*).
(13) Continue straight ahead until you reach the tarmac road leading to Saint-Pons. At Le Mas, turn right and then immediately left.
At the crossroads, turn right. At the fork in front of the school, follow Rue de Blavias to the left. Then take the first street on the left, Rue de la Prison, and continue straight ahead on Rue Vacheresse. Then turn right onto Rue du Barry and take the first left, Rue du Moulin, to return to Place du Plot (S/E).
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