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Before setting off, read the practical information section.
Serrières is a village located at the northernmost tip of the Ardèche department on the D86 and on the banks of the Rhône.
When arriving via the bridge over the Rhône, park in the car park on the right-hand side of the bridge or, using the ramp at the end of the car park, below on the Quai du Rhône. The hike starts from one of these locations.
(S/E) Standing in the car park upstream of the bridge, with the Rhône behind you, leave the car park via the car exit in the middle. Cross the D86 and take Rue Tournus, almost opposite. Pass under the railway line and, at the first crossroads, take the street on the right, passing at the foot of the Tour des Pénitents. Continue along this street for about 50 metres, then turn left. A few metres further on, the street ends and becomes a dirt track. Continue uphill for about 60 metres until you reach a crossroads marked with a hiking signpost ("Le Château").
(1) Turn left and continue straight ahead. Ignore a path on the right and continue until you reach a small bridge over a stream (Ruisseau de Vergelet). Continue along the path after crossing the bridge. You will come to a fork in the path: keep to the right.
You will come to a road; continue straight ahead, ignoring the roads to the right and left.
After turning right, a few metres further on, take the dirt track on the right. Continue uphill on this track. When you reach a fork in the road, continue straight ahead. Continue until you reach a wide track.
(2) On this wide path (Route de l'Olme), continue straight ahead, ignoring a path on the left.
When you reach a crossroads, continue straight ahead (Route de la Remise). At the next intersections, continue straight ahead towards a large car park.
Cross the car park, heading towards the large roundabout and veering to the left.
(3) Cross the main road leading to the roundabout (D820). Please note that there is heavy traffic and cars drive fast. It is recommended that you use the pedestrian crossing.
Ignore the roads on the right and left and take the one in the middle opposite (Route de Larin le Haut).
Continue straight ahead on this tarmac road, ignoring a road on the right and then three roads on the left. You will eventually come to a crossroads.
(4) Turn right (Chemin Rural du Clos) and continue down this road. Ignore all turn-offs to the right and left. You will come to a fork in the road, at the foot of a hiking signpost (Les Rateaux).
(5) Turn right. A little further on, in a bend, ignore a turn-off on the right and continue on the left. After about 60 metres, you will reach a tarmac road. Continue on the left along this road until you reach a crossroads.
(6) Turn right onto Route des Grandes Bruyères. At the next intersection, go straight ahead. Continue down this path to reach the bottom of the valley.
(7) Cross the stream via a small bridge and continue uphill on the other side. Stay on the main path, ignoring a path branching off to the left. At the end of the climb, you will reach a fork in the path where there is a blue fire hydrant.
(8) Turn left to pass between the houses of the hamlet of Fromentale. After the last houses, at a fork in the road, take the left-hand path downhill. During the descent, follow the winding path. At the second hairpin bend, keep left, ignoring a turn-off on the right.
Continue straight ahead until you reach a stream, ignoring a turn-off on the left. Ford the stream.
(9) Continue uphill on the other side until you reach the hamlet of Verlieux. The path leads to a road in the hamlet. When you reach an intersection, turn right onto Rue du Puit d'Enfer. Ignore a turn-off on the right, then keep to the right to reach another intersection where you will see a chapel and a hiking signpost on the right.
(10) Pass the turn-off on the right and the chapel and continue straight ahead. A few metres further on, you will reach an intersection. Turn left, then right about 30 metres further on. Continue north and leave the hamlet of Verlieux. Further on, pass a path on the right and you will reach a fork.
(11) Turn right downhill and, after a left-hand bend, wade across another stream.
(12) Continue downhill. Ignore two paths on the right, then take the third path on the right (Chemin de la Barge). Pass a path on the right and continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads. Continue straight ahead, pass under the railway bridge, and continue straight ahead on Rue des Barges, which leads to the D86.
(13) Cross and turn right onto the pavement. A few metres further on, take the street on the left (Rue du Rhône). When you reach the banks of the Rhône, turn left and follow the Rhône on the cycle path, keeping the Serrière bridge in sight opposite you in the distance.
Pass between the single-storey buildings where you will find a bike hire shop and restaurants. Head as close as possible to the Rhône, going down the steps of the jousting basin to pass under the Serrières bridge and reach the car park (S/E).
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