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Please note: this hike should only be undertaken in dry weather and requires you to be comfortable on rocks and stones. There are some tricky sections with ladders and cables. There are no river crossings on this route.
From Labastide-de-Virac, head to the hamlet of Les Crottes. The car park is at the entrance to the hamlet, on the right.
(S/E) From the car park, follow the road on the right, going up into the hamlet. Follow the hamlet, go past it and continue on a track heading north.
Leave two houses (cabanons) on your right and continue to the end of the track.
(1) Take an unmarked path on the right, descending into the Combe des Champs, heading north-northeast, until you reach the river. Ignore the various small paths branching off to the right or left and stay on this path.
(2) Further down, at a small fork, keep to the left at the bottom of the valley and continue to the junction at the edge of the Ardèche river.
(3) Turn right. Follow the path, which is well marked in yellow and white and quite steep in places (ladder, cables), more or less along the riverbank. As you walk, admire the Gaud meander, the Cirque de Gaud cliffs and the Rocher d'Autridge. You will reach the Guitard ford mast. Continue in the same direction for about 350 m until you reach another fork.
(4) Turn right at a 90° angle onto the path climbing towards the campsite and Mas de Serret for about 300 m.
(5) Leave the path leading to the Baume d'Oullins (marked with a yellow cross) on your left and continue on the path on the right. This passes over the rocky outcrops.
(6) Just after this, you will come to a small trail on the left. Take the opportunity to walk to a beautiful viewpoint and back. On your return, continue left until you reach Mas de Serret.
(7) Join and follow the road that runs alongside the farmhouse, then the Serret campsite. Ignore the track that branches off to the right and the paths on the left.
About 100m after the junction with the track, turn right and walk downhill for a few metres, stopping to enjoy one last superb view. Return and continue along the road for about 250m.
(8) At a left-hand bend, take the path on the right. Follow it, ignoring the various small paths that cross it on the right and left, until you enter the hamlet of Les Crottes.
(9) At the entrance to the hamlet, turn left and walk back to the war memorial, which pays tribute to members of the Resistance. Return to the trail, continue to the left, cross the hamlet, pass under a porch, rejoin the road, then turn right into the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Moderate 
Extremely difficult 
