In the sandstone hills and pine woods around Ailhon

The start point at the Mas du Rosier car park is on the road between Fons and Ailhon, about 500 m from the exit of Fons.

(S/E) Take the road towards Ailhon, then, after about twenty metres, leave it for a path climbing up to the left. Ignore a path coming in from the right and turn left at the three-way junction immediately after. You will reach a four-way junction (Chardes hiking signpost)

Unmarked

(1) Ignore the marked paths to the right and left and continue straight on along a track that leads into the pine woods. Cross a wider track and continue to a small, neatly planted pine copse.

(2) On leaving this small copse, just after a right-hand bend, take a small path to the left, then turn right again at a new junction a few metres further on. For this tricky section, the IGN map is not very accurate; consult OpenStreetMap instead.

(3) At the top of the climb, turn right slightly back onto a new path. After a left-hand bend and a wide right-hand bend, this path runs above a parallel dirt track.
After a junction of several paths, continue in the same direction, either along the dirt track or along a small path running parallel to it on the right. You will reach a path running alongside a large meadow.

White-yellow markings

(4) Turn onto the path on the right. Up to the next point, in addition to the markings, you can follow the large signs: Discovering Ailhon. Continue north-east, passing under a power line.

(5) At the Bonnes Églises signpost, turn left towards Ailhon. Continue to the Place de l’Église.
At the entrance to the square, turn left onto a path that descends into the valley.

(6) Following another sign: ‘À la découverte d’Ailhon’, take a path on the right through the Jardin des Gourgues. Wade across the Ruisseau d’Ailhon and head back up to the signposted path, near a large wooden sculpture. Turn right and continue to a tarmac road.

(7) At the La Planche signpost, follow the road to the right and turn right at the next junction, then right again onto a road that descends. At the end of the tarmac section, keep left to take a path through the pine trees.

(8) Cross a flat dirt track and continue down a steep path. Cross the Auzon via a footbridge, go round the Crouzet buildings on the right and head back along the access road.

(9) After the first right-hand bend, leave the road and take a path on the left. Join the Crouzet road again at the top of the climb.

Unmarked

(10) Turn right onto this road. Just before the ‘private road’ sign, leave the road and take a forest track on the left. Ignore a path leading down to the left and continue straight on along the ridge (path not marked on the IGN map). Pass by a house and join a wider path.

(11) Turn right immediately at the junction, ignore a path on the right and continue straight ahead to reach a level dirt track.
Turn left onto this track, which becomes tarmac, and ignore a road on the left.

White-yellow markings

(12) Continue right onto the Chemin du Roure, pass a road on the left, then take the path on the left that leads downhill.
Turn right onto the Route de Gaude and follow it to the Gaude Haut hiking signpost.

(13) Turn onto a path on the left heading uphill, go round a vineyard and then cross the Valcroze stream (usually dry).
At the top of the climb, follow a forest track to the left which will take you back to the Mas du Rosier car park (S/E).

At point (6), the detour via the Jardin des Gourgues involves a very steep descent and a tricky stream crossing. You can avoid this section by continuing straight along the path to reach point (7).
The Crouzet farm (9) is private property currently undergoing restoration. The route may be slightly altered in the future around this area.

When passing through Place d’Ailhon, be sure to visit the church.
In the Jardin des Gourgues, you can see an old irrigation system with its channels and gourgues (round basins) carved out of blocks of sandstone.
The fortified farm of Le Crouzet is a former outbuilding of the Abbey of Les Chambons, which was situated in the commune of Borne on the Ardèche plateau. It allowed the monks access to produce from the Lower Ardèche, such as olives and grapes...
Opposite, on the right bank of the Auzon, you can see the remains of a mill that used the stream’s water power.