The countryside around St Marcel and St-Just-d'Ardèche

From the washhouse, head up to the left of the church and take ‘Rue de Versailles’ on the left. Follow it to the end. When you reach ‘Route de Saint-Martin’, turn left.

1. Take the first street on the right: ‘Chemin de la Croix Vieille’. When you reach a five-way junction, carry on straight ahead uphill.
2. When you reach an X-junction, head left and turn left at the first fork. Turn right after 400 m and stay on this small road for approximately 2 km.
3. When you reach a main road, you can take a detour to the left and then take the second street on the right to visit the village of Saint-Marcel-d’Ardèche. Otherwise, turn right (children can cycle on the pavement). Cycle for 40 m, then turn right and follow this road to the X-junction. Take the ‘Chemin du Fez’ to the left and follow it almost straight on until you reach the ‘Route de Saint-Martin’. Turn left onto it. Just before the RD86, at the house with the decorated façade, turn right onto ‘Grand Rue’. At the end of this street, turn right (be careful – going straight on leads to a flight of steps). Head down to the wash house.
4. To start the second loop, head down ‘rue des Lavoirs’ then turn left. Go through the small tunnel and continue straight on at the first junction. Follow the cycle route markings for loop 8. The rest of the route will mainly take you through farmland.
5. To start the second loop, head down ‘Rue des Lavoirs’ and then turn left. Go through the small tunnel and continue straight on at the first junction. Follow the cycle route markings for loop 8. The rest of the route will mainly take you through farmland.
6. At the next junction, head up to the left along the Chemin du Crouzat. To shorten the circuit by 3 km, continue down slightly to the left; go under the railway line and follow it for a short while to rejoin the cycle route markings at point 9).
7. At the crossroads between the low walls, turn right. When you reach a fork in the road, head up to the left; the street then turns right between the houses. At the T-junction, turn right.
8. Just after crossing the railway line, head down to the right. The road continues to the left. Pass between some old farmhouses and carry on along the small road that descends to the right. Follow it for 2.5 km. It winds its way through fields and orchards.
9. When you reach the foot of the railway line, turn left and follow it for a short while.
10. At the first junction, turn left between the fields to reach a shaded stretch under the trees. The path winds its way not far from the tranquil Ardèche before joining the Rhône.
11. When you reach a cross, turn left onto the ‘Chemin des 2 Chênes’ for approximately 1.5 km.
12. At the first junction, turn left to reach the Lône de Malatras: a branch of the Rhône. Enjoy the view. You might be lucky enough to spot a pair of black kites. After climbing the only slightly steep hill on the route, and once you’ve passed a few houses, carry on straight ahead through the vineyards at the fork.
13. At the next junction, turn right.
    When you reach a T-junction, turn left, cross a pretty stone bridge and continue to the left. Keep following this road to return to St-Just.
14. Cross the RD with care and continue straight on to reach the starting point.