We dreamed of undertaking a GR, but taking 3 months off to do Santiago de Compostela or Stevenson, it was not possible 🤷 ♂️.
When we heard about the GR 3, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in France, only 1h15 from Lyon and super accessible because some stages are done on foot or by train, we decided to try the adventure!
A stage Aurec-sur-Loire – Bas-en-Basset (21 km) to familiarize yourself with the roaming hiking adventure
We start our journey in Aurec-sur-Loire. At the station, the GR 3 path opens its arms to us and we follow its red and white markings as soon as we get off the train.
We head towards the pedestrian footbridge which crosses the Loire at Aurec-sur-Loire, then we cross the leisure center following the bank. After the small footbridge over the Rivoire stream, we continue to the left still along the river.
At the campsite, we continue south by the left path (barrier). It runs along the Loire and leads to the Saut du Chien.
We take the metal footbridge which allows us to cross the rocky bar, then we continue by the path which reaches the bank and then widens. After the right turn, it climbs steeply. We carefully cross the D 46 and continue the ascent in the undergrowth.
At the fork we go up to the left. The path leaves the forest, passes a house and arrives on a hilltop before continuing on the side. We continue by the road on the left, it leads to the center of Mayol.
At the chapel, we go down the street on the left and, at the exit of the hamlet, the path on the right heads towards the valley. After the abandoned quarry, we cross the D 46 again before following it to the right for 280 m.
Before the turn and the abandoned road, go down the grassy path to the left. It veers to the right and runs along the bank of the Loire. We pass the mill of Vertamise.
After Vertamise, the path reaches a fork. We climb to the right and cross the D 46 again.
After the Pompet stream, take the path that climbs to the right. It climbs in the undergrowth, passes a high point and continues on the edge.
We come out at the crossroads of the D 46 and take the small road to the right for 50 m, then the first path to the left. We cross the ford on the Mardaret stream and go up and cut the road to take the path that weaves through the trees. It expands and rises
Along our way, we see the remains of the castle of Rochebaron which sits proudly on its rocky outcrop.
We reach the hamlet of Lamure before crossing an area of ​​old gravel pits, a proven refuge for birds that has become the biodiversity park.
The path winds its way between the banks of the Loire and the ponds, it crosses an arm of water between two basins then turns right and runs along the municipal campsite of La Garenne.
We continue the journey for 3 km to Bas-Monistrol station and return by train.
This stage with diversified landscapes seduced me. Between the banks of the Loire, the ponds of Bas-en-Basset and certain passages where we took a little height, I really enjoyed this journey and it made me want to see a little more about the GR 3!'
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