Along the Béraude via La Roche Branlante

Yellow RB (Roche Branlante) markings from the first footbridge over the Vige.
Do not follow these before that point.
Some sections are not signposted. Many of the paths taken do not appear on maps.
Park at the junction of the D941 and the D44 towards Sargnat.

(S/E) Follow the D44 downhill for about a hundred metres and take the first path on the left. At the T-junction, almost at the hamlet of La Besse, continue to the right. The path widens and leads onto a road.

(1) Turn right, leaving the hamlet of Moulin Jeune on your right, and continue to a crossroads. Cross the road and continue straight on along the path opposite. Carry on to the next road; there is a stone cross on the right. Take this road to the right.

(2) Turn onto the first path on the left, well before the house visible further on. The path goes through a wood.

(3) At the T-junction, turn left, following the Vige river which flows below. The path goes downhill and then climbs slightly. It then passes under a power line, before going downhill again.

(4) At the junction, turn left. 200m further on, the path climbs slightly.

Yellow RB markings from this point onwards.

(5) Turn right at the next junction. A sign made by the children marks this path, which curves and leads to a footbridge. Cross it and continue straight on. The path is not very wide and resembles a stream in places. It climbs gently for nearly a kilometre, through the forest carpeted with wild garlic in spring.

(6) At the end of the slope, turn right; the deciduous trees give way to firs. The path descends through the forest. Keep going straight on.

(7) Cross the stream at the ford. Be careful: depending on the season and rainfall, this can be a bit of a challenge.
Carry on straight ahead along the path, which climbs slightly. 200m further on, turn left and continue along the gentle slope.

(8) Turn left. Continue along the grassy path until you reach the road.

(9) At the junction, immediately take the path on the right and continue straight on between two meadows. Ignore the paths on the right. The path enters the forest again, then turns right and descends more steeply towards the Vige.

(10) Another right-hand bend; continue down towards the confluence of the Vige and the Béraude. Take the footbridge towards the picnic area. Continue straight ahead on a path running alongside the Béraude. Several branches of the river transform the landscape. There is at least one ford to cross.

(11) Turn right onto the Allée du Prince, signposted by a wooden sign. This lane is just a narrow path. Continue as close as possible to the Béraude. There are a few rocky sections to cross, which are not particularly difficult.

(12) Cross another ford and continue straight ahead. The path moves away from the river and turns left. Climb gently up towards Les Bonnets Blancs. Turn right onto the small road and, at the first junction, keep right to reach the next crossroads.

(13) (Here you can shorten the walk by turning right towards Les Quoirs, which leads directly to point (17).)
Carry on straight ahead. This is the only slightly long stretch of road, but it is very quiet and ends in a cul-de-sac. The road turns into a path, but this has been filled in.

(14) Turn left at the edge of the meadow and the forest. Follow the meadow along a faint grassy path. Two posts with yellow markings indicate this path.

(15) At the bend, turn right and join a path that runs alongside the remains of a pond. The path then turns left and widens. At the faint T-junction, turn right and continue straight on.

(16) Further on, turn right at the second path on the right. This path descends through the forest, leads to a large farm and then becomes a road.

(17) At the crossroads, take the road to the left for 200m to reach the hamlet of Le Puy. In the hamlet, at the crossroads, turn right. At the last house, continue along the path that descends towards La Béraude. Follow the stream once more. A wooden sign points towards La Roche Branlante.

At the next junction, veer further to the right towards La Béraude for about fifteen metres. Do not stay on the main path which leads uphill. A very narrow path runs right alongside La Béraude. There are a few moss-covered rocks to climb over. La Roche Branlante will be on your left.

(18) Climb La Roche Branlante to make it sway, then continue along the Béraude to a wooden footbridge. Cross it and continue along the left bank until you can go no further. Turn right and head diagonally uphill along a fairly steep slope on a path that is more of a trail than a defined track. This path leads onto a small track. Take it to the left. Continue to the D44. Turn right onto the road and follow it for about 300m. Take the first path on the left, running perpendicular to the road.

(19) Take a sharp right-hand bend. On the left, you can see Védrenas Castle. The path climbs slightly then descends towards the D44. Take this road on the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Good waterproof walking shoes are essential
There are numerous fords to cross and, depending on the season and rainfall, the stones may be partially submerged.

Wild garlic and carpets of anemones in the Epagne forest in spring.