North-east of Saint Romain-Lachalm

The village of Saint Romain-Lachalm on the D23 road between Dunières and Firminy in the Haute-Loire and Loire departments. Large car park at the entrance to the village coming from Dunières (benches, tables and motorhome area).

(S/E) Head towards the centre of the village. At the first crossroads, note a monument on the right, then a castle with its grounds, which you can visit. After the town hall on the right, turn right in the village centre onto Route de la Fontaine. The street curves to the left towards the cemetery, which you go around on the right.

(1) Before the end of the cemetery, at the crossroads, follow the road that branches off to the left towards La Faye. Continue along the road to the hamlet of La Faye. At the entrance to the hamlet, turn left onto Chemin de la Béate. Note the small renovated house on the left, which is the former home of Béate. At the next crossroads, cross Chemin de la Faye Leygras and continue straight ahead for 100 metres. Note the old wash house on the right.

(2) Continue straight ahead along Allée du Lavoir. Walk past the red fruit greenhouses on your left and the farm buildings. Ignore a path leading off to the right. When you reach the hamlet of Chazotte, turn left and start descending. After 50 metres, walk towards the house on your right to find the porch leading up to the barn. Continue left towards the main road and cross it.

(3) Watch out for traffic. Head straight ahead along the road downhill towards La Semène. Cross the bridge and continue straight ahead along the path running alongside the house on your right. Continue along the path, which leads directly to a road in the hamlet of La Bruyère.

(4) Set off along the road to the right.

(5) After 300 m, near some houses, leave the road and take the path on the right. Cross a forest, then reach a road and a residential area in the hamlet of Faridouay. Continue to the D23.

(6) Take care with the traffic. Cross and, 20 m further on, take the path on the right running alongside the river. Ignore all the paths branching off to the left and reach the road and the hamlet of Pont de Malzaure.

(7) Cross the bridge over the Semène. Walk 150 m uphill on the road, then leave it and take the path on the left. After a meadow area, you will reach a crossroads near a house on the right. Turn right and walk alongside the house. The path becomes a road and then arrives at a crossroads near the hamlet of Les Chaizes.

(8) Continue straight ahead to cross the hamlet, then descend towards the stream. Ignore four paths leading off to the left.

(9) 600 m from the stream, when the path curves to the right, turn right onto a path going up to the left. Cross an area of meadows. Pass close to some houses on the right and reach the edge of the Bois des Cartaires. Continue along the hairpin bend to the left. After 150 m, ignore a path branching off to the left and continue uphill to the right in almost a straight line. You will reach a flatter section and a wide forest track. At the next junction, note the oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the right.

(10) 20 m after the shrine, leave the forest track and take the path on the left, which is a little cluttered with dead wood. Follow this path for 250 m, then take a sharp left turn. Walk 200 m to reach another path. Take this path, which turns sharply to the right. Leave the woods, cross a meadow and arrive at a junction with a road near the hamlet of Peybert.

(11) Turn right onto the path on the right. Walk alongside the buildings on your left and right. After the last house on the right, follow the path on the right. Ignore two paths on the left and continue along the main path heading south-west. After a small copse, ignore the path on the right. After 100 m, ignore another path branching off almost opposite and follow the curve to the left. After 50 m, ignore a path branching off to the left and continue for about 150 m.

(12) Turn left towards the Boutte house. Walk past this house and after 250 m, follow the hairpin bend to the left towards the Colombier house.

(13) 100 m from the house, leave the road and take the path down to the right. This path reaches a stream that can be crossed via a footbridge, which is welcome in high water, and then reaches a road.

(14) Continue to the right. Walk past a house on the right at the edge of the forest. Pass close to the Pinet house on the right. At the crossroads near the Chomette houses, leave the path and take the hairpin bend to the left. You will reach a road and some houses. Continue until you pass a water reservoir and then an adjoining house.

(15) Turn right onto the road towards the hamlet of Montchouvet, then continue straight on until you reach the cemetery.

(1) Walk along the cemetery, then cross the village again with the church on your right and the town hall on your left. Pass close to the castle and return to the starting point at the entrance to the village (S/E).

Standard hiking equipment.
Water supply possible thanks to the proximity of houses along the route.
Numerous footbridges or bridges, which are appreciated during high water levels.

The traditional village of Saint-Romain-Lachalm with its beautiful stone buildings and pretty castle.
At La Faye: old house of Béate (small house on the left as you cross the hamlet, where all traces of religion disappeared when the house was renovated), old wash house 50 metres further on to the right in front of a house.
At La Chazotte: porch supporting an old entrance to a barn.
Crossings of the Semène at Moulin Blanc and Pont de Malzaure.
Le Bois des Cartaires with an oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The traditional buildings of old farms with a residential section and a livestock section with a fodder store.