Country:
City:
Drive to the end of Chemin de Virounous (this is a tarmac dead end) in the village of Peille. Turn round and park on the hard shoulder about a hundred metres further on, so as not to block this small turning area.
(S/E) Return to the cul-de-sac where you turned round with your car, and take the path that starts on the right. Marker 593 is missing; an old yellow marker is in place. Cross the Ruisseau de Gazouil and continue to the tarmac road at Ongrand.
(1) Cross the road. Take a quick first turn right then left, pass marker 124 and head towards Ségra. Climb along this path, which winds its way uphill and reaches a pass (elevation 831) marked by a wooden post that once supported a sign which has now disappeared.
(2) Head left and climb up to the nearby ridge to see the beautiful ruins of the Castel d’Ongrand, dating from the 12th century. This fortified settlement is known as “Ongrand supérieur”. From the castle, continue along the same ridge line, heading west, to discover the ruins of the chapel, some 200 metres away. The ascending path is barely visible: keep to the left of the ridge, following the numerous cairns that guide the way. As you approach the ruins, the vegetation is somewhat dense, but easily passable.
(3) The ruins of the Ongrand chapel are situated on the upper part of the ridge, where it widens into a plateau. It fell into ruin at the end of the 15th century. The apse – the rounded stone section of the chapel – is well preserved. Then retrace your steps.
(2) From the pass, continue along the wooded path heading north then north-east. Keep heading in this direction.
(4) At the crossroads (marker 123), turn right towards Ségra and head for the nearby junction. At this junction, turn left onto the track heading north (marker 122 is missing). Continue along this track, passing marker 121, and carry on along this track, which becomes a path through the forest and climbs gradually towards the Col du Farguet, skirting around Mont Méras. Walk past the water tower on the right and continue to marker 116, which is signposted “Col du Farguet 1083 m”.
(5) Turn left towards the valley, crossing the two tracks at right angles. The start of the valley is a field with no marked path, beginning at marker 116 (same number). Head towards “Chapelle Saint-Siméon”. Walk down the field for about thirty metres: the grassy path begins on your left, then becomes rocky.
(6) End of the rocky path: turn right onto this concrete track leading downhill.
(7) At the junction of the track and the Route de l’Escarène, cross over and head straight on along the concrete road which descends steeply. Follow the concrete road (marker 138 is missing). Walk for about 200 m: the Chapel of Saint-Siméon is on the left. You’ll reach the edge of a grassy field with stone slabs.
(8) Head straight ahead along a barely visible path towards the nearby chapel.
(9) This restored chapel stands on a rocky, barren plateau. Bordered by a precipice to the south, the Chapel of Saint-Siméon d’Ongrand, dating from 1229, was built by the monks of Saint-Pons. It stands at an altitude of 635 m. Then retrace your steps.
(8) Turn left onto the concrete track leading downhill.
(10) When the track turns right towards the houses, leave it and head straight on along a path that is barely marked at first. After a few metres, it becomes a very beautiful paved slanting street, parts of which are in good condition. Head down towards the Pas d’Ongrand valley.
(11) Pas d’Ongrand marks the end of our trail. In this hamlet, continue along the path to the right towards the nearby bridge over the Erbossièra stream and follow the tarmac road uphill. This is the least interesting part of our route. Follow this road, which leads back to the Chemin de Virounours.
(12) At this junction of tarmac roads, turn left to rejoin the Chemin de Virounours (signpost 594 is missing). Continue to your car (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
