Bessey and its mysteries

de fr

An easy route to discover some of the attractions of the commune of Bessey in the Pilat Regional Nature Park.

Details

n°612399
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 143 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 134 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 376 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 262 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Peach trees
Plum trees
Passage
View

Description of the walk

Departure: hamlet of Gencenas.

(S/E) Leave the hamlet via the D79 towards Pélussin (north side). Take the path on the left (Montée des Dores) and continue straight on until you reach the road at the bridge. This path is not shown on the IGN map but it does exist. Turn left onto the road and follow it northwards for about 250 metres.

(1) Turn right onto the Claude Berthier path. Join the small road at the Croix des Quatre Chemins, turn right and continue along this road.

(2) Descend to the right and cross the hamlet of La Ribaudy. Continue on theGR®65, which descends in a Z shape into the Combe du Mornieux (it does not go straight as indicated on the IGN map) and climbs up the opposite hillside.

(3) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead along the road to a place called Le Plantier.

(4) Take the path that starts on the right of the road, then immediately take the path on the right. Cross Martel and continue via the Chapelle Saint-Claude. Continue along the Sentier de la Flore.

(5) At the Sourdio (or Saut) de l'Agneau crossroads, turn left onto the Sentier de la Flore until you reach a small road.

(6) Turn right onto the road and at the cross, continue straight ahead along the path opposite, which joins another road.

(7) Turn right onto the road and continue to the next intersection.

(8) Turn left onto the road and continue straight ahead to return to the starting point in Gencenas (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 333 m - Hamlet of Gencenas
  2. 1 : km 1.13 - alt. 348 m - Claude Berthier trail junction
  3. 2 : km 2.61 - alt. 316 m - Hamlet of La Ribaudy
  4. 3 : km 4.43 - alt. 295 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 5.41 - alt. 308 m - Junction with a descending path
  6. 5 : km 6.32 - alt. 345 m - Carrefour du Sourdio de l'Agneau
  7. 6 : km 7.05 - alt. 352 m - Road on the right
  8. 7 : km 7.73 - alt. 376 m - Montalivet road junction
  9. 8 : km 8.22 - alt. 362 m - Road on the left
  10. S/E : km 8.82 - alt. 333 m - Gencenas

Notes

(4) Continue for another 200 metres along the road to reach the Madone de Malleval, a small garden with benches, ideal for a picnic. Lovely view.

Worth a visit

Gencenas hamlet: on the façade of the house on the left at the start, there is a curious, archaic and naive bas-relief of a crucifixion.
(2) La Ribaudy: picturesque hamlet.
Point 306 in Brive: to the right of the path, at the perpendicular fork, a stone with an unidentified engraving, possibly Roman?
Chapelle Saint-Claude (between (4) and (5)): pretty rural chapel.
(5) At Sourdio de l'Agneau, lovely view of the surrounding countryside and the peaks of Pilat.
At Les Alouettes (between (7) and (8)), off the road to the left of the rock benches, there are hollows, traces of millstones that have been removed. One millstone has been carved but has not been detached.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Kélig07
Kélig07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, with no difficulties whatsoever.
Beautiful views of the nearby Rhône Valley.

Machine-translated

JPREEB
JPREEB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk along roads and paths through vineyards and orchards

Machine-translated

ALLRANDOF
ALLRANDOF

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, easy hike with beautiful views of the Pilat massif and its peaks. At Madone de Malleval, there is a beautiful view of Malleval. A varied route through orchards and vineyards.
Thank you for this hike.

Machine-translated

Claira
Claira

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, very straightforward route! Perhaps a little too much tarmac. But some beautiful views from high up, not very busy.

Machine-translated

Patberpilat
Patberpilat

Thank you for your comments. Yes, it's a beautiful route, which I've always enjoyed walking in all seasons (but especially in spring when the orchards are in bloom), and it was only natural to share it on Visorando.
In response to the two previous comments, it's true that the GR 65 allows you to reach Saut de l'Agneau directly without taking the road, but the last time I was there, the path was very overgrown. A farmer working on an adjacent field wondered if I was lost, and was very surprised when I told him it was the Grande Randonnée trail from Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay. For this reason, I preferred to take the route via Martel, but perhaps the path is more passable today?

Machine-translated

liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

From the start to the finish, enjoy panoramic views of the peaks, including the Pilat massif, a glimpse of the river, then a walk through orchards bursting with buds and blossoms in shades of pink and white, beautifully maintained vineyards, low walls, wells, winegrowers' shelters and beautiful stone houses.
Thank you to the author for this beautiful route.

Machine-translated

dougere
dougere

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk.
I agree with jepete07: next time, I'll turn right onto the marked trail before Martel to reach the chapel, avoiding a section of tarmac on a fairly busy minor road.
The peach orchard was in bloom, but we'll have to come back to see the other varieties.
A donkey and some goats welcomed us, and a magnificent turkey put on a splendid display with a majestic wheel.

Machine-translated

jepete07
jepete07

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

actually, I got lost because the distances aren't specified and a path had been ploughed. i ended up walking quite a bit on tarmac, which isn't great. To take the GR 65 at La Ribaudy, you have to walk several hundred metres, which isn't indicated on the document. It's a shame to have to go via Martel to get to the Saut de l'Agneau because you can take it before that and avoid the tarmac. Otherwise, it was a good afternoon nonetheless.

Machine-translated

JELOUMI
JELOUMI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Enjoyable weekday stroll without any crowds. Varied and relaxing scenery.

Machine-translated

Yannick_Josset
Yannick_Josset

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk. Varied landscapes. Very peaceful. Not many people.
We missed out a bit because we wanted to see the fruit trees in bloom. It was much too early...
On the other hand, we enjoyed panoramic views of the peaks, from Mont Blanc to Grand Veymont. Splendid!
Thanks to the author.

Machine-translated

Libanane
Libanane

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Machine-translated

didel07
didel07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Easy route, the only difficulty being the descent to the Collonge stream after the hamlet of La Ribaudy (stony path)
Also take care when leaving Martel to find the Chemin du Saut de l'Agneau on the right.

Machine-translated

bernard jacquand
bernard jacquand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Perfect hike for a half-day family outing. No difficulty.
The route winds through vineyards and apple orchards, mostly on open terrain (plateau) with 360-degree views, including a beautiful crossing of a valley with a stream running at the bottom.

Machine-translated

Isarobapt
Isarobapt

Hike not completed.

Machine-translated

raphael07
raphael07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

except for the section between the crossroads and the hamlet of La Ribaudy, this is an excellent hike
numerous viewpoints
varied vegetation
it even looks as if Tom Thumb has been here, leaving a few little messages on stones along the route from the Madonne de Malleval
. I recommend it

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Circular between La Ribaudy and Pélussin

Visorando member
Boucle entre La Ribaudy et Pélussin
↔11.38 km ↗+353 m ↘-352 m ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
The route of this hike will take you from the hamlet of La Ribaudy to the village of Pélussin. Sometimes along wooded paths, sometimes across fields, you will reach the valley of the Rivière du Régrillon. You will cross the Pélussin Viaduct, the former Tacot railway line.

Walking From the village of Malleval to the village of Roisey

Visorando member
Du village de Malleval jusqu'au village de Roisey
↔14.19 km ↗+325 m ↘-321 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Malleval (Loire)
This is an easy hike between the village of Roisey and Malleval. At the start of the hike, you can see the Saut de Lorette waterfall when there is water in winter and, on the way back, before arriving in Malleval, you will pass through the woods along the Ruisseau de l'Épervier stream, which will provide welcome refreshment if you are hiking in summer. (!) Please note: access is prohibited along the stream at (8) due to a municipal by-law. Reported on 31 July 2025.

Walking From Chavanay to Malleval

Visorando member
De Chavanay à Malleval
↔14.81 km ↗+418 m ↘-423 m ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Chavanay (Loire)
Walk through the orchards of Chavanay. Best done in April when the fruit trees are in bloom. As a bonus, you'll see the charming village of Malleval and the Epervier valley. Please note: read carefully at marker No. 8

Walking The medieval village of Malleval and the diversity of its surroundings

Visorando member
Le village médiéval de Malleval et la diversité de ses alentours
↔7.39 km ↗+294 m ↘-294 m ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Malleval (Loire)
Start by exploring a botanical cactus trail, then climb up to the cemetery and enjoy the view. Follow the cool Épervier stream upstream. Discover wooded paths followed by sunny trails with superb 360° views, then descend through the vineyards. Finish by discovering the Saut de Laurette. Return via the old village (church, salt storehouse, former commandery) and the trails.

Walking Historic Pélussin and the Scie valley

Visorando member
Le Pélussin historique et le vallon de la Scie
↔10.32 km ↗+369 m ↘-367 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
This easy walk allows you to stroll around the beautiful village of Pélussin before plunging into the wooded valley of the Scie stream.It partly follows the Priel trail (Pelussin 1, yellow/white markings).

Walking The Dentillon hut from Pelussin

Visorando member
La cabane du Dentillon depuis Pelussin
↔11.79 km ↗+615 m ↘-617 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
This walk starts from Pelussin (in the heart of Pilat) and involves a slight climb (just under 600 m) to keep you in shape, which rises continuously. You will arrive at the Dentillon hut, with its arboretum and orientation table. You can then continue on to the 3 dents, which will add another 45 minutes and 250m of elevation gain.

Walking Circulars through vineyards and orchards starting from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf

Visorando member
Boucles des vignes et vergers au départ de Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf
↔14.13 km ↗+288 m ↘-286 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf (Loire)
A gentle hike on the slopes of the Pilat massif. You will pass through orchards and vineyards with views of the Rhône and the foothills of the Vercors.

Walking The Chemin du Tacot to the east of Pélussin

Visorando member
Le chemin du Tacot à l'Est de Pélussin
↔14.72 km ↗+502 m ↘-503 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Pélussin (Loire)
At the start and end of the route, this circuit follows the Tacot, a local railway line that connected the two sides of the Pilat Massif, the Loire and the Rhône, until 1930. Magnificent views of the Pilat Massif, but above all of the Rhône Valley and the Alps, with Mont Blanc visible on the left when the sky is clear. Most of the circuit is in the forest.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.