Circular walk in Lemuy: the sources of the Roche and the Montorge stream

Throughout the route description, the abbreviation ‘RF’ is used to mean ‘Route Forestière’ (forest road).

To return to your car park, leave the D265 at the hamlet of Les Raffours on the outskirts of Lemuy. Head towards the forest along the RF des Cent Arpents. Continue to the three-way junction and its forest ranger’s house. Park here.

(S/E) Then head due north from the foot of the house along the RF des Grattes. Pass the junction with the RF de Tagençon and stay on your route, which will turn east and south-east to join a wide white track at elevation 673.

(1) On your right, you’ll see the hamlet of Montorge and its chapel. Head in the opposite direction, following the wide white track north-north-east. Ignore the track joining from the right and continue to a junction at elevation 705.

(2) Pass the letterboxes on your left and turn right to reach the meadows. Cross this vast meadow and, at the edge of the woodland, you’ll reach a crossroads at elevation 695.

(3) Turn right and walk uphill through the forest until you reach a crossroads at the edge of the meadows at elevation 745.

(4) Carry on straight ahead along the road, head down into the woods and reach the junction with the Loyauboz regional road.

(5) Walk about fifty metres to the left to reach the source of the Roche. Depending on the season, you may be able to admire the waterfall. Head back the way you came and, at the previous junction, carry on straight ahead along the tarmac road.
Further on, ignore the Vessoye local road (RF) which joins from your left. Carry on until you reach the picturesque site of the Montorge spring and its picnic table.You may be lucky enough to see the stream and, as you walk up along the banks, the waterfalls emerging from the rocky cirque.

(6) Set off again along the RF des Sources heading south-west and you’ll reach a junction at elevation 726 with the Chemin du Bagage.

(7) Turn right, staying on the RF, then ignore the road on your left. At the next junction, carry straight on, then ignore the road joining from the right. Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach a junction with the RF de la Fontaine du Tronc.

(8) Look out for the forest track heading off to the right into the woods below the road. Follow this lovely, moss-covered track, sheltered by the spruce trees, until you reach the junction by your car park (S/E).