Valette loop via Fontagneux

When you arrive in La Valette, after Nantes-en-Ratier, there is a first car park on the right. You can also park in the few spaces next to the town hall (at the start of the hike) or a few metres further on in the church car park.

(S/E) Cross the village to reach the town hall of La Valette, where the trail begins.

(1) Start by climbing the hill on a fairly wide path. After the first bend, follow the signs for Piquet de Nantes, Fontagneux and Lavaldens, then just Fontagneux and Lavaldens.

(2) Continue climbing the path, keeping to the left. Cross a first stream and continue following the path until you reach a road at the foot of a small chapel.

(3) Pass the entrance to the chapel to reach the road, then follow the road to the right. Pass a fountain and take the narrower path climbing up to the left.

(4) Stay on the path on the right: beautiful view of the Obiou and the Grand Armet opposite. The markings are much less frequent but the path remains well marked and easy to follow.

(5) 50 m further on, the path to take is on the right, downhill. Be careful on this downhill section, as it can be tricky for those with knee problems... It's easier if you sit on your bottom. You will soon reach a more visible and easier path.

(6) The descent is also along a fairly rocky path. Quickly find a path to follow until you reach a stream called Ruisseau du Banc (where it may be nice to stop). Once you have passed the stream, start a new climb shared between a grassy path and scree until you reach Ruisseau de la Roche. Cross this stream and continue along the path to the next stream, called Ruisseau des Rines.

(7) When you reach this stream, which is a nice place to stop for a break, leave the path descending to the right and take the path on the left that climbs uphill. Cross a stream and the path resumes after climbing the rock opposite. This is not rock climbing, just two good strides.

(8) Take the clearly visible path, which then descends to Fontagneux. The trail passes through a forest with magnificent beech trees, which are no longer young. Follow the beech tree path, then cross a stream and turn right to descend to Fontagneux. Cross the village. There is only one path.

(9) Cross the road to take the path opposite and cross the bridge over the Roizonne.

(10) Turn right towards the hamlet of Moulin de Fontagneux. Cross the hamlet and follow the path that generally follows the Roizonne at the foot of the Grand Armet. Continue straight ahead towards Le Rif until you reach the hamlet of Le Mollard.

(11) Cross this hamlet. Notice a house with a heart on the wall on your right. Continue straight ahead. The path then diverges to the left to follow the Ruisseau du Rif Bruyant.

(12) At the intersection, take the small bridge on the right to cross over the Rif Bruyant. Then descend on a quiet path until you reach a road.

(13) Follow the road straight ahead, called Chemin de la Rochette. Cross the hamlet of La Rochette and continue along this road until you reach the entrance to the hamlet of Les Everras.

(14) Do not enter the village, but take the next right turn. Then follow the Soularet road to Basse Valette. There are few cars, but there are still some, so please drive carefully.

(15) When you reach Basse Valette, take the small street on the right and the path uphill to rejoin the departmental road. Take the departmental road on the left, then the path uphill a few metres to the right.

(16) Continue straight ahead, keeping to the right, until you reach the town hall of La Valette.

(1) Take the road to the church in the opposite direction to find the car park (S/E).

There are fountains in La Valette, Fontagneux and Le Mollard, all of which are in working order, as well as streams, so you can fill up with water at various points along the way if you have filter bottles or purifiers. I haven't tried it without these.
Until Fontagneux, the route is not particularly shaded, except when you cross the streams and when you reach 300 m from Fontagneux. The return route is mostly shaded.

The various hamlets of Fontagneux, Moulin de Fontagneux and Le Mollard offer views of old buildings and farms.

The various streams are havens of coolness and you can fill up with water along the entire route.

There are a few sections that may prove difficult between points (5) and (6), depending on individual abilities.