Valette loop via Fontagneux

A pleasant hike at the foot of the Piquet de Nantes and the Tabor, with beautiful views of the Obiou and the Grand Armet, passing through three lovely streams, then descending through the village of Fontagneux to change mountain ranges and walk at the foot of the Grand Armet, this time, and see the Tabor. The passage through old hamlets is also very pleasant for lovers of old stones.

Fiche technique

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  • trace_mode_pedestrian
    Activité: trace_mode_pedestrian
  • ↔
    label_distance: 7.35 mi
  • ◔
    Durée calculée: 5h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulte: Moyenne

  • ⚐
    Retour point de depart: Oui
  • ↗
    label_elevation_gain: + 2,021 ft
  • ↘
    label_elevation_loss: - 2,034 ft

  • ▲
    label_highest_point: 4,304 ft
  • ▼
    label_lowest_point: 2,927 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

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).

Points de passages

  1. D/A : mi 0 - alt. 3,241 ft - First car park on arrival at La Valette
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 3,255 ft - Path climbing opposite the town hall
  3. 2 : mi 0.5 - alt. 3,586 ft - Left-hand road
  4. 3 : mi 1.1 - alt. 4,186 ft - Entrance to the chapel
  5. 4 : mi 1.29 - alt. 4,304 ft - Path on the right
  6. 5 : mi 1.34 - alt. 4,226 ft - The descent is quite steep with small switchbacks on rocks
  7. 6 : mi 2.23 - alt. 3,642 ft - Rocky descent
  8. 7 : mi 2.93 - alt. 3,655 ft - Access to the trail via the climbing path
  9. 8 : mi 3 - alt. 3,668 ft - Entering the forest
  10. 9 : mi 3.35 - alt. 3,310 ft - There are two fountains at the exit of Fontagneux
  11. 10 : mi 3.41 - alt. 3,307 ft - Towards the hamlet of Moulin de Fontagneux - Roizonne (rivière)
  12. 11 : mi 4 - alt. 3,268 ft - The hamlet of Le Mollard
  13. 12 : mi 4.35 - alt. 3,392 ft - Bridge over the Rif Bruyant stream
  14. 13 : mi 5.08 - alt. 3,107 ft - Route
  15. 14 : mi 6.28 - alt. 3,209 ft - Turn left before Les Eyverras
  16. 15 : mi 6.9 - alt. 2,940 ft - Arrival at Basse Valette
  17. 16 : mi 7.03 - alt. 3,005 ft - Turn right at the fork
  18. D/A : mi 7.35 - alt. 3,245 ft - First car park on arrival at La Valette

Informations pratiques

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.

A proximite

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.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Fiabilité de la description
5 / 5
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire
5 / 5
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée
5 / 5
Jeanloic
Jeanloic

Note globale : 5 / 5

Date de la randonnée : Mar 08, 2026
Fiabilité de la description : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Facilité à suivre l'itinéraire : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Intérêt du circuit de randonnée : ★★★★★ Tres bien
Circuit très fréquenté : Non

A lovely, easy walk, apart from having to cross a few streams between points 6 and 7 due to forestry work on the Ruisseau du Banc and the high water levels at this time of year, particularly on the Ruisseau des Ruines.
The walk through this valley between La Valette and Fontagneux is very pleasant, with consistently unobstructed views of the mountains. The route is enhanced by passing through villages and hamlets, as well as by remarkable trees (notably the superb avenue of old, gnarled poplars on arrival in Fontagneux). Plenty of crocuses at this time of year. I completed this walk in 3½ hours. Thanks to the author.

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