Circular route from Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux via Saint-Christophe-la-Montagne

Park in the car park on the square near the school and the town hall of Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux, just below the D45

(S/E) Take the path going uphill to the left, then turn right onto the Route de la Montagne. Shortly after leaving the village, leave the road and take the path on the left running along the edge of a small wood. After a circular route, you’ll reach the hamlet of En Bel-Air.

(1) Walk through it, then continue uphill to reach the hamlet of Nuzillet.

(2) Continue on, passing the wash house, then turn right onto the path, still climbing. Walk through woods and fields until you reach a four-way crossroads at the edge of a wood.

(3) Continue straight ahead into the woods until you reach the junction of several roads in the hamlet of La Plaine.

(4) Take the Route de la Plaine straight ahead, then turn right at^{the first} crossroads. Continue through the woods and, via a gentle climb, reach the highest point at a circular bend.

(5) Start the descent here, follow the edge of the woods and join the Route de Saint-Igny-de-Vers.

(6) Turn left onto it and you’ll soon reach the hamlet of Vaujon.

(7) Continue straight ahead along the path between the fields and then into the forest. You’ll come to a T-junction in a clearing.

(8) First turn right then left here, and head back into the forest. Carry on to reach the crossroads in the La Charmette district before the village of Vervy.

(9) Turn right, walk past the cemetery and then the chapel. Turn left onto the path and head down to Saint-Christophe.

(10) Walk round the village, then take the Route de Saint-Igny-de-Vers opposite. Pass the town hall, then look out for the junction with the Chemin de Vervy.

(11) Turn right here, continue downhill and walk through fields and woods. You’ll reach another T-junction in a clearing.

(12) Carry on straight ahead, passing the houses of La Roche Blanche before reaching a multi-way junction.

(13) Head straight down the hill to reach Les Lamains.

(14) Walk through this small village, go downhill, then turn left into Impasse du Château and right onto Route des Perserins. Walk around the buildings before reaching the D45.

(15) Here you have two options:
- take the D45 on the left, a quiet road, to return directly to the car park at Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux (S/E),
- cross it and head straight on, following the route shown on the map, along the path leading up to Le Borbeau.

(16) Take the path downhill to the left until you reach a road at the Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux cemetery.

(17) Turn left onto this road, which is also quiet, to return to the car park at Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux (S/E).

There are plenty of unobstructed views of the surrounding valleys, though the downside is that the route is often exposed to the sun, so it’s probably best avoided during very hot weather.
This route mainly follows easy paths and a few very quiet roads.
Between (5) and (6): a short muddy section due to a spring flooding the path.

(2) The small, very typical hamlet of Le Nuzillet.
(9) The chapel at Vevry.
(10) The small village of Saint-Christophe.