The Truc de Fortunio circular loop via Lake Charpal

Park in the church car park to reach the starting point in front of the cemetery behind the church (you can also park there).

(S/E) Leave the cemetery on your right and follow a^GR®-marked path northwards to the hamlet of Coulagnes-Basses. Enter the hamlet and turn left to cross the bridge over the Colagne.

(1) Turn right, heading east, onto the tarmac road (a short, steep climb) to head up towards the hamlet of Vitrolles. Walk through the village (steep climb) until you reach a 90° bend to the left.

(2) At this bend, carry on straight ahead onto a gravel track. Pass the farm on your right; the path heads south and joins a three-way junction.

(3) Turn left onto the track leading towards Montagne de Vitrolles. The climb is gradual and leads to a tarmac road.

(4) Turn right and follow the road for about 300 m for a round trip to the Truc de Fortunio.

(5) Enjoy the magnificent 360° panoramic view and the orientation board, then head back towards the previous junction.

(4) Continue straight on along the road until you reach the start of a forest track on the right, where there is a green gate.

(6) Leave the^GR® route and turn onto this forest track. Follow it to the next gate and, from there, continue straight on to reach a junction of four tracks.

(7) Take the second track on the right, almost directly opposite, and head towards the dam. At the Forestry Commission’s office, follow the track straight ahead (do not turn right).

(8) Cross the dam. Ignoring the path on the right, walk up through the car park until you reach its exit at a junction.

(9) Take the first right and follow the^PR® route^. Head back down the path to reach the Colage, cross the river and reach Coulagne-Hautes.

(10) Carry on straight ahead at the three-way junction to cross the village heading west; about a hundred metres after leaving the village, just before a house, you’ll find a path branching off to the right.

(11) Turn right onto a steep climb; at the end of the path, you’ll reach a small road.

(12) Turn right towards the hamlet of Vitrolettes, following the^GR® once more, and walk through the hamlet. On leaving the hamlet, ignore a path on your right and continue to the first three-way junction in the road.

(13) Keep left as you head downhill along a gravel path. At the bottom of the descent, you’ll reach a fork in the road just before the Malaval stream, which flows into the Colagne.

(14) Turn left, cross the Colagne and head back up towards Mouilhet.

(15) Leave the village of Mouilhet on your right without going through it. Follow the road as it climbs to the left to join the D1.

(16) Follow it to the right for a few dozen metres and turn onto the first gravel track on the right. At the first three-way junction, keep left to reach Vialaret. You’ll rejoin the D1 on leaving Vialaret. Follow it for about a hundred metres until you come out of the bend.

(17) Take the path uphill to the right, which quickly leads to the Place du Foirail and then to the church and its car park (S/E).

Avoid this walk during the hottest hours of summer. Make sure you take water with you.
Fountain at Vitrolettes.

(5) Orientation table at Truc de Fortunio with a magnificent 360° panorama.
(8) Lake Charpal with its dam.
Typical Lozère hamlets.
Pleasant footpaths.