A wild circular walk in the Monges massif

The access road is rudimentary and very narrow but passable by car. In places, it can be quite daunting (Clue de Feissal). Park at the side of the forest road, before the valley/stream, shortly after the turn-off to the hamlet of Feissal.

(S/E) On the approach road, head back the way you came (west). After a few dozen metres, turn right onto a path climbing towards the hamlet of Feissal (^GR®6, marked in red and white).

(1) Walk through the hamlet of Feissal and continue north-west along the signposted path. Climb through the mountain pastures. The path turns west and reaches the Croix de la Jatte, a sort of small pass.

(2) Continue the ascent along the hillside, heading west-north-west, still following the^GR®6. This will take you to the Crête de Pierre-Mont.

(3) Follow the ridge to the right, leave the^GR® and follow the yellow markings. Climb steadily, heading east then east-north-east. Further on, head north and pass the foot of an unnamed hillock on the right (elevation 1922). Reach the foot of a rocky ridge.

(4) Continue north-east and skirt the overhanging rocky outcrop on the left. Climb to the summit of Les Monges (beautiful panoramic view).

(5) Descend on the other side towards the east to quickly reach an unnamed pass. Then turn right and head off-track. Make your way eastwards then south-eastwards along the edge of a steep slope descending to the left (take care). Choose the route that suits you best, as the route is only indicative here. After this section at a roughly constant altitude, the path begins to descend.

(6) Descend steeply in switchbacks, heading roughly east-southeast. Find the best route according to your own judgement. Reach the Croix de Veyre.

(7) Turn right onto a well-marked path, heading south-west then due south; the path is unmarked until it joins the^GR®6.

(8) Follow it south then south-west (red and white markings). This is a vibrant landscape of woodland edges and pastures, with a few crossings over black (or grey) marl known locally as ‘robines’, which is constantly eroding. Reach the hamlet of Les Bastides.

(9) Continue south-west along the signposted path, which widens. Walk through pastures, fording a few streams, and shortly afterwards you’ll reach a crossroads.

(10) Ignore a path branching off to the right and continue westwards to the starting point (S/E).

From the summit of Les Monges until you reach La Croix de Veyre (7), the route is mainly unmarked and off-trail. Following the route using the Visorando app can be very helpful.

The landscapes are wild and magnificent. On the Monges ridge, the view is magnificent; then, after the Croix de Veyre (7), the landscape changes completely to one of forests and pastures.