A route taking in two of the Toy region’s gems, Viey and Sers

Starting from Viey: park in the centre of the village in a small designated car park.

(S/E) Head right, following the road which, after a left-hand bend, climbs up to the top of the village. You’ll find the wash house with a lovely fountain flowing from it. On the wall near the fountain, you’ll see a signpost pointing towards the village of Sers. Turn right and follow this path until it splits into two.

(1) Take the left-hand path and follow this trail up a fairly steep slope which will take you to Sers. Once you reach this lovely little village, you will have covered about half the route.

(2) Head down to the right towards the town hall and the church. Once you’re in front of the church, turn right onto a narrow lane, then right again to reach the end of the small road leading to the houses at the bottom of the village.

(3) Take the path opposite, which then takes a sharp bend to the right. Continue along this path, which descends through a wood, and, after two more hairpin bends, you’ll reach a large meadow by the Ruisseau du Bastan.

(4) Turn right onto a track suitable for vehicles, which will take you to a farm building.

(5) Go round it on the right, continue across the meadow to the woods and head back up to the first junction.

(1) Then follow the route back in the opposite direction to return to the village of Viey. Head towards the fountain, then turn left to reach the town hall and finally the car park (S/E).

A short walk on loamy ground, very pleasant and safe, with a good elevation gain and a few narrow sections that should only be tackled in good weather and on dry ground.
To be avoided at all costs if the ground is waterlogged, slippery or in wet weather, or if conditions are likely to become so during the walk, as some sections may be tricky.

At the fork in the path at (1), do not forget to close the animal gates.

There are magnificent views to admire throughout the route as you climb towards Sers. The village of Betpouey lies close by on the right, at eye level, on the other side of the Bastan Valley, as do the surrounding peaks, particularly those to the east that separate us from the Néouvielle nature reserve and lakes.

The beauty of the two villages of Viey and Sers, with their gleaming stone staircases, is remarkable. The little churches are magnificent, with their porches adorned with ‘chrismes’ and, as in Sers, a tiny cemetery adjoining the building. A well-documented mini-exhibition explains the history of the chrismes and their significance in the antechamber just inside the church porch, which houses a magnificent altarpiece.