Poix circuit in Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-la-Valmitte

Start at Place du Souvenir near the war memorial.

(S/E) Follow the D14.3, with the square on your right, until you reach the statue of the Madonna, then take the path on the right and follow it until you reach the D104.

(1) Cross the road with caution, take the path that climbs slightly to the right until you reach the hamlet of Chazourne.

(2) In the hamlet, turn right then left in front of the farm and take the dirt road that branches off to the right. Keep right until you reach a Y-junction (Carrefour des Rippes).

(3) Turn left onto the path and follow it until you reach Route du Mont. Cross the road and continue straight ahead. Descend to the hamlet of Merle, keeping left on the road. Pass the cemetery and the stream

(4) Turn left and then right and left to see the^11th-century church.

(5) In front of the church, continue, ignore an intersection and turn right. Then go straight ahead at the next intersection to rejoin the road. Turn left, then right towards the stream.

(4) Pass the cemetery on your right and climb up to the hamlet of Le Champ.

(6) Pass the farm and take the path to a road. Turn right towards the D 104.

(7) Cross the road with caution, pass the stone hut on your left and follow the dirt track on the right until you reach the Pâtureaux junction.

(8) Turn right until you reach the village of Leignecq.

(9) In the village, go around the town hall on the right, climb behind the town hall and then turn left to the old castle. Take the path on the left to reach a road.

(10) Follow this road to the left and, at the second bend, take the small path that descends to the lake.

(11) Go around the lake on the right and follow the campsite. Take the road uphill on the right to reach Reffiecq.

(12) Follow the path on the left at the entrance to the hamlet, continue along it through the woods and go to the end at the Pont du Pêcher.

(13) Turn right, then go straight ahead until you reach the village of Saint-Hilaire. Continue straight ahead until you reach the car park (S/E).

Set off to discover a remarkable heritage of^11th-century churches, a pitch oven, crosses and a lake. This trail will reveal the hidden treasures of life in the Haut-Forez region in days gone by.

Merle Church, Leignecq Church, old pitch oven, lake.