Col de Mille Martyrs via Grand Vivier

Start from the small car park at the northern entrance to the village of Saint-Sixte, on the^D49C.

(S/E) Take the road leading uphill towards the village, head right up to the church, then carry on straight ahead, downhill. Walk along the left-hand side of Lake Saint-Sixte, then past the cemetery, until you reach a fork in the path.

(1) Head uphill to the right and join a path on the right after the wide bend to the left.

(2) Leave the road and take the path branching off to the right, towards Saint-Nicolas. A steep section, a flat stretch, then another steep section before a long traverse through the forest. Deep ruts left by forestry machinery can make the path very muddy! Cross over to the other side of the ridge and continue until you reach the second single track on the right.

(3) Take this and climb, generally following the ridge and ignoring the turn-offs to the right. Then descend towards the Étang des Chartreux, which you leave on your left, and arrive at a small road. Follow it to the left and you’ll soon reach the bottom of the slope.

(4) Turn off onto the path that climbs to the right and reach a fork in the woods.

(5) Stay on this main path, which heads off to the right, and, about 300 metres further on, you’ll reach a fork.

(6) Turn left and reach a junction at the Col du Pilori.

(7) Ignore a track on the right that heads down and, a few metres further on, take the narrow single track that climbs up the north-east ridge, leaving the main track behind. A magnificent, technical little single track. You’ll reach a fork at the top of the ridge.

(8) Head right, towards the sun-facing side, and make your way down to the road below. Take it to the left. Ride past a private property on your right, and arrive at a fork before the house/barn.

(9) Take the forest track which descends slightly to the right, makes a wide bend to the left, then heads off to rejoin a road. Carry on straight ahead and you’ll soon reach the Col des Mille Martyrs.

(10) Turn left onto the D28 road, then take the first track on the left. Head down to the junction.

(11) First turn right then left, and follow the main track to the Col du Pilori, which you passed earlier.

(7) Leave the main track you took on the way up and take the small single track opposite, which climbs to the right up onto the ridge; then, after a lovely north-westerly descent, you’ll rejoin the path you’ve already been on.

(5) Follow the path opposite, taking the reverse route of the outward journey, to the bottom of the valley.

(4) Continue along the road to the right, pass through Saint-Sixte and head back to the car park on the^{D49C (} S/E).

Swimming is possible at Lake Saint-Sixte.
Please note that some sections may be very muddy.
Paths are shared with foresters, hunters and walkers.