Chartreuse State Forest

On the Pontgibaud bypass (D941B) towards Pontaumur, take the D418 to Montfermy. Car park near the bridge over the Sioule.

(S/E) From the starting point sign, cross the Sioule and follow the D418 for about 400 m, then take the^second road on the left towards La Garde.

(1) At the first bend, take a path leading down to the left, cross a stream, go up and then down again to follow the banks of the Sioule (waterfall on the left).

(2) Ignore a footbridge on the left and continue along the right bank until you reach a junction under a high-voltage power line (another^PR® Vert sign).

(3) Turn left and, 20 m further on, head down to the right. Continue along the banks of the Sioule until you reach the road (300 m to the right: ruins of the Port Sainte-Marie Charterhouse).

(4) Follow the road to the left and cross the Sioule.

(5) Head up to the right along the stony path. Join a road, leaving two paths on your right.

(6) Cross a road and continue straight ahead to the next road.

(7) At the crossroads, head straight on and follow the small road to a Fork in the road with a wooden cross.

(8) Turn left, pass through the hamlet of La Serre and, on the way out, take a good path straight ahead and continue to a four-way junction.

(9) Turn left, then ignore a path on the left and carry on to a crossroads near a hut. Turn right and continue to a road

(10) At the crossroads with a cross, turn left and arrive at the village of Côte-Faîte.

(11) Cross the village by heading right and, on the way out, go down the path on the right, then head back up through the woodland to a four-way junction.

(12) At the Fork in the road, head down to the left, then go back up and, at the next junction, carry on straight ahead. At the small road, continue straight on towards the hamlet of Chazots.

(13) In the hamlet, take a grassy path straight ahead, reach a T-junction and head down to the left to the Quarte stream.

(14) Cross it and continue down to the left. Cross the Ruisseau de Tourdoux and head back up the other side of the valley. At the junction of several paths, turn right for 20 m, then veer left and continue along this well-maintained path

(15) At the T-junction, turn right for 50 metres, then left onto the small road. After 150 metres, turn right, then left at the first Fork in the road, and continue downhill to Montfermy (view of the village and its 12th-century church) to reach the car park near the bridge over the Sioule (S/E).

For your safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm and waterproof clothing with you, and wear suitable walking shoes.

Some sites are sensitive, so please stay on the marked paths. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Please take your rubbish with you.