Heath and the Chassezac cliff from Chansolas

Park in Maisonneuve, in the car park near the cemetery, located on Chemin de Chamviel.

(S/E) Head north and, at the first junction, turn right onto Chemin de Bel Air to reach the D104.

(1) Cross it carefully, follow it for a few dozen metres to the right, then turn left onto a path that winds sharply to the left. It is a very wild path with a faint track, but one that is easy enough to follow. You cross a wide plain covered in flowers in spring, then some woodland before reaching a small road.

(2) Follow it to the left. Pass in front of a farm (dogs a bit aggressive and owner not very responsive, late May 2026) and reach a Fork in the road.

(3) Take the path on the right. At the next Fork in the road, turn right to join a wider path. Follow it to the right, marked with yellow and white signs. You’ll reach a T-junction.

(4) Turn right to reach Chandolas at the Chemin de la Croisette.

(5) Follow it to the left. At the T-junction, turn left towards the north, then immediately right to reach a Fork in the road.

(6) Take Rue du Calvaire on the right and join Chemin du Mouroulet.

(7) Head right, then take Chemin du Claou on the left. About a hundred metres further on, just past the last house, turn right onto a wide path. At the T-junction, turn left, and at the Fork in the road, take Chemin de Font Pelouse on the right. Follow it to a T-junction.

(8) Head right and immediately turn left onto a path marked in yellow and white. Reach the Fontaine Pelouse (cave). Continue north (barrier) and follow the gently ascending path to reach a junction.

(9) Continue straight ahead, due north.

(10) At the fork in the road, turn left and reach a T-junction. Turn left again to reach a junction. Continue straight ahead, following the markings, until you reach a wide path. Follow it to the right for a few metres and reach a fork: hiking signpost.

(11) Turn left towards Croix de Raoux. A little further on, the path slopes northwards to the right, then turns west to reach a wider track (the OpenStreetMap route is accurate). Follow it to the right until you reach a T-junction.

(12) Head left and reach a ruined farmhouse. Go round it on the left, then head left. Stay on the wide track and reach a T-junction. First turn right then left and find a path leading to the D104.

(13) Cross it carefully and follow it a few metres to the right to find a path on the left: old signpost “drystone shelters”. Take this path, which is a bit overgrown at the start but soon clears up. Follow the track, which is generally quite well marked, heading north and eventually joining a small road.

(14) Follow it to the left until you reach the quarry. At the entrance, take the wide path on the left. Follow it due south until you reach a crossroads.

(15) Turn right, passing in front of the Grotte de Saint-Arnaud: I saw the entrance to a karstic cave there; perhaps that is the cave? You’ll reach a junction.

(16) Take the hairpin bend to the left, staying on the main path. Walk for 300 m until you reach a Fork in the road.

(17) Take the grassy path on the left which runs alongside a farm (on the left). This section is marked in yellow, but the markings are sparse and faded. Ignore a path on the right and reach a Fork in the road.

(18) Follow the path on the left and continue straight on (so to speak), broadly heading south. After a pleasant descent, you’ll reach a clearing: a cave (rock shelter) on the left. Continue along the path (clearly marked) until you reach a Fork in the road. Take the left-hand path. At the next Fork in the road, turn right and continue southwards to a T-junction.

(19) Follow an unmarked path to the right (Yellow Cross at the start), but a very pleasant one. After 200 m, you’ll reach a junction and take the well-marked path on the left. Follow it for about 200 m.

(20) Then head left (the fork is not very obvious, but the route is clear). Follow the path, first downhill, then slightly uphill. At the highest point, continue straight ahead and, via a zigzagging path, join a wide track

(21) Follow this track to the right (lovely scree!) and reach a car park, then a small road. Follow it downhill to the right to reach the banks of the Chassezac. Continue to the left, staying on the small road, to cross the hamlet of Chaulet. You’ll arrive opposite a farm.

(22) Go round it to the right, pass a clearing (caravan) and rejoin a path which you follow to the right. A steep climb takes you to the Ronc Redon where you’ll find a Fork in the road (see practical information).

(23) Turn right to follow the Chassezac along the cliff edge. It can be quite daunting at times (not recommended for those prone to vertigo), but it is magnificent and not too difficult. You will reach a junction at the entrance to Maisonneuve.

(24) Follow the path on the left to find the Chemin du Gour de Muzy. Follow it straight on until you reach a Fork in the road.

(25) Take the path on the left and head towards the church. Then turn left to reach the cemetery (S/E).

Wear sturdy footwear and a walking stick is recommended.

At point (23), if the rock is wet, it is best to turn left. You will soon reach a small road; follow it to the right to reach a crossroads. Head straight ahead to return to the car park where you started.