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Park in the hamlet of Rieisse, using the small car park near the lodge.
(S/E) Head towards the centre of the hamlet.
Yellow and red GRP® markings
Turn right, following the sign for "Anilhac". Make sure you pass to the right of the bread oven to take the path that runs alongside a few houses on your left: the path on the other side of the oven leads to private property. When you reach a junction marked by an old metal cross (which is a bit hard to spot amid the overgrown vegetation), turn left (markings are poor at this point). The narrow path gives way to a more comfortable track, crosses a magnificent coniferous woodland and eventually leads out onto the D16.
(1) Don’t hesitate to take a short detour to the right to see the beautiful drystone shelter in perfect condition; retrace your steps and follow the road on the left-hand side to the Col de Rieisse, where a panoramic view of the Causse Méjean opens up: __* see § Practical Information.
No signposting
Continue straight on, take a left-hand bend and walk for about half a kilometre.
(2) Leave the road and turn onto the grassy path on the left, which joins the tarmac road leading to Rouveret further on. Turn left, pass the cemetery and then the church, and arrive at the crossroads marking the centre of the village, where there are a few pretty Causse-style houses and a beautiful cross.
GRP® yellow and red markings
(3) Turn right onto the tarmac road and continue along a lovely sunken path until you reach a crossroads marked by a metal cross bearing the instruments of the Passion.
(4) Turn right onto a narrow path lined with box hedges and join the D16. Continue in the same direction to the nearby road junction known as the White Cross, named after the beautiful, imposing cross that stands there.
(5) Cross the D43 with care and continue straight ahead towards Montignac. Reach the centre of the village and look out for the sign on the stone wall indicating a right turn.
(6) Turn right. When you reach a dry stone wall on the left, stop climbing and turn right onto a wide grassy path: be careful, this turn-off is not obvious! Initially flat, this path becomes a trail that climbs to cross a rocky outcrop, then levels out again, with the houses of Anilhac in sight. Head towards the centre of the hamlet.
(7) Turn left, passing a small, well-restored house and following the sign for “Hauterives”. Follow the beautiful double track, which follows the contour lines, to the edge of the plateau.
(8) Access to the Couronne viewpoint is no longer possible as a fence blocks the way. The wide path followed up to this point gives way here to a narrow track which immediately begins the descent into the Tarn valley. First cross an area sadly scarred by the 2021 fires, then a greener section. A series of tight hairpin bends then leads beneath the imposing ruins of Hauterives Castle, perched on its rocky outcrop to the right. Turn left to pass between the beautiful stone houses of Castéllos, continue the descent and reach a crossroads where a signpost stands.
GR® White and Red markings
(9) Leave the PR® heading off to the right towards Saint-Chély du Tarn, turn left and head for the hamlet of Hauterives, accessible only on foot or by crossing the Tarn by boat. Take the time to admire the beautiful stone buildings topped with slate, some of which are unfortunately left to fall into disrepair.
Opposite the large banner reading “Village en péril”, temporarily leave the GR® and head down to the right to reach the banks of the Tarn at the cable gondola used to deliver supplies from the road on the other side of the river. Follow the riverbank until you come to a fence bearing a “Private Property” sign, then head back up to the left to rejoin the trail.
The path quickly begins to climb to go round a rock dropping sheer into the river, then starts a descent with a few very steep sections secured by cables and wooden steps.
(10) Turn right, cross a lovely wooden walkway, then descend to the level of the Tarn. Follow the river through the undergrowth on your right, enjoying the shade and the very pleasant sandy ground underfoot. Access to the Tarn isn’t exactly easy (tall grass, spongy patches, steep banks, etc.) and you’ll have to wait until you get closer to La Malène to find some very pleasant spots for a swim. You’ll come out onto the D43.
(11) Turn right to reach the bridge at La Malène. Enjoy the view of this exceptional village nestled beneath the rocky outcrops. Continue straight on without crossing the bridge.
Signposting: GR® white and red + PR® yellow
Follow the track, which is closed to traffic except for local residents, and continue for about 200 m. Look out for the signpost marking the start of a narrow path on the left.
PR® yellow markings
(12) Take this path, following the sign for “Rieisse – Roc des Hourtous”. The climb is steady and sustained, alternating between tight hairpin bends and long, sweeping sections. Towards the end, the gradient eases and the path passes through a beautiful woodland of conifers and oaks before reaching the hamlet of Rieisse. Emerging onto the tarmac, turn right as indicated by the signposting, then left, to reach the old bread oven and a signpost slightly off to the right. Take a moment to admire the exceptional architecture of the stone houses in this hamlet, which are in a very good state of repair.
Continue straight on to quickly return to the starting car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Tourist office
Easy 
