Country:
City:
Park at the entrance to Châteauvieux-les-Fossés, near the wooden information sign. Good quality yellow and blue signposting.
(S/E) Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a beautiful view of the remains of the ramparts and the Loue valley. Head back up towards Châteauvieux-les-Fossés via the Rue Principale to explore one of the smallest villages in France and discover the moats, a turreted house and the remains of the medieval castle. Pass the town hall and its wash house, continue straight ahead and you will arrive at the entrance to the castle. If the gate is closed, take a quick, discreet peek through the small door to see the beautiful inner courtyard. Return to the information board and take the path on the right that runs along the moats towards the Source Bleue.
(1) After the first bend, below the castle, there is a fork in the path at the foot of a signpost. Continue downhill to the right along the grassy path. At the bottom of the valley, cross the Raffenot stream and turn right onto the stony road that passes in front of a small chalet.
(2) After the footbridge over the Vergetolle stream, turn left, still heading towards the Source Bleue. You may need to open (and close) two metal gates to discover this charming little valley of contrasting light and shade.
(3) When this beautiful path crosses the stream, do not cross, but continue along the right bank of the Vergettolle on the path that will lead you to the Source Bleue. At the spring, retrace your steps for about a hundred metres to find a ford before two large stones on either side of the stream. Be careful, the signpost is on the other bank. Then go up to the right. (If you miss this ford, don't panic, cross at the first ford (3) and go up to the right).
Be careful, as the start of the climb to the bottom of the valley is on a wet and slippery rock path. Follow the waterfalls and you will arrive in front of a tuff rock formation on your left. Continue along the path that passes at the foot of a large tree (signpost facing in the opposite direction) and approaches the stream again, staying on its left bank. The landscape becomes wild, but the path is well marked and signposted.
(4) You finally arrive at the foot of the superb tufa formation. Continue climbing to the left. A hundred metres higher, at the foot of a tree bearing a signpost, the path turns left (towards Châteauvieux). You will soon come to a small recess that the path will take you around at the top. The path that then crosses the Cuchot becomes wilder, with a few trees in the way, but these do not obstruct the path.
(5) As you approach the ledges, the forest thins out and you come to a fork. Take the right-hand path towards Chantrans - Châteauvieux.
(6) Caution: when you pass a mossy dry stone wall on your left, you will come to a first fork. Continue straight ahead, still following the collapsed wall for about fifteen steps until you reach the junction of two descending paths. Take the second path (on the left) and descend for about 150 metres. At the foot of a tree on the right with signs for Chantrans-Source Bleue and VTT29, you will come to a three-way intersection: take the sunken path down to the left (sign for Châteauvieux). Halfway down the slope, the path turns sharply to the right.
(7) Back in the valley, cross the old stone bridge opposite to climb back up to the village. You will come back to the crossroads.
(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths in places. Good footwear is essential and walking sticks are recommended.
) Beautiful memories nonetheless...
. Easy parking in the car park and a gravel path to the village of Chateauvieux, where you can rejoin the route (approximately 1 km extra)
Visorando Member
Easy 
