The Chapel of Saint-Vital and Roc de Bessède from Croix des Baussels

The starting point is at Croix des Baussels, located on the left of the D180E6, 4.5 km from Lamalou-les-Bains.

Yellow PR® marked in yellow and GRP® marked in yellow and red

(S/E) With your back to the road, follow the beautiful yellow-marked trail due west towards the hamlet of Torteillan.

(1) On leaving the hamlet, take the tarmac road on the left for a few metres, which leads to a place called La Capoulade. Find the GR® trail on the right and follow it. After crossing the ford, continue towards Combes. You will come to the road at the entrance to the village.

(2) Take the street on the left, still following the GR® markings, which will take you through the village. At Les Baoumelos, leave the GR® and take the tarmac path on the right, which descends and joins the D180 road. Follow this for about 200 metres. There is a cross here.

No markings

(3) Leave the D180 and take an unmarked path on the left, running parallel to the road. This path is stony on the way up and not very well maintained. Join the D180 at Col des Princes.

(4) Follow it to the left for 100 metres, then turn right to follow the track, which initially descends. Continue, ignoring another track coming from the right. Turn right onto the track where there is a sign indicating the direction of the Chapelle Saint-Vital. Reach the crossroads that leads to the chapel.

(5) Turn left for a round trip to the ruins of Saint-Vital Chapel and Roc de Bessède, located on the left.

(6) From Roc de Bessède, retrace your steps to the previous crossroads.

(5) Continue left until you come to a wide track.

(7) Take the track on the left for about 180 metres.

(8) Leave the track and take a path on the right at an elevation of 544 metres, which crosses a ford and leads to a track coming from Col des Princes.

(9) Continue left on this track, with your back to Col des Princes. Pass the pumping station and the forest path to reach a fork.

(10) Continue left, then turn left again onto a path that leads back to the Croix des Baussels (S/E) after crossing the D180E6.

There is no car park. Park as best you can at the edge of the tracks or roadside.

As the route is only partially marked, the use of the Visorando app or a hiking GPS is strongly recommended.

Avoid hiking on hunting days or after heavy rain the day before.

Visit the pretty hamlet of Torteillan

Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Church in Combes

Ruined chapel of St-Vital and Roc de Bessède