Montagne Sainte-Marguerite from Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier

In Saint-Pierre-de-Colombier, park in the Place du Marché, located on the D343 towards Juvinas.

The markings are white and yellow, though sometimes faint and old. The descent from the summit to the hamlet of Aubignas follows unmarked paths.

(S/E) From the Place du Marché, take the D343 towards Juvinas for about 400m.

(1) On the left, head towards Le Courtiaol and after 50m turn left again onto the street called "Chemin des Terrisses".
At a hairpin bend turning left, continue straight on along the path that passes above a farm building. Take an uphill path on the left (there is a cairn on the left at the start of this path). Do not cross the Ruisseau du Libonès. You will reach a road at a hairpin bend.

(2) Turn left onto this road. Then continue along this road which climbs to the left, just opposite the ‘Croisement’ road sign. At the next road, turn right.
At a right-hand bend, take the path continuing from the road. Cross two fords. You will reach a road in the hamlet of Libonès.

(3) Turn right and cross this hamlet. At a hairpin bend turning left around a building, take the dead-end road on the right, which is restricted to 6-tonne vehicles. Further on, opposite a house, take a wide dirt track on the left which leads to a road. Reach the Col de Juvinas via the road or the hiking trail.

(4) At the signpost, turn right towards ‘Font Rognon (2.1km) Chirols 7.6km’. This path, on the other side of the road, climbs through the forest. Towards the ridge, it runs alongside a fence in an open area and arrives at the Col de Hautaizac.

(5) At the edge of the pine forest, look out for a track on the right marked with a white-and-yellow cross on a tree trunk. You will need to pass this spot again on the way back. For now, ignore this track and continue straight ahead.

(6) On the left, there is a path (marked with a white-and-yellow cross on a tree trunk) leading about ten metres to a natural viewpoint offering fine views of the valley and the surrounding hills. Take a return trip.
You arrive at a junction with the D343. There is a signpost here.

(7) Follow the signs for ‘Sainte-Marguerite 1.1km, Vals-les-Bains 10.9km’. Climb to the summit via the road (there is a road sign on the left for ‘Sainte Marguerite’).
Running parallel to this, note the path on the right which will be used for the descent.
Reach the summit of Montagne Sainte-Marguerite.

(8) For the descent, to the right of the Sainte-Marguerite Chapel, look out for a wooden hut at the foot of a small transmitter in the distance. Right next to it is a blue sign marked ‘Juvinas’; take the inconspicuous path leading down from this spot. Then follow the path signposted ‘Juvinas, Chirols’. It overlooks the road taken on the ascent and joins the crossroads of tracks.

(7) Turn right and follow the signs for ‘La Faysse 2km Juvinas 2.8km’ to the Col de Hautaizac.

(5) Take the track on the left despite the presence of a white and yellow marked cross on a tree trunk.
It continues due west along a well-marked ridge path that descends gradually. Then follow a low wall (altitude 738m); at the Col des Champs, turn left to cross a meadow. The path then winds between two small walls before reaching the hamlet of Aubignas.

(9) Take the road on the right to the end of the hamlet. Then continue along a path to Barricaud.

(10) Turn right. At the last houses, first turn right then left to rejoin the hiking trail slightly below. Cross the road three times then take the “Chemin de la Gonthier” track.

(11) At the La Gonthier signpost, turn right towards “Saint-Pierre-De-Colombier 4km”.

(12) Walk through the hamlet of La Vedèche. When you reach a road, turn left. Take a path leading uphill on the right (there is a signpost with the symbol of the Way of St James; follow this signposting for the rest of the route). You will come to a road.

(13) At the last houses, take the path on the left, opposite a house and in front of an EDF concrete post. It crosses the road twice. You will reach a road. Turn right and follow this road for 500m. Take a path on the left leading down into the forest. You will reach the first houses.
¹ On the left, take a paved slanting street that runs alongside a house and is bordered by a low wall. Cross the Ruisseau du Libonès and arrive at Impasse du Courtiol Bas.

(1) Head straight ahead and return to the starting car park (S/E).

The path known as the “des Terrisses”, situated as an extension of the track of the same name, has recently been restored, slightly below the previous route shown on IGN maps. Only a few cairns mark its presence.
There are fords, particularly between (1) and (3). A steep climb from the Col de Juvinas (from (4) to (5)). Very stony paths from (4) to (7) and along the ridge path from (5) to (9).
A long route with some steep sections from (4) to (7), both uphill and downhill. A route for experienced hikers.
Orientation table at the summit of Montagne St-Marguerite. Stunning panoramic views from the summit and along the ridge path from (5) to (9). Beautiful views from the natural viewpoint (6) and along the balcony path overlooking the River Bourges between (12) and (13).
The summit of this mountain is accessible by road from Pont de Verrières and Chirols and offers exceptional views as far as Mont Ventoux, the Trois Becs in the Drôme and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps.

Burzet
Niègles (Black Madonna in its church)
Ventadour Castle, currently undergoing restoration.
¹ Following a spell of rain, it is more practical to continue via the Impasse des Terrons, then the Route de Juvinas to reach the (1).