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Car park in Montgesoye, in the centre of the village, opposite the war memorial. Yellow-blue markings.
(S/E) Head towards the statue of the Virgin Mary and follow the path that runs alongside the playground. Back on the road, take a few steps to the right and immediately turn left up the slope to the fountain. Continue to the right to the corner of the CCAS, then left onto the small tarmac road.
(1) Leave this quickly and take the grassy path that runs between the transformer and the houses. At the edge of the woods, continue straight on along the path that climbs. At the sign for “Variante Belvédère de la Thuyère”, continue straight up, following the Red Diamond markings (mark 5), then turn left to the viewpoint. Along the way, there are lovely views of the valley as the leaves fall.
(2) Leave the viewpoint with your back to it, heading towards the small pasture. Cross it, veering slightly to the right towards a clearing on the opposite edge to rejoin the D133. Head up to the right for about 150m and take the stony forest track that branches off to the right into the woods, following it for 3km. It then becomes a narrow path that veers sharply to the right, descending into the valley alongside a stream.
(3) You’ll quickly pass a beautiful tufa waterfall. At the bottom of the valley, the path turns left, following the Ruisseau de Vau, and reaches a footbridge.
(4) Do not cross it just yet. Continue along the path on the same side of the stream, following it and fording it several times to reach the bottom of the valley and its beautiful waterfall.
(5) Take exactly the same path back, to avoid any confusion, until you reach the footbridge.
(4) Cross the footbridge. It will require a bit of a gymnast’s skill as it is narrow and the wooden handrail is a little rickety. On the other side, turn right, following the stream along the opposite bank to exit the forest and stay on this stony path which runs the entire length of the valley.
(6) At the fork, at the foot of the cliffs overlooking the valley, turn right towards the village, continuing to follow the stream (leaving the marked path). At the first houses in the village, head straight up. At the ‘Give Way’ sign, turn left, pass in front of the town hall to arrive at the back of the church.
(7) Turn right into the dead-end lane, taking a moment to admire the old gravestones. At the foot of the church, go down the steps, then turn right to return to the car park (S/E).
Rocky and slippery paths. Sturdy footwear is essential and walking poles are recommended.
Visorando member
Easy 
