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In Sanilhac, there is a large car park clearly signposted to the left, north of the church.
(S/E) Follow the road to the left for 50 metres after leaving the car park, then descend to the right towards a path (yellow and white markings). At the tarmac road, continue straight ahead on a beautiful drovers' road. At the road, turn slightly right, then a few metres later left onto a wide path. At the road, turn sharply left and after 100 metres, take the path that climbs to the right and arrives atthe GR® de Pays du Tour du Tanargue signpost.
(1) Follow the road to the left for 50 metres and take the drovers' road slightly to the right (marked yellow-white and yellow-red). You will come to an impressive wall (hotel-restaurant), mainly built of dry stone. Keep left downhill at the exit of the establishment, then turn right into Impasse du Pouchonnet. Stay on the road, which continues as a wide path entering a mixed wood of pines, oaks, and the remains of old chestnut trees. Keep left at the Pouchonnet three-way junction (now marked only in yellow and red).
(2) Keep left again at the junction with the forest road, cross straight ahead through a first clearing, then another larger clearing. You will arrive at the signpost for Pissevieille.
(3) Descend to the right to the stream. After crossing it, walk over a large sandstone slab. Going uphill, after the heather, go straight through the vineyards, then left at the "Refuge des Renards" bungalow. Reach a meadow and walk along its left side. The Tour de Brison is clearly visible. Continue along the drovers' road at the top of the meadow to reach the road.
(4) Continue straight ahead and cross the hamlet of Brison, following Impasse Brison on the right. Pass the hamlet of Les Combes on your right and continue straight ahead along the path. Stay opposite to cross the Pissevieille stream again. Keep to the right as you climb this stony path. After a bend to the right, there is a flat section, but after a left-hand bend, the path becomes steep and joins the road.
(5) The path is very stony and very steep, crossing the road four times. This is the most difficult part of the hike, but the destination is in sight. If the path seems too difficult, you can climb up the road from one of the intersections above.
(6) Pass the tower to admire the landscape (if it is too windy, you will find this landscape again on the descent a short distance away). Descend via the road to the first hairpin bend, then take the path on the right (return of the yellow and white markings).
(7) The geology changes, with schist replacing sandstone. You will find a beautiful viewpoint on the right. Follow the path on the right, which widens as it crosses a pine forest (towards the south).
Turn left to go around the hamlet of Le Greil, a typical old farmhouse that has been renovated.
(8) Continue along the road, keep right at the three-way junction, take the path on the right, then continue along a section of road, and finally a wide path (follow the signs for Versas).
(9) Turn right at the Croix du Planas (signpost), keep left at the next three-way junction and stay on the main path as it curves left and descends. At the road, turn right towards Versas and at the cross, follow the descent that passes by the castle.
(10) Go down the path on the left just before the castle, take the road on the right for 50 metres and cut across to join the road that branches off to the left below (there is no need to go to the hiking sign at the crossroads a little further to the right; now follow the signs for Sanilhac). Keep right at the next intersection, then after 200 metres, take the path on the left and continue straight on to the Croix de Pète d'Aoure (direction sign).
(11) At the crossroads (signpost and watchtower), take the paved slanting street downhill on the left to reach a pretty bridge over the stream. Go back up and continue straight ahead along the vineyards, ignoring the signpost on the right, unless you want to make a detour (downhill, then uphill).
(12) Walk along the vineyard on your right. The path turns at a right angle and joins the road, which you follow to the right to reach La Chapeletté (small chapel on the right).
(13) Turn left to reach Sanilhac via Chemin de La Chapellette. Pass the church and return to the car park (S/E).
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