The Cousin Valley starting from Magny

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This relaxing route, which is entirely shaded except between points (6) and (7) (approx. 600 m), offers a pleasant way to follow the course of the river and discover a fly-fishing route.

Details

n°12010042
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.67 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 604 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 587 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 991 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 692 ft
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Photos

rock, water and bridge
The Cousin

Description of the walk

Access by car is from Magny via the D75, heading towards Moulin Cadoux. Once you reach the mill, cross the bridge over the Cousin and park in the small car park immediately on the right. Please note: maximum three cars!

(S/E) Take the path in front of you that runs alongside the Cousin on your right. Continue along this very shaded path, staying as close to the river as possible; ignore the various paths branching off to the left.

(1) After crossing the first bridge, turn left and walk upstream for about 700 m along a stream that flows into the Cousin. This section is a little more technical but nonetheless very pleasant.

(2) Turn back so as not to stray too far from the main route and return to the bridge.

(1) Head left towards thesecond bridge and cross it.

(3) At the end of the bridge, turn left and continue to follow the Cousin as closely as possible: ignore the various paths branching off to the right.

(4) Turn left and continue along the Cousin, which is on your left.

(5) Carry on, keeping the river on your left.

(6) When you reach the hamlet of Méluzien, take thefirst road on the right, then thefirst road on the right again (Route de Magny) for about 250 m, then take the path on the right which climbs through the fields for about 600 m. Enter the woods.

(7) Turn right and continue through the woods until you reach a crossroads.

(8) Turn right and take the path leading back down towards the river.

(9) Continue straight on towards the river (the paths marked on the map are no longer maintained). Return to the fork you passed on the way out.

(5) Turn left to take the path you took on the way out, but in the opposite direction.

(4) Take the forest track opposite, which climbs steeply and is not yet marked on the IGN map.

(10) Continue straight ahead.

(11) Take the path on the right and follow it to the finish (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 827 ft - Cadoux Mill Bridge - Le Cousin (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 1.29 - alt. 791 ft - T-junction (return) to head up the stream
  3. 2 : mi 1.71 - alt. 928 ft - Turn back
  4. 3 : mi 2.16 - alt. 787 ft - Turn left
  5. 4 : mi 2.91 - alt. 745 ft - Common junction: Out and back
  6. 5 : mi 3.16 - alt. 735 ft - Common junction: Out and back
  7. 6 : mi 3.69 - alt. 692 ft - Méluzien hamlet
  8. 7 : mi 4.19 - alt. 902 ft - To the right
  9. 8 : mi 4.48 - alt. 873 ft - To the right
  10. 9 : mi 4.77 - alt. 758 ft - Descent to the river
  11. 10 : mi 5.3 - alt. 886 ft - Uphill path
  12. 11 : mi 5.76 - alt. 978 ft - Turn right towards the river
  13. S/E : mi 6.67 - alt. 827 ft - Pont du Moulin Cadou - Le Cousin (rivière)

Notes

Make sure you have at least walking poles and hiking boots, as the path runs largely alongside the river and numerous springs can make it muddy in various places.

Warning: During heavy rain, flooding of the Cousin river may render the path impassable or dangerous.

Many of the paths marked on the map are no longer maintained; others have been created. It is advisable to use the GPS route.

Worth a visit

Between (4) and (5): remains of an old mill.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 475568

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Recommended on hot days

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Ma Vidal
Ma Vidal

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, shaded walk along the water’s edge.
Please be careful between point 1 and point 2 as there are numerous fallen trees, including one that you have to climb over.
Thanks for the GPS advice; it makes following the route easier as some of the signposts are missing or incorrect.
A refreshing hike, between the water and the rocks, with a real sense of being in the mountains – definitely worth doing again.

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Happy Walker
Happy Walker

Hello Colette G.
Actually, it is from this point that I recommend turning back so as not to stray too far from the main route.
Thank you for your comment. I have just corrected the description.

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Colette G.
Colette G.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
The information in point 2:
(2) The path enters private property. You must turn back and return to the bridge.
is incorrect; there is no private property. Furthermore, a sign suggests continuing along the route.

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Happy Walker
Happy Walker
• Edited:

Hello

As mentioned in the hike description, the signposting—especially on the return leg—is missing and the maps are out of date. That’s why I recommend following the route on your smartphone. It would have spared you the 45° inclines
For your information, you can take a shortcut between points 8 and 11, which allows you to stay at a higher elevation before the final descent.

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Stepin95
Stepin95

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Walk on 29 May 2022
Overall, the walk is interesting, especially from the start (Moulin Cadoux) to Méluzien.
You simply follow the banks of ‘Le Cousin’, but it’s lovely and shaded. Beautiful meandering sections of the river (reserved for fly fishing). As for the route, I wouldn’t recommend it for young children or people who have difficulty walking.
The description is accurate, and the route, although stony in places and muddy depending on the weather, is enjoyable. This hike is indeed best undertaken with suitable footwear and walking poles for the ascents!
Up to Méluzien, it’s very easy, but after the village, the route takes you onto a plateau that’s supposed to lead you back to the original path. In fact, you have to make a circular route. There are absolutely no markings, and you’re left to your own devices! No more path, you get lost in the forest—in short, you have to take the initiative (descending a 45° slope, using a GPS, etc.) – in short, you have to fend for yourself. When you find the path again (phew!), you need to take the second steep path that climbs up to the left, rejoining the outbound route. That said, this pleasant path leading back to the starting point, apart from the walk itself, offers nothing and is far from the river, so you can do without it.
Not very busy (only came across 4 people) despite the good weather.
We saw very few signposts, only as far as the bridge; after that, nothing.
It’s a lovely nature walk. I’d only recommend the return trip from Moulin Cadoux to Méluzien.

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jma125657
jma125657

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
A very pleasant walk to enjoy with the fishermen during the fishing season; make sure you wear sturdy shoes in wet weather as some sections can be muddy or slippery due to the stones

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