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Car park at the Refrain power station. Yellow-blue markings.
(S/E) The trailhead is to the left of the power station. Climb without fear up the wooden steps that lead to the ladders with such a daunting name: they are, in fact, comfortable staircases with wide steps and sturdy handrails that are quite reassuring. At the top, there are two superb viewpoints overlooking the upper and lower parts of the valley. Head towards the wildlife information board and set off again along the path behind it. Immediately at the fork, turn right. Then, shortly afterwards, at a clearing where there is a signpost with numerous directions, turn right towards the ‘Crampoulotte’.
(1) Soon, at a signpost, ignore the path climbing to the left and continue straight on along this lovely stony path. You will soon come to a small spring flowing into a stone trough via a wooden ‘gutter’. Climb up to the left, keeping in the same direction.
(2) At a place called La Crampoulotte, walk past the house. At the back, take the path furthest to the left. Shortly afterwards, at the hiking fork, turn right towards the Vieilles Femelles viewpoint.
(3) You arrive at the Piolotte pastures. Ignore the gate and continue a little further to the left, crossing a stream via a footbridge. Immediately afterwards, at the fork, continue to the right, following the edge of the woods. About fifty metres further on, look for a sign on a moss-covered tree inviting you to turn right into the pasture, weaving your way between two trees. Cross the meadow lengthways, passing behind the isolated house. Turn slightly left into the second pasture to find a passage to the right of a gate.
You’ll reach a recently gravelled path coming down from the left. Carry straight on. Caution! Shortly afterwards, when the path turns left, the position of the sign might lead you to think you should leave the gravelled path and take a forest track branching off to the right, marked ‘private road’. Continue left along the gravelled path.
(4) You’ll reach a hiking junction. Turn right onto the Chemin des Vieilles Femelles. When you reach the meadows, turn right, following the edge of the fir trees to the corner. Then turn right onto the path leading to the Vieilles Femelles viewpoint.
(5) Return to the path and continue to the right, crossing the meadow. Shortly after entering the woods, head down to the right, passing the ruins of La Charbonnière du Haut (shaded picnic tables).
(6) About a hundred metres past the ruins, at the old well, turn left. After a viewpoint, head down towards the river along a steep path that winds its way at the foot of the rocks. Then follow the riverbank to the car park (S/E).
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Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
