The Montselgues chaos in sporty mode

There’s a small car park at the entrance to Montselgues (or on the church square, but spaces are limited).

From (1), the route is fully signposted: white-yellow, white-red and yellow-red, but the final section, after (11), is rather confusing.

(S/E) Head due south (with the church and cemetery on your right). At the Fork in the road, keep to the right and continue to a crossroads.

(1) Take the wide path straight ahead towards the Prat-Clos Farm. Go round it on the right (White-Yellow markings) and, in the middle of the pastures, reach the edge of the cliff: a beautiful stone cross.

(2) Then begin the descent (impressive, but when you’ve got to do it…), following the white-and-yellow markings. Be careful, there may be false trails: take your time. This is the ‘Path of the Dead that Kills the Living’ (see the Montselgues–Fereyrolles route)
The slope eventually levels out. You’ll arrive near Chamier and La Borne at a crossroads.

(3) Take the path leading uphill on the right. Don’t expect an easier path: it isn’t. La Borne is on the left but remains hidden.
Continue following the white-and-yellow markings until you reach a footbridge on the cliff face.

(4) Cross it using the chain for support and continue northwards to reach the entrance to Prévenchet.

(5) Take a hairpin bend to the right and begin the climb up to the plateau (white-and-yellow markings). You’ll reach the Ruisseau du Prat Neuf fairly quickly.

(6) Cross it: it’s a bit tricky, but there’s a chain on the other side. Continue the climb (beautiful views) and reach the plateau.

(7) Take the wide path on the left and head for the Col de Teste Rouge.

(8) Cross the small road and take the path opposite (slightly to the right). Follow this path, heading broadly north, for 2 km until you reach the junction with the^GR®®4.

(9) Take the^GR®® (and^GRP®® Tour de la Montagne Ardéchoise) on the right towards La Borie. Pass close to the Ferme des Cayres and walk through the pastures.
Before reaching Petit Paris, cross the granite boulder field and come to a wider path.

(10) Follow it for a few metres to the right, then take a path on the left (marked with red and white^{GR®® signs}) to reach Petit Paris. Stay on the^GR®® and continue to La Borie. You’ll come to a small road; follow it to the left for about a hundred metres until you reach a Fork in the road.

(11) Turn right onto a wide path marked^GRP®® (yellow-red markings). Reach a ford (footbridge on the right) and continue south-southeast, following the yellow-red markings (which are less frequent) where possible.

(12) Just before Montselgues, turn right towards a barn before turning left onto a road. Follow it to the left. Take the street on the right and return to the car park by following the yellow arrows for the Ardéchoise. (S/E).

We strongly recommend wearing good walking shoes and using at least one walking stick.

I’d describe the first part of this walk as quite challenging: there’s a significant elevation gain and the descent is difficult.

(4) Crossing the footbridge may be difficult for those prone to vertigo

If you start early (to avoid the heat, especially on the plateau), this walk can be completed in the morning.
You can then enjoy a meal at the Auberge de l'Aure, near the church. Tel: 04 75 39 98 45 or 06 71 37 37 08 (remember to book!)