The chestnut tree of La Bitortie

In Noirétable, head south of the village towards the lake (signposted). Park in the car park (local hiking sign "le Puy de Rot"). This hike follows the route of a local hike and is marked in yellow "n°13".

(S/E) With your back to the car park and snack bar, take the road on the right and follow it until you cross the railway line.

(1) Turn left onto the path immediately after. Ignore a path that branches off to the right further on, then you will come to a small road in the hamlet of Le Bruchet, at a yellow signpost marked "Bruchet".

(2) Follow the road to the right towards Saint-Jean-la-Vêtre. At the hamlet of Les Huttes, continue left on the street, which soon becomes a path at a small stone cross. Further up, you will come to a crossroads at the Croix de Saint-Jean-la-Vêtre.

(3) Turn right onto the path and continue to the intersection with the path that climbs to the right towards the Puy de Rot antenna (812m).

(4) Leave the yellow markings (No. 13) temporarily for a round trip to the top of the hill, where you will have a small view of the surrounding area.

(4) Back at the bottom, take the path on the right for about a hundred metres. Continue straight ahead at the first intersection, then straight ahead again on the path at the second intersection just after. Then continue to the right on the road (at the cross) to the hamlet of La Bitortie. At the intersection with the path leading into the farm, note the beautiful chestnut tree on the left side of the road, which gives this hike its name.

(5) Continue along the road. Further on, before the dead end sign, turn left onto the path and cross a stream at a reservoir on the left. Continue along this path, ignoring the more or less distinct paths on either side, until you reach a road.

(6) Follow it to the left, immediately crossing the Rajasset stream. Further on, ignore a path on the right just before entering the hamlet of La Fressinie.

(7) Take the first street on the right, at a drinking trough on your left, then continue straight ahead on the path. Caution! This path is sometimes quite steep and has gullies in places. It is this path that gives this hike its "medium" rating.

(8) When you reach the hamlet of La Rivale, follow the street to the left for a few metres, then take the path on the left. Further on, cross the Rajasset stream again. You will come to a road; follow it to the left to cross the Rajasset stream and then the Anzon stream in quick succession. At the next intersection, follow the road to the right to reach the hamlet of Rivalsupt.

(9) In the hamlet, turn left onto the road that runs alongside a small stream. Cross the Lignon and then, at the next intersection, follow the road to the right. Stay on this road to cross the railway line, then the hamlet of La Planche.

(10) After passing a farm on your right, turn right onto the path that descends to the right towards the lake and picnic area. Turn left at the bottom of the tennis courts to walk along the edge of the lake on the beach and return to the car park (S/E).

No particular difficulty except for the slightly steep path mentioned in the description, which is easily manageable if you take care.

Caution! Avoid during hunting season. Also expect to encounter motorised vehicles and unpleasant odours on the paths.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

The chestnut tree in the hamlet of La Bitortie deserves to be listed as one of France's Remarkable Trees. The circumference of its trunk is impressive. Even its dead parts add elegance to its appearance. There are other beautiful chestnut trees around this farm.