Park in the tourist car park 50 m after the entrance to the village of Ayssènes, as the spaces in the village itself, at the Chestnut Museum, are reserved for residents.
(S/E) Enter the village and continue to the crossroads by the church.
(1) Turn right onto the path that descends, following the yellow markings towards the mill. Cross the Vernobre stream over the small bridge. Then climb up on the left-hand side to the Route des Oustals. Turn left onto this road and continue to the hamlets of Oustals-Cremats.
(2) At the cross, turn left onto the path. Continue until you reach the road at the hamlet of Le Pouget.
(3) Continue along the road for a few metres, then turn left onto the shaded path. Pass over the penstock that supplies the Pouget Power Station. Continue slightly downhill and rejoin the tarmac road at a hairpin bend above Le Truel.
(4) Turn left onto this road and continue downhill to reach Le Truel. At the crossroads by the town hall, turn left onto Rue de la Cité, cross the Tarn, keep left and you will soon come to a crossroads by the municipal campsite and lodge.
(5) Turn right onto the path and begin a steady climb through the woods, ending at the entrance to the village of La Romiguière.
Follow the markings and turn right around the village of La Romiguière to reach the viewpoint near the church.
(6) Head back down towards the main street, then don't miss the fork 50 metres further down. Turn left into the woods and walk through the undergrowth to a place called Le Roujac, which you will reach at the crossroads leading to an isolated house marked 'Private Property'.
(7) Descend along a small path, taking care as it is not well maintained and is cluttered with branches on the ground, then brambles and grass. Zigzag your way down and follow a few bends to reach the Ruisseau de Genève stream. Cross it and you will reach the hamlets of La Balmayrie. Turn left onto the D31 at La Balmayrié Basse.
(8) Turn right onto the uphill path. Pass under the power lines and reach the village of La Fosse.
(9) Cross the village, continue along the tarmac road and reach the Gare des Raspes railway station.
(10) Turn left to reach Notre-Dame du Désert.
(11) Walk around it and enjoy the site and the view. Return to the previous crossroads.
(10) Take the small path on the left indicated by the sign for Ayssènes. Take this path with caution as it is quite steep until you reach the tarmac road. Turn right and continue to the Verdalle suspension bridge over the Tarn.
(12) Turn left onto it, then follow the D510 which runs alongside the Tarn. You will reach the crossroads at the confluence of the Vernobre stream.
(13) Leave the road and take the path on the left leading up to Roc de Saint-Jean and its panoramic platform. Continue on, enter Ayssènes, pass the museum and then the town hall. Follow the street to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.
(1) Opposite, take the same route as on the way out to return to the Ayssènes tourist car park (S/E).
