The Moulin des Gouttes route

A short walk starting from the village of Fontanès, offering a beautiful view at the highest point of the Sept Pins. The passage through the woods is very pleasant.

Details

443942
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 217 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 211 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 895 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 745 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Château Park car park (in the centre of the village).

(S/E) Cross the village, turning right at the town hall, cross the D3 and take Rue du Sépulcre opposite. You will reach the intersection with the old trimmings factory on your left.

(1) Turn left onto Chemin des Sept Pins. Continue to the water tower, which is also the highest point of Les Sept Pins. Enjoy the beautiful view of Pilat, the Mézenc mountain range and the Alps on a clear day.

(2) Continue straight ahead towards Les Verchères, leaving Fontfroide on your left and arriving at the crossroads of the same name.

(3) Leave the tarmac road and take the dirt track straight ahead. At an elevation of 826 metres, you will reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn right onto the tarmac road, pass the Carichon farm and ignore the access road to La Bâtie on your left. You will soon reach another intersection.

(5) Take the dirt track on the left and then rejoin the track coming from the hamlet of Le Merle. Follow this track to the left and continue straight ahead, descending to the Moulin des Gouttes ponds.

(6) After the pond on the right, take the path on the left and walk along the second pond. Continue to the next crossroads, then turn right towards the hamlet of Basson.

(7) Go around the hamlet by turning right and continue along the path until you reach another intersection. Go up opposite towards Le Fléchat, continue along the tarmac road until you reach the Croix des Hommes Morts (at the edge of the D6).

(8) Pass in front of the cross and take the path opposite to Grande Grange. At the first intersection, turn right to pass behind the farm and reach a crossroads.

(9) Turn left, cross a small road and reach the junction of the circular.

(1) Retrace your steps, turning left to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 854 m - Château Park car park
  2. 1 : km 0.35 - alt. 863 m - Chemin des Sept Pins
  3. 2 : km 0.83 - alt. 895 m - Septs Pins
  4. 3 : km 1.64 - alt. 851 m - Fontfroide crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.61 - alt. 827 m - Intersection at elevation 826
  6. 5 : km 3.27 - alt. 824 m - Dirt track on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.08 - alt. 747 m - Moulin des Gouttes
  8. 7 : km 4.78 - alt. 800 m - Basson
  9. 8 : km 6.69 - alt. 845 m - Croix des Hommes Morts
  10. 9 : km 7.29 - alt. 868 m - Fontchevalier
  11. S/E : km 8.12 - alt. 854 m - Château Park car park

Worth a visit

Start/finish: Château park (picnics prohibited) with its dovecote and beautiful view of the Forez plain.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Chris43
Chris43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through rolling countryside and a few wooded areas. No significant elevation changes. Description not used thanks to the app.
Thank you.

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cacounet42
cacounet42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk in the countryside where, on a clear day, you can see the Alps
No major difficulties, suitable for families.
Highly recommended

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Voyet
Voyet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk with views of the Alps when the weather is clear and there is no fog.

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Mado42
Mado42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, varied walk with beautiful views and wooded sections.

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LolitaC
LolitaC

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb panorama! A peaceful and easy walk.

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Imalipusram119
Imalipusram119

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your outdoor hike and a short walk through the woods.
Yes, there was an error in the map and duration; it took us 2 hours.

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Larif
Larif

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful country walk with stunning views of the Alps, Pilat and Central Massif.
The guidebook is wrong about the time and elevation gain. It took us 2 hours.

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guy pagat
guy pagat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We extended the trip by climbing the slopes. The whole trip took four hours, including a break for lunch. A magnificent walk in the gentle surroundings of the Monts du Lyonnais.

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DIDIER Jean Paul
DIDIER Jean Paul

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had a lovely hike that took us 2 hours and 45 minutes. I think there is an error in the elevation details listed on the information sheet.
This hike offers beautiful panoramic views. Thank you for recommending it to us.

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balladapied
balladapied

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Good weather: magnificent panoramic views of the Alps and Pilat Massif, Mont Mézenc, etc.

Much shorter duration as well.

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Diverse panorama on a hilly route. View of the Pilat massif at Mont Mézenc, despite a slight haze.
A pleasant route and, like Sylviane, I can confirm that it is shorter than advertised.
A pretty village to explore. I was pleasantly surprised by the castle grounds, which I explored via a tree-lined path, and by the discovery of a superb dovecote.

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liliane.clarens
liliane.clarens
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Diverse panorama on a hilly route. View of the Pilat Massif at Mont Mézenc, despite a slight haze.
A pleasant route, and I agree with Sylviane that it is shorter than expected.
A pretty village to explore. I was pleasantly surprised by the castle grounds, which I explored via a tree-lined path, and by the discovery of a superb dovecote.
Thank you to the author for this wonderful day.
Best regards, Ly

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Sylviane C1.
Sylviane C1.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Interesting route, the only downside to the description is probably an error regarding the duration, which is shorter.

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