The spring trail in Collonges-la-Rouge

This path through the hills above Collonges shows you how the village was supplied with water until the mid-20th century. Along this circuit, there are several points of historical interest with audio commentary available via audio terminals.

Details

10293034
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.78 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 260 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 262 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 418 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 206 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is opposite the old railway station (listen to no. 1).

(S/E) Head south-east on the D38 for 300 metres, then turn left towards Moulin de Valane.

(1) Turn left at the mill (listen to recording no. 2). After 100 metres, go around the house on the left, then follow the well-marked path northwards to Chemin des Naudoux. Turn left onto this path (GR® de Pays for 300 metres), then ford the river (listen to recording no. 3).

(2) Turn right, leave theGR® de Pays, and head north. On the right, you will see a small waterfall.

(3) Ford the small stream and continue straight ahead up the path. At the intersection with the stonemasons' farm, you will find audio point 4. You can make a round trip to the ruins of the farm (100 m).

(4) At the junction with the Way of St James, turn left towards the south (listening point no. 5).

(5) Turn left onto the road towards Collonges, then after 150 m, turn right onto the path. You are now on the Voie de Rocamadour.

(6) Listen to track 6. Continue along the path towards the south. Pass in front of the Château du Martret. At the intersection with the Route de Hautefort, cross it to take Rue de la Barrière, then after 40 metres, turn left and after 120 metres, turn left again to reach the old station (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 233 m - Old railway station
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 207 m - Moulin de Valane
  3. 2 : km 1.53 - alt. 257 m - Les Naudoux
  4. 3 : km 2.16 - alt. 285 m - Tirecourt
  5. 4 : km 3.74 - alt. 395 m - The watering hole
  6. 5 : km 4.41 - alt. 414 m - The Coast
  7. 6 : km 4.78 - alt. 371 m - The ruins
  8. S/E : km 5.78 - alt. 233 m - Old railway station

Notes

The circuit is largely marked in yellow.
There are two paid car parks at Chaulet and the school, and a free grass car park opposite the Marchadial motorhome area.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Elisabeth62
Elisabeth62

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike on a beautiful, sunny Friday—very pleasant!
The circular is mainly in the forest, which must be very pleasant on hot days! The path was easy to walk on, but I fear that in winter it may be muddy or slippery and some sections may be tricky. But in my case, it was perfect!
I really enjoyed the walk in this beautiful forest. It was a bit challenging with some small climbs, but still doable for a girl from the north who is used to flat terrain! My dog loved the beginning because we followed the stream and he was able to take a dip. The information boards with explanations via mobile phone are really interesting. I didn't meet anyone else during the walk (out of season).

Machine-translated

Luciani Marie jo
Luciani Marie jo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This tour is very interesting because of its listening points, which share moments of local history. The route is accessible, varied and often shaded.
Thanks to the designer. Highly recommended!

Machine-translated

muttie
muttie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, well-marked hike

Machine-translated

lecorral
lecorral

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the cool air, surrounded by greenery, along an unreal red path the colour of the local stone, with a pretty waterfall and the hidden ruins of the stonemasons.
A welcome break to recharge your batteries after the crowds in Collonges-la-Rouge

Machine-translated

bf17
bf17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a very pleasant short circuit, the slopes are manageable without rushing. In hot weather, you can enjoy the cool shade under the trees. The ruins of the stonemasons are surreal in this wooded setting.
worth doing just for the silence, the birdsong and the gurgling of the water on the first part

Machine-translated

Gabriel Schumacher
Gabriel Schumacher

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Numerous small resurgences along the path, particularly in the first section, make the route muddy and slippery, which detracts from the charm of this hike.
Best done in summer during the dry season.

Machine-translated

Babs Sirène
Babs Sirène
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The circuit is a little difficult in the first half due to the steep incline. But if you take your time, it's perfectly doable.
There are few viewpoints as it is all in the undergrowth, but it is very pleasant after visiting Collonges-la-Rouge, especially when the weather is warm.
Be careful, as many areas are muddy, slippery or even flooded when it has rained in the previous days. We were unable to make the round trip to the waterfall because the last part of the path was a real stream.

Machine-translated

Pat_Vosges
Pat_Vosges

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route above Collonges. A red trail matching the colour of the local rock, a particularly wild forest and beautiful views. There are numerous springs and the site once had many mills.

Machine-translated

visorandofredo
visorandofredo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful route mainly through forest, with llamas adding a touch of the exotic!

Machine-translated

cheyou.p
cheyou.p

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route running alongside a stream in the woods. It is nice and cool, especially in summer and when the weather is hot. There is a lovely village nearby.

Machine-translated

Anne/Stéphane 31
Anne/Stéphane 31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, especially the round trip to the waterfall.

Machine-translated

Misoba
Misoba

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At this time of year, it's a very beautiful hike that truly lives up to its name!
There's a good elevation gain... it goes up and down and ends beautifully above Collonges.
The forest is very beautiful, even if you can see that it is suffering... lots of dead trees.

Machine-translated

Lilou24660
Lilou24660

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

In fact, there is only a small section at the beginning of the hike where you can see streams, after that it is a beautiful, pleasant walk through the woods. Given the name of the hike, "sentier des sources" (spring trail), I thought we would be walking more along the water....

Machine-translated

TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, mainly through woodland, with significant elevation changes. Best undertaken in dry weather with experienced hikers.

Machine-translated

chtidu29
chtidu29

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with magnificent weather

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.