The ruins of "Chastelas" and the Font Vive resurgence

The easiest and authorised route to reach the ruins of "Chastelas" and the Font Vive resurgence is via a superb ridge line above the village.

Details

69230497
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.57 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 243 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 235 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 249 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 132 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park, Route du Marronnier.

White-yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the car park, turn left and then take the lane on the right. Continue straight ahead to the church square.

(1) Take the path on the left that runs alongside the town hall car park on your left. At the next fork, turn right and join the tarmac road in the hamlet.

(2) Follow the road to the left and climb to the end of the tarmac. Turn onto the path on the right, reach the ridge and follow it to a fork.

(3) Turn left and reach a small pass after going around the hill on the left.

(4) Continue downhill to the right and join a path.

(5) Follow it to the left, at the next junction, go left and you will reach a road. Follow this to the right until you quickly find a path on the left, a few metres before a junction.

(6) Take this path and you will soon reach a fork with a cross.

White-red markings

(7) Continue left until you reach the fork at the foot of the "Chastelas" ruins.

No markings

(8) Turn left onto the paved slanting street and climb, exploring the ruins, until you reach the summit with its rock, after passing under the porch at the entrance to the castle.

(9) Then return to the fork at the foot of the ruins.

White-yellow markings

(8) Turn left, walk along the ruins on your left, then take the first path down to the right and join the Font Vive resurgence.

(10) After enjoying the site, turn around and return to the foot of the "Chastelas" ruins.

(8) Keep left and take the same path you came up to return to the car park on Route du Marronnier in Grospierres (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 132 m - Car park, Route du Marronnier
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 145 m - Church
  3. 2 : km 0.59 - alt. 164 m - Hamlet
  4. 3 : km 1.35 - alt. 212 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 1.59 - alt. 208 m - Small pass
  6. 5 : km 1.86 - alt. 182 m - Path
  7. 6 : km 2.19 - alt. 175 m - Trail - Road
  8. 7 : km 2.36 - alt. 200 m - Fork in the path with a cross
  9. 8 : km 2.58 - alt. 218 m - Foot of the "Chastelas" ruins
  10. 9 : km 2.81 - alt. 248 m - Rock
  11. 10 : km 3.52 - alt. 158 m - Résurgence de Font Vive
  12. S/E : km 6.57 - alt. 132 m - Car park, Route du Marronnier

Notes

(10) At the Font Vive resurgence, the trail that continues to the bottom of the valley is prohibited, so you must turn back.
This site is located in a Sensitive Natural Area. Swimming, littering, camping and lighting fires are strictly prohibited. This resurgence is located on private land and access is tolerated by the owners, who may prohibit access if abuse is observed.

(S/E) Toilets.

The trail passes through clayey terrain and is therefore muddy in wet weather.

Bring enough water for this hike, which can be very hot in summer.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 17324813

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked trail, beautiful view of the castle and stunning seabed.
Be sure to wear trainers or walking shoes for this walk.

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JAOZINHO
JAOZINHO

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike to do with suitable footwear (too many people were seen in flip-flops, struggling a bit). The resurgence is really nice to see. We did the loop with a GPS track, 2 hours - 6.34 km.
Make sure you take enough water with you.

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User 26089769

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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


A magnificent hike with beautiful sights to see, easily accessible even for beginners.

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Gigi et riri
Gigi et riri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views, an easy route to find the abandoned village, which is very beautiful, and the magnificent resurgence.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Hello pgerma.

Access to the resurgence is permitted, as a round trip, coming from Chastelas. Access is prohibited downstream from the resurgence.

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pgerma
pgerma

Font Vive is a protected site and is off-limits.

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HORTENSIA
HORTENSIA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, but lacking in signage after descending the pass to reach a road that will lead to the Font Vive route.

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