Montagne de Villars as seen from Concœur

Park in the Concœur cemetery car park.

(S/E) Take the road that climbs up towards the plateau and continue for about 500 m. 

(1) Take the first forest track on the left and follow it straight on; after 1 km, you’ll reach the Plateau de Mantuan walking trail, which you should follow, keeping to the left.

(2) At the junction, go straight on and follow the western flank of Montagne de Villars for about 1 km, until you reach the point where the walking trail descends towards Villars-Fontaine.

(3) Take a small, inconspicuous path on your left which continues to run along the plateau without descending into the valley. The path winds past a few rocks and clearings, offering lovely views over the Meuzin valley and the villages below, before joining the hiking trail that climbs up from Villars-Fontaine. Follow it to the left for just a few metres to reach a small sign pointing to a viewpoint on the right. 

(4) Turn right here and carry on to the viewpoint, which is actually a clearing maintained for paraglider and microlight take-offs.

(5) Head up towards the top of the clearing, where a small track will take you back to the hiking trail you left at the sign. Let a path on the right lead downhill, then turn right onto the hiking trail at the next junction, and carry on straight ahead. 

(6) Turn right, walk on for a few dozen metres, then turn sharply left. About fifty metres further on, turn sharply right and you’ll reach a junction. 

(7) Leave this path, which descends straight down a steep slope towards the bottom of the valley, and turn right at a 90° angle onto another path. Descend steeply for about 500 m, pass over a small reservoir and emerge at the edge of the vineyard. 

(8) Turn sharply left onto the footpath, follow the edge of the woodland, then head down to the right towards the valley floor. Reach the junction with a path that climbs up from the D109 towards the woodland, running alongside a ditch, and turn sharply right at this point. 

(9) Head up to the left to the edge of the forest, follow the path climbing up to the right to join a hiking trail. Follow this trail in the same direction to reach the village of Concœur.

(10) Head straight ahead to reach the main road, turn left to pass in front of the church and continue straight on to reach the cemetery car park (S/E). 

Jam and red berries are on sale at the shop in the village.