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The term "Viroinval" is a variant of "vallée du Viroin", the most important river in the municipality. It does not therefore refer to a specific location. Our hike starts in Nismes, the administrative centre of Viroinval.
Parking is available in the streets near the church in Nismes.
(S/E) With your back to the church, take the road opposite, to the right of the Eau Noire, towards the Tourist Office. Pass it and, further on, turn left into Rue d'Avignon to see the resurgence and the cave. Retrace your steps. Turn left and climb the steps of the Bailli's house. At the end of the forecourt, turn left. Go up the street and, when you reach the tower, go up the stairs on your left. At the fork, turn left and go up the stairs again. At the end of the stairs, continue climbing. At the next fork, turn left to discover the view of Nismes. Retrace your steps and turn left. At the fork, turn right.
(1) At the forest path on the left, continue straight ahead. At the crossroads, you will see benches and Le Matricolo on your right.
(2) Return to the crossroads and take the path opposite (the path that was on your left when you arrived). At the end of the path, turn right and then take the next path on the left. At the fork, follow the path on the left. When you reach the stairs, go down them. At the bottom, you will arrive at the road with a calvary on your right. Continue straight ahead to cross the bridge over the Eau Noire.
(3) Continue along the road opposite. At the end, turn left, then take the first road on the right (Rue Orgeveau). Go uphill. Take the path between two new buildings, after number 14. A lamppost marks the entrance. Continue along the path on the left, passing behind the gardens. At the top, turn left. A path joins you on your right; continue straight ahead.
At the end of the woods, turn right onto the stony path. At the end of this path is the Fondry des Chiens. To enter the Fondry, go around to the right, staying as close as possible to the Fondry. As you descend towards the entrance, you will see a narrower Fondry on your right, just behind the barriers.
(4) At the same height as these, on your left, is the entrance to the Fondry des Chiens. Go in to explore the cavities and caves, but do not climb! Come back out and turn left. Follow the Fondry and, at the end, take the path downhill on your right. Follow the fence on your right. Join a path and turn right.
(5) Go through the gate and follow the path. Follow the hedge and go up towards Les Abannets.
(6) Turn right. Keep to the right when you come to a path and then another. Go under the trees. Follow the path to the viewpoint.
(7) To reach Roche Trouée, look for the path descending to your left but to the right of the rocks and descend carefully. The path is very difficult, especially if it has rained, and almost invisible if the vegetation is dense. Find the opening and then climb back up. Take the same path as on the way there until you reach the first fork. Turn right. Keep right until you reach the bottom of La Tienne (hill). Turn left and pass a group of rocks. Follow the fence and then climb back up the path with your back to the road and alongside the woods.
(6) At the crossroads, ignore the path entering the forest and continue straight ahead on the opposite route from the outward journey to reach the crossroads at the barrier.
(5) Immediately after the barrier, take the path on your right. Follow the fence, then turn left and head towards the edge of the woods. With the trees on your right and the limestone lawn on your left, climb uphill. At the top, follow the path furthest to the right, at the edge of the woods. Climb up to the road.
(8) Turn right. At the intersection, turn left and continue right at the fork. Stay on the path until you reach Roche aux Faucons. Continue to the viewpoint.
(9) From the Roche aux Faucons viewpoint, retrace your steps to the forest path and continue along it, now on your right. Follow this path to the T-junction.
(10) Go down the path on your right. Go down to the railway tracks, using the stairs if you wish.
(11) Cross with caution, as this line is still in use for steam trains. Go down the steps and follow the path along the Viroin. It quickly moves away from the river and, further on, runs alongside meadows at the edge of the woods. Don't worry about the paths that join you, stay on the main path and leave the woods.
(12) At the crossroads on the right, cross the bridge and turn left. After the rocky outcrop and the two stone houses next to each other, turn right onto the path running alongside the gable. Then turn right onto the path leading up to the castle ruins.
(13) At the top, turn right to see the ruins. Be careful not to climb on them. Retrace your steps and continue along the path on your right. At the fork, turn left. Pass the Haute Roche viewpoint.
(14) Take the path again and continue straight ahead at the crossroads and the next one too. Then, at the start of the rocks, you have two choices: either take the path down to the bottom of the rocks (a tricky passage) and then pass below the climbing site, or take the path to the right of the rocks and follow them, keeping to your left, to pass between two rocky outcrops and descend after the climbing site. Continue down the path on the right. At the river, turn right and return to the bridge, which you cross again.
(12) At the end, turn right and take the right at the barrier. Further down, turn left. Stay on the forest track, which then becomes a path. At the railway line, take the path on the left just before the river bridge and its red railing.
(15) Cross the railway line with caution and continue straight ahead. At the fork, turn right and then left at the next fork. Go uphill. At the forest track, turn right. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead and turn left at the fork.
(16) At the paved road, turn right and immediately turn onto the leftmost path.
Follow the path to the stairs, go down them, cross the bridge and return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Difficult 
Association / Club / Walk leader
