The Semène Valley from Lichemialle, at Saint-Pal-de-Mons

Park in the car park opposite the old Lichemialle station, near the level crossing and the end of the Dunières rail bike track.

(S/E) Leave the car park, cross the level crossing on your right, then turn left towards Saint-Victor Malescours.

(1) After 100 m, turn right onto the Chemin du Bois de la Faye, which is tarmac at first but quickly becomes a stony track. Continue down a steep slope for 600 m, then turn left onto a less steep section for another 600 m until you reach the D231 road from Lichemialle to Saint-Victor-Malescours.

(2) Cross the road and enter the village of La Faye for about 150 m. Turn left onto the path, which runs through fields at first before veering left into the woods on a steep uphill section.

(3) At the crossroads, take the path on the right for 700 m to the D45 road. Cross the road, taking the path slightly to the left. Continue for 600 m down towards the village of Le Buisson, ignoring the paths on the left, to reach the D45 again.

(4) Cross the road and take the path opposite, running alongside the riding school on the left. Almost at La Semène, opposite the gate of a renovated farm, turn onto the path on the left, which, after 400 m, runs alongside the Semène and rejoins the D45.

(5) Walk along the Semène then take the Route du Prège, leaving the bridge over the Semène on your right. Follow this road uphill for 700 m until you reach the edge of the village, crossing the bridge over the old railway line.

(6) Continue along the path for 150 m after the bridge and turn left at the fork. Continue along the path for 1 km to the village of Orcines, then a further 400 m to the Croix d’Orcines crossroads.

(7) At the crossroads, turn left onto the path through the woods, then, after 300 m, turn left again onto the path running alongside the fields. After 400 m, continue straight on at the crossroads and head towards the village of Tirvolet, then the D45.

(8) Cross the road, continue along the track opposite and, after 100 m at the fork, take the path on the right. Continue straight on for about 1 km to reach Lichemialle again.

(9) In the centre of Lichemialle, follow the D45 for 100 m, cross the old railway line, then turn right, still following the D45, to reach the car park (S/E)

Halfway along the route, beside the Semène, a picnic area provides a spot to stop for a meal whilst enjoying the river, weather permitting.