Vallon de la Ribeyre

In Zanières, park at the side of the road leading from the D5 to the centre of the hamlet or in the hamlet itself, near the lodge and the "Puy de Monténard" hiking sign. Another option: the restaurant "Aux Trois Marchands" at the crossroads, on the D5, sells Saint-Nectaire cheese; you can buy some and ask permission to park in their large car park, on the D5 opposite the restaurant, which is the starting point for this route.
Please note! This hike is not marked in its entirety, nor as such.

(S/E) Cross the D5 and continue straight ahead, passing in front of the restaurant. Turn left onto the path 50 metres further on, before the cistern, at the water intake. Further on, continue straight ahead, ignoring a road that comes in from the left.

(1) At the T-junction, take the path on the left and follow it straight ahead, ignoring all the paths on either side, until you reach the D788. On the right is the "Pierre Longue" menhir.

(2) Cross the road and continue straight ahead.

(3) You will come to a crossroads with a yellow marked path, the^GR®®30(elevation 950), follow to the right towards "Pont de Ribeyre" and^GR®®. From this point, note the numerous rock formations scattered across the meadows. Then follow the^GR®® markings at each intersection: right, left, right. Cross the D145 and continue straight ahead, still on the^GR®®, to reach the Mas.

(4) Leave the GR®^® markings temporarily. Pass to the right of two wells, turn right onto Rue des Bergères, then right again at the wall decorated with white tiles to reach Place de la Liberté. Continue straight ahead, passing to the right of the old oven and an iron cross. Continue along the path that extends the road and descends, passing to the right of a calvary.

(5) At the hairpin bend, follow the^GR®® trail marked with a yellow cross on the right (the IGN map is incorrect at this point). You will come to a T-junction at a^GR®®30signpost. Turn left^, leaving the^{GR®® trail behind.} At the next intersection, turn right. Ignore the paths on the left, pass below the farm buildings, then arrive on the tarmac and very quickly at the first houses of Fohet.

(6) Continue straight ahead for about 50 metres, then turn left towards the "Chez Pyero" lodge. Turn right and head towards the church. Walk along the right-hand side of the Place des Tilleuls, go down towards the war memorial and follow the road to the left. After about 100 metres, turn left onto Rue de Courtias.

(7) Arrive at Place de Courtias and note the wash house/watering place on the right. Continue straight on Chemin du Puy de Fan. At the next intersection, turn right onto Chemin de la Croze, following the yellow sign for "Route de la Vallée de la Monne". When you reach the D145, turn left and then take the first right, following the yellow markings.

(8) Cross a path coming from the left, along the edge of La Ribeyre stream. Continue straight ahead, following the stream and ignoring the paths on either side.

(9) At a four-way crossroads, continue straight ahead, still following the stream and ignoring the paths on either side.

(10) Continue, leaving the stream on your right, towards its nearby source. At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead, ignoring three paths on the left and one on the right. Pass in front of the cistern and continue straight ahead to quickly reach the crossroads with the D5 (S/E).

Hike of moderate difficulty, rather easy, standard hiking equipment

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Photo albums here and here

La Pierre Longue. This menhir is made of semi-porphyroid granite. It is 4.75 m high. Triangular in cross-section, its top is flat. The first description of it was made by Dr Charvilhat. He estimated its weight at 9.69 tonnes, but it is more likely to be around 15 tonnes. The menhir lay on the ground for a long time. It was raised in 1991. When it was lying down, the stone was used for a long time as a resting place for funeral processions, which would place the coffin there while the priest recited the liturgical prayers, before continuing on to the church of Saint-Julien.