Riols, on the Notre-Dame-de-tredos route

Riols, on the Notre-Dame-de-tredos route. 7km, 2h yellow on part of route. The full route is 13km/4.30h marker yellow and takes you up to the chapel and back along two magnificent ridges which are covered in golden chestnuts and green oak.

The views are amazing up here, on to the beautiful mountains of the Somail, Espinouse and Avant monts.

The high mountains above are covered in bronze beech trees and you can even see up to the waterfalls of the Saut de Vezoles, it's just such a beautiful route. Starting from the pretty village of Riols on the D908 between Olargues and St Pons you can find plenty of parking at the starting point next to the lovely little bridge.

We left the parking and followed the D176 to a short cut that that rejoins and continues to just before another bridge where you turn off left on a little stoney track through the shaded woods. You just keep going on this beautiful path as it makes its way uphill though little oaks and chestnuts. We had a vets appointment and had to cut the long walk short this time. Can't wait to finish it!

We turned off left on the second little track down on the col above Mezouilhac. The track, although wide was rather overgrown and frequented by more wildbore that humans.

We meet the little valley road (D176E1) just after a small bridge and headed left towards the pretty hamlet of La Vignole and Riols.

The main walk continues on the ridge to thee chapel turning north and then west along the north side of the valley. Although it's an incline at the start of the walk, it's not steep and is a most lovely walk