Le Sentier des vaches

This trail is very secluded—even secret. From the top of the village of Ristolas, follow the forest road as it winds into the woods toward the Ségure valley. At the third hairpin turn, take the trail (marked in yellow) on the left as you round the bend. In the cool shade of the larch trees, the path overlooks the village on the north-facing slope, following the contour line. Depending on the time of year, beautiful wildflowers adorn the walk. The trail gently descends toward La Monta, a “martyred” hamlet ravaged by wars, fires, and floods, of which almost nothing remains except for the chapel and the refuge—a family home built of old stone, steeped in authenticity. There’s plenty of life at the campground, too, with its open-air café atmosphere and guaranteed friendliness. It’s a remote spot in the heart of nature where you can take a break before heading back along the flat path beside the Guil River to the starting point. In spring and fall, conditions are changeable; even without snow, the trail can be icy. Therefore, in the mountains, the rule of thumb is to “go out well-equipped.” In my backpack, I slip in or clip on: crampons and trekking poles. In winter, the essentials are: snowshoes, poles, gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and… a survival blanket! Experience is key, and knowing when to turn back is sometimes better than taking risks. And for those new to the mountains, we recommend hiring a professional! Before heading out, I check the Météo France Montagnes weather reports and the BERA (avalanche and risk alerts).