La Combe

La Combe, a trail that takes you through the village of Barret. The route passes through the Génisseaux district, with its high-quality spring that supplies the three communes of Reilhanette, Montbrun and Barret. On the way back, hikers follow the ancient road which, until 1875, was the only route linking Montbrun-les-Bains to Séderon. Start: Barret-de-Lioure, alt.950 m, parking lot in front of the town hall. 1. Enter the village via rue de la Bourgade, turn left directly under the soustet ("Rue du calvaire"). With your back to the church to the left. 2. Turn left again at the bottom of the calade. The path runs between the ruins to reach the Génisseau district. 3. At the crossroads (ruins of fine buildings), head south downhill. The itinerary bends to the right, taking the old path lined with drystone walls that leads into the combe. 4. At the bottom of the combe, at a fork in the road, continue straight ahead along the shady path which intersects the canal leading down from the Génisseau spring. Continue along this path past the remarkable pointed rock (the first of a series of three) to a crossroads. 5. Turn right. 6. At the next bend in the road, leave the main road and go straight ahead on a path that winds upwards towards the village. 7. Reach a crossroads as you approach the first houses, go straight on, then turn right after the wash-house onto a small tarmac road to rejoin point 2. Go back up to the left along the same route as the outward journey to the starting point.