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When you arrive in Orcival, park in the car park on the edge of the D27.
(S/E) Look for the red and white markings ofthe GR®441. Cross the D27 and take the small road opposite that leads up to the Notre-Dame Chapel. Turn left onto a small road and continue to the right. Pass in front of the farm and, at the fork just after, continue to the left. Further on, you will come to the D27.
(1) Cross and continue to the right, on the hard shoulder, for about 650 metres. Be careful! Move onto the grass when cars pass (the road is wide but not very busy if you start the hike in the morning).
(2) Turn onto the first road on the left, towards Château de Cordés. This small road, which is actually the castle driveway, is lined with beautiful trees.
(3) Shortly before the entrance to the château, continue along the path, keeping to the left. Go around the ruined house on the left and continue until you reach a small road.
(4) Leave theGR® here and follow the road to the left. After a hairpin bend, cross the Sioulot and turn onto the first path on the left. Follow this pleasant path which runs alongside the Sioulot and then, further on, one of its tributaries. Ignore a false start to the path on the left and continue to follow the stream on either side.
(5) The path turns right and moves away from the stream, climbing up to the hamlet of Saint-Martin-de-Tours. Pass between beautiful old houses.
(6) Turn left onto the small road, following the yellow markings and the direction of Puy d'Ébert. After about 100 metres, turn right again, following the yellow markings, to pass in front of the cemetery and its beautiful little church. Continue along this lovely path. Further on, ignore the road on the right.
(7) You will come to a crossroads near Gioux. Continue along the small road opposite.
(8) When you reach the hamlet of Fléchat, do not turn left down towards the houses, but take the path on the right.
(9) Further on, at the T-junction, continue to the right, pass in front of the shed and immediately turn left to go back down to the road.
(10) Then follow the road to the right to reach Rochefort-Montagne. Pass the cemetery and do not take the bridge, but continue to the right. About 250 metres further on, you will see a small car park on your left.
(11) At the entrance to the car park, there is an information sign about a hike. Follow the direction indicated by the Route du Col de Guéry and head towards the end of the car park. You will find a small grassy path. Follow it along the stream to reach the road, with the bridge on your left. Follow the road to the right for a few dozen metres, then take the path on the left, following the sign for "Roche Branlante". Further on, ignore a path on the right.
(12) Immediately after, at the fork, turn left and follow the yellow markings. Continue along this path in a south-south-easterly direction for about 1.2 km (this beautiful ridge path offers stunning views of the peaceful pastures, the Sancy and the puys). The path then turns right.
(13) About 200 metres further on, at the fork, turn left towards a hedge of tall fir trees, following the direction of "Roche Branlante". Go behind the fir tree barrier and immediately turn right, still following the direction of Roche Branlante. Walk along a copse and continue to the crossroads. There you will find an illegible sign for Roche Branlante. Turn right to discover it a few metres further on. If you dare, stand at the arrow and push to move this enormous 300-tonne block.
(14) Return to the crossroads and continue straight ahead, following the sign for "Orcival". At the next T-junction, turn right and, further on, continue along this path which veers to the left and runs alongside a pine forest.
(15) At a fork in the road, at a sign for "Roche Branlante" (Rocking Rock) indicating the direction you have just come from, ignore the path on the left marked with a yellow cross. Turn right and you will come to a small road (the farm further on the right sells Saint-Nectaire cheese). Follow the road to the left. Further on, ignore the road to the right and back. As the road you are following veers to the left, you will see an orientation table (unfortunately a little worn) in the field on the right. Continue along the road.
(16) At the crossroads, turn right. Follow this small road downhill and through the hamlet of Chamberte, where you will find yellow markings. Continue along the road until you reach a hairpin bend on the right.
(17) Leave the road and turn left down the Way of the Cross. You will arrive in the village of Orcival. Turn left to visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame-des-Fers. Back in the village square, which is usually bustling with activity, go up the street on the left, heading north-east, to reach the D27 and find the car park on your right (S/E).
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