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When you arrive in Orcival, park in the car park alongside the D27.
(S/E) Look out 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. Walk past the farm and, at the Fork in the road just after it, take the left-hand path. Further on, you’ll come out onto the D27.
(1) Cross the road and continue to the right, on the verge, for about 650 metres. Take care! Step onto the grass when cars are passing (the road is wide but not very busy if you start the walk in the morning).
(2) Turn onto the first road on the left, towards Château de Cordés. This small road, which is in fact the castle’s driveway, is lined with beautiful trees.
(3) Just before the entrance to the château, carry on, keeping to the left along the path. Go round the ruined house on the left and continue until you come to a small road.
(4) Leave theGR®® here and follow the road to the left. After a hairpin bend, cross the Sioulot and then take the first path on the left. Follow this pleasant path which runs alongside the Sioulot and, further on, one of its tributaries. Ignore a false trail on the left and continue to follow the stream, on either side.
(5) The path bends to the right and moves away from the stream, climbing up to reach the hamlet of Saint-Martin-de-Tours. Walk past some beautiful old houses.
(6) Turn left onto the small road, following the yellow markings and the signs for Puy d’Ébert. About a hundred metres further on, turn right again, following the yellow markings, to pass in front of the cemetery and its lovely little church. Carry on along this lovely path. Further on, ignore the road on the right.
(7) You’ll come to a crossroads near Gioux. Carry on along the small road opposite.
(8) When you reach the hamlet of Fléchat, do not head down to the left towards the houses but take the path on the right.
(9) Further on, at the T-junction, carry on to the right, walk past the shed and turn left straight away to head back down to the road.
(10) Then follow the road to the right to reach Rochefort-Montagne. Walk past the cemetery and do not cross the bridge; instead, continue to the right. About 250 metres further on, you’ll see a small car park on your left.
(11) At the entrance to the car park, there is an information board about a walk. Follow the direction indicated by the ‘Route du Col de Guéry’ and head towards the far end of the car park. You’ll find a small grassy path. Follow it along the stream until you 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 pointing towards the “Roche Branlante”. A little further on, ignore a path on the right.
(12) Just after this, at the fork in the road, turn left, following the yellow markings. Continue along this path in a south-south-easterly direction for about 1.2 km (on this lovely ridge path, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the peaceful pastures, the Sancy and the Puys). The path then curves to the right.
(13) About 200 metres further on, at the fork, turn left towards a hedge of tall fir trees, following the sign for “Roche Branlante”. Go behind the fir hedge and turn immediately right, still following the sign for Roche Branlante. Walk alongside a copse and continue to the crossroads. There you will find an illegible sign for this “Roche Branlante”. Turn right to discover it a few metres further on. If you dare, stand by the arrow and give it a push to make this enormous 300-tonne boulder move.
(14) Return to the crossroads and carry on straight ahead, following the direction of the “Orcival” sign. At the next T-junction, turn right and, further on, continue along this path which veers to the left to run alongside a pine forest.
(15) At a fork in the path, next to a ‘Roche Branlante’ sign pointing in the direction you’ve just come from, ignore the path on the left marked with a Yellow Cross. Turn right and, a little further on, you’ll come to a small road (the farm a little further on, on the right, sells Saint-Nectaire cheese). Follow the road to the left. A little further on, ignore the road to the right and heading back. As the road you’re following veers to the left, you’ll notice an orientation table (unfortunately a bit worn) in the field on the right. Carry on along the road.
(16) At the junction, turn right. Follow this small road as it descends and passes through the hamlet of Chamberte, where you’ll see yellow markings again. Continue along the road until you reach the hairpin bend to the right.
(17) Leave the road and head down to the left along the Way of the Cross. You’ll arrive in the village of Orcival. Head left to visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame-des-Fers. Back in the village square, which is usually bustling, go up the street on the left, heading north-east, until you reach the D27, where you’ll find the car park on your right (S/E).
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