Around the ponds near Flayat

During this walk, you will discover some of the many ponds in the commune of Flayat.
You are in a mushroom-rich area and the landscape is spectacular in autumn when the trees are ablaze with colour and reflected in the ponds.

Details

2750701
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.87 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 52 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 59 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 787 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 754 m

Photos

Description of the walk

To get to the starting point, in Flayat take the road towards Étang de l'Écluse then park near the junction of the Étang de l'Écluse road and the road that continues towards Boulareix.

(S/E) Head towards Étang de l'Écluse by road, then cross the dyke of this pond and then that of Étang de la Brivonne and continue to a road.

(1) Once on the road, turn left for a few metres, then take the path on the right that leads into the woods.

(2) At the road, turn right and cross the small village of Gandouly and continue along the road.

(3) At the next crossroads, turn right and cross Noudière.

(4) At the end of the hamlet, turn left, passing the last houses, then take the first path on the right.

(5) Continue along the path that climbs up to Étang Neuf.

(6) Cross the stream over the small wooden bridge and continue straight ahead until you reach the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 784 m - Road towards the lock
  2. 1 : km 2.08 - alt. 783 m - Turn left onto the road.
  3. 2 : km 3.4 - alt. 772 m - Turn right at the road.
  4. 3 : km 4.4 - alt. 780 m - Turn right at the crossroads.
  5. 4 : km 4.83 - alt. 769 m - Road on the left
  6. 5 : km 5.38 - alt. 764 m - Path on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.99 - alt. 755 m - Small wooden bridge
  8. S/E : km 6.87 - alt. 784 m - Road towards the lock

Notes

This route is marked in yellow, and arrow signs saying "Autour des Étangs 5" have been added at certain strategic crossroads.

This hike is also suitable for mountain biking and horse riding.

Worth a visit

If you have a little time, take a detour to the Chapelle Saint-Michel clearing.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 2941255

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route in the shade with magnificent paths and stunning trees.

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User 26363471

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route with several ponds. The hike takes place on roads, paths and trails. It is enjoyable in summer as you are often sheltered by the forest.
You definitely need to use the app as there are no signposts along the route.
There is a slightly tricky section near a water source where we saw lots of frogs.

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User 12081216

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Many quiet roads. The ponds are classic, some small paths are nice, as are the small hamlets.

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Sophie Zeil
Sophie Zeil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet and varied

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Lolubuss
Lolubuss

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy walk through varied and beautiful landscapes.

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Flytox
Flytox
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk.

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Serge_Augusta
Serge_Augusta
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An excellent short hike, very easy to do even with children.
Beautiful scenery dotted with ponds and picturesque villages.
It's a very beautiful place.
Worth doing again in spring when nature comes back to life.

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lofrom
lofrom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, suitable for December. Worth repeating.

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hilaire.vachon
hilaire.vachon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and easy short walk.

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Mnoelle
Mnoelle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike through forests and ponds. You pass through charming villages in Creuse with beautiful stone houses...
Almost like Canada...

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Martial7887
Martial7887

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The short hike is very pleasant.
In some sections, the signposting is not very clear.
Otherwise, the route is pleasant and the various ponds are very charming.

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Pit
Pit

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short walk.
We didn't meet any other hikers, but there must have been one ahead of us as there was a car parked at the start (car park along the road, few spaces).
From the road between Gandouli and Noudières.

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