Around the Cirque de Freysselines

A beautiful outing in the Monédières, starting with the ascent of the knoll at May (900m) and the descent into the Puy de Chauzeix forest, leading to the Étang de Ganezande.

Details

932056
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.27 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 362 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 369 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 908 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 565 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in Beyssac near the holiday village.

(S/E) Take the wide path on the right, which is slightly uphill. Continue to the D121 road.

(1) Cross it and begin the ascent of knoll au May, following theGR®440, which is shared with theGRP® des Monédières. Reach the Puy Genoux crossroads.

(2) At the fork, continue left on theGR® and continue for 1 km. You will reach a large crossroads with signposts.

(3) Follow the signs for knoll au May along the road or turn left and cross the Corrèze moors.

(4) Follow the D128E to the summit.

(5) Admire the view, then look for a passage to rejoin a wide path. Take it on the right and go around Puy de Chauziez. Continue and turn right at the next fork.

(6) Turn left and after just a few metres, look for an unmarked path on the right through a pine forest. The descent is relatively slippery... take care. Reach the junction with theGR®440

(7) Turn right onto theGR®440, continue downhill and turn right at the four-way junction.

(8) Continue to the junction with a wide path and turn left to join the road towards Chauzeix (D121).

(9) Before the village, turn left to rejoin theGR®46and follow it on the left to the Étang de Ganezande.

(10) Go around the lake and turn right onto a wide path leading to a road. Continue to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 598 m - Near the holiday village of Beyssac
  2. 1 : km 2.27 - alt. 655 m - D121
  3. 2 : km 3.13 - alt. 745 m - Carrefour du Puy Genoux
  4. 3 : km 4.24 - alt. 861 m - Head towards "Knoll au May"
  5. 4 : km 5.12 - alt. 873 m - D128E
  6. 5 : km 5.63 - alt. 908 m - Orientation table
  7. 6 : km 7.04 - alt. 828 m - Turn left at the fork.
  8. 7 : km 7.34 - alt. 745 m - GR440
  9. 8 : km 8 - alt. 703 m - Four paths
  10. 9 : km 9.69 - alt. 618 m - GR 46
  11. 10 : km 11.05 - alt. 570 m - Ganezande Pond
  12. S/E : km 12.27 - alt. 598 m - Near the holiday village of Beyssac

Notes

Good walking shoes, rainwear.
A picnic table by the Ganezande Pond.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
smary
smary
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk on 1 January 2025 in very cold, clear weather, which allowed us to enjoy beautiful views from knoll de May. We had a little trouble finding the path from Le Puy, but otherwise the route was easy to follow.

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FEUCHOT Michel
FEUCHOT Michel
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Travelled this Sunday in very wet weather, travelled in heavy snow in February, travelled in beautiful sunshine in July last year, this nature trail does not leave me indifferent. It's a shame that the rain deprived us of the autumn colours.
Michel
PS: The yellow markings reserved for walkingand hikingtrails are missing in some places. It's best to use a map and know how to read it!

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Louve de NEROBIQUE
Louve de NEROBIQUE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike.

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cathy chateau
cathy chateau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2022
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, unfortunately on the way back through the logged forest there were very large ruts, but I think the operator will come by with a blade because it's almost impassable.
Otherwise, nothing to report.

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Kris33
Kris33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, often through forests, and stunning views at knoll au May.

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Lachassinie
Lachassinie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, beautiful scenery

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fouduroi
fouduroi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in the heart of nature, with plenty of shaded sections and a viewpoint over Le Knoll au May that is well worth the effort.
A short break at the very pleasant Ganezande pond. No particular difficulty.
Thank you, Greg.

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elisa3687
elisa3687

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike in the Monédières, beautiful oak and spruce forests, then unobstructed views of the surrounding area.
In response to comments, the path, which was cluttered with woodcutting debris, has been cleared. The path has been very well marked in yellow. There are several options for descending from Le Knoll to Le May (see map), but there is no risk of getting lost.
Enjoy your hike, everyone, and thank you to Greg19 for publishing this route.

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superdadou
superdadou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike in hot weather. Some paths damaged by forestry machinery. Once we reached the summit (5), we returned to (4) and joined (7) via the PR.

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hillwalking
hillwalking

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant hike in the Monédières mountains with varied landscapes (undergrowth, hedgerows, moors, pond). Lovely view from the summit of knoll au May. Glorious sunshine on the day.

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didoude
didoude

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Route without too many difficulties and well described

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Champsey
Champsey

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Underneath the orientation table, a temporary fence forces you to take a small detour.
A pleasant route with beautiful views at knoll au May.

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