Around the hamlet of Les Gardes

From Saint-Jacques des Blats, turn onto the main road towards the hamlet of Les Gardes. Park on the right in the car park before the bend. Parking in the hamlet is difficult, especially in summer, and is reserved for residents.

(S/E) Follow the road towards the houses and ignore the road on the left.

(1) At the fountain, turn left. Follow the road for about 250 m; it turns into a track. Stay on the main track which climbs north-east.

(2) After a steep climb and a series of hairpin bends, go through a metal gate and enter the mountain pastures.

(3) At the Gardes reservoir, the artificial reservoir for the Lioran ski resort, head left to cross the small plateau. Join a well-marked path on the other side of the plateau which winds down through the trees. You’ll arrive at a beautiful barn.

(4) Follow the pretty path that heads left, leaving the gravel track on your right, and continue to the Ruisseau de Saguissouze.

(5) Cross it via a barbed wire gate and descend to a crossroads of paths.

(6) Continue straight on, passing a beautiful house with two hikers by the gate, and follow the path to the road.

(7) Follow it to the left and, in the hamlet, join the Route du Plomb du Cantal. Turn right and return to the car park at the entrance to the hamlet (S/E).

Drinking fountain in the hamlet.

Depending on the time of year and how busy it is, it is not uncommon to see mouflons or chamois.