Around the hamlet of Les Gardes

A lovely route starting from the hamlet of Les Gardes with beautiful views of the Arpon du Diable, the cable car arrival point and the Plomb du Cantal. The route passes through the summer pastures and above the Lioran resort. Watch out for cows in summer and autumn.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.38 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,339 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,332 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,793 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,691 ft

Description of the walk

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).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,691 ft - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet
  2. 1 : mi 0.11 - alt. 3,740 ft - Fountain
  3. 2 : mi 1.46 - alt. 4,557 ft - Metal barrier
  4. 3 : mi 1.61 - alt. 4,682 ft - Les Gardes reservoir
  5. 4 : mi 2.85 - alt. 3,894 ft - Barn
  6. 5 : mi 3.31 - alt. 3,973 ft - Stream of - Saguissouze (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Cère
  7. 6 : mi 3.95 - alt. 3,878 ft - Crossroads of paths
  8. 7 : mi 4.23 - alt. 3,747 ft - Road junction
  9. S/E : mi 4.38 - alt. 3,691 ft - Car park at the entrance to the hamlet

Notes

Drinking fountain in the hamlet.

Worth a visit

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

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
User 28753667

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb is mainly through the forest. Then you cross the plateau, although it’s very poorly signposted. The path isn’t clearly visible. In itself, it’s not a big deal as you can walk anywhere, but still.
During the descent through the forest, you have to cross a small stream, but just before it there are electric fences running the whole length. You can get under them by kneeling down, but it’s still not right.
A very nice hike, quick and efficient when you only have half a day.
Took 2½ hours

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