Walk in the Margeride Forest

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A short, gentle walk with views of the surrounding mountains and the Monts du Cantal. This walk follows a forest track through the woods. It is accessible on foot, by mountain bike and on snowshoes.

Details

n°98876
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.70 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 489 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 505 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,514 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,016 ft
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Description of the walk

(S) From the Relais de Clavières, follow the tarmac road, which soon turns into a dirt track.
Climb through the woods, passing two reservoirs and crossing a small stream.

(1) At the first junction, turn left (signposted ‘Croix de la Donne’) and continue for 150 metres.

(2) Turn left again. The path heads north-west then turns sharply north. Follow it for 20 minutes until you reach a sign marked ‘réserve’. There is a large meadow on your right.

(3) Turn left to descend to a clearing.

(4) Here you rejoin the tarmac road; take it to the left to reach the Relais de Clavières and the starting point.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,081 ft
  2. 1 : mi 0.75 - alt. 4,423 ft
  3. 2 : mi 0.81 - alt. 4,439 ft - Turn left.
  4. 3 : mi 1.56 - alt. 4,514 ft - “Reserve” sign. Turn left
  5. 4 : mi 2.41 - alt. 4,016 ft - Clearing. Turn left onto the tarmac road.
  6. S/E : mi 2.7 - alt. 4,078 ft

Notes

Food and accommodation are available at the Relais de Clavières (booking required).

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
3.2 / 5
joemarie
joemarie

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An easy forest walk along a wide forest track.
The starting point should be moved to point 4, where it is easy to park; otherwise, you will need to stop at the Hotel-Relais (limited space). In any case, do not go past the hotel.

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elliottthau
elliottthau

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Very (too?) busy, as it’s peak mushroom-picking season (plenty of porcini mushrooms!) and the walkers are clearly getting on the nerves of some of the ‘professional foragers’

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QUEYRASLOVER
QUEYRASLOVER

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Don’t expect to be able to park near the Relais de Clavières; the area is fenced off. As for the forest track that runs alongside the tarmac road, it is very narrow and offers little space. It is therefore best to park in the clearing located before the Relais (this corresponds to the final point in the route description – where you rejoin the tarmac road to return to your car, as outlined in the suggested route).
Today, much of the dirt track is in very poor condition, having been eroded by heavy storms. Please also note that this year, motor vehicles are prohibited (due to fire risk) in wooded areas (so avoid parking on the dirt track after the Relais de Clavières – the prohibition sign is located near the buildings).

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aljosy
aljosy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A short walk that gave me the chance to use the app for the first time

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Askawawa
Askawawa

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A simple stroll through the woods. Best enjoyed, as suggested, as a post-meal walk...

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ivan30
ivan30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A short, easy walk. Ideal for families and suitable for all ages – my youngest is five and he managed it just fine.

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