Bois de Cheix-Blanc and Château de la Chaux Montgros

Park in the car park of the Maison Forestière de la Comté, accessible from the D225, now called Maison des Espaces Naturels, at the edge of the Bois de Cheix-Blanc.
Head to the north side of the car park, opposite the house, to find information panels about the forest and the various hikes on offer.
This circular route, known locally as La Chaux Montgros, is fully marked in yellow with lines and small^PR®® signs^. The IGN map is very incomplete in the woods, so it is better to use the OSMRando map.

(S/E) Follow the direction indicated by the^PR®® sign, passing the wooden gate and then immediately turning right into the undergrowth. Walk past the picnic area until you reach a T-junction with a path and follow it to the left. A few metres before reaching the road, turn right. At the intersection of four paths, turn left. You will arrive at a track.

(1) Continue along the path opposite, then turn right at the crossroads of four paths. Pass a small pond on your left. After a left turn, you will reach a T-junction with a path.

(2) Follow it to the right. Ignore a few paths on the right and keep left at a fork in the paths. At a three-way intersection, keep right and then turn right at the next T-junction. About 200 m further on, ignore a path on the right and you will come to a T-junction at the edge of the woods. Viewpoint over the Limagne and the Chaîne des Puys.

(3) Turn right and, immediately after, at the fork in the path, go left. Stay on this path, ignoring any side paths.

(4) At a fork, continue left, passing along the edge of a large puddle, then ignore a path on the left and exit the woods. You will come to a road; follow it to the right for about 100 metres.

(5) Take the path on the left. Further on, ignore a path on the left, pass a pond on your right and you will come to a road.

(6) Follow the small road opposite. After passing a pretty house, the tarmac disappears. You will come to a road at the Château de la Chaux Montgros.

(7) Follow the road to the right and ignore a road on the right further on, after the houses. Follow the first path on the right, which leads to another road.

(8) Follow it to the right until you reach a path on the left about 200 metres further on. Follow it, back into the Bois de Cheix-Blanc. At the T-junction shortly afterwards, turn left and you will come to a five-way junction.

(9) Take the path on the left to temporarily leave the woods. Pass the first houses in Sallèdes, then turn right onto a path that leads to the edge of the woods. Continue through the undergrowth, ignoring a few paths on the right (private). You will arrive at a crossroads.

(10) Turn right to climb the slopes of Pic des Fleurides. Continue until you reach a path on the left.

(11) Follow it and then, shortly afterwards, take a path on the right. Reach the summit of Pic des Fleurides, which offers no view but has two geological information panels, one of which explains what you could see if it weren't for the trees...

(12) Continue along the path, now descending, and join a track.

(13) Follow it to the right and ignore several side paths until you reach the information panels.

(14) A short detour to the right takes you to a small arboretum.

(15) Turn back to the previous fork.

(14) Walk a few metres to the right, then follow the path to the left at the sign about soil cleaners. Pass the sign on the rocks, then follow the grassy path to the left. Further on, ignore a path to the left and, after a short descent, you will arrive at the forest house and the car park (S/E).

Difficulty: Moderate to easy, no particular difficulties. Standard hiking equipment.
Well-equipped picnic area and various relaxation areas on the grounds of the Maison des Espaces Naturels.
A few roads, albeit very quiet ones, around the castle.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

A pleasant forest, a few information panels: on the geology of the Comté region at the top of the Pic des Fleurisses, a mini arboretum at the end of the trail.
A few clear views when you come out of the undergrowth.

For more information on the Comté Forest and the Maison des Espaces Naturels, see this link

Château de la Chaux Montgros:
A cross between a medieval fortress and a large rural residence dating from the 16th century, Château de La Chaux Montgros is one of the most beautiful monuments in the Auvergne region. Today, it is known and admired for its location and its unique and original architecture.
Renovation, history and projects here