Circular route on the heights of Argentat

In Neuville, park in the small car park behind the church.

Many of the paths used are not shown on any map or are poorly marked. You will need to rely on my GPS track. This is a route featured in the "Bol d'air" leaflet from the Argentat Tourist Office.

Yellow markings topped with a "15" are supposed to be visible throughout the route... normally. However, it is better to rely on this description and/or route as the markings are only well maintained at the start and end of the route.
There are variations that can be misleading.

(S/E) Look for the "Le Puy Brezou" hiking sign near the car park. This is a short variation of our hike. Facing this sign, take the road on the right and walk along the cemetery.

(1) At the T-junction with another road, continue to the right, following our yellow markings with a "15" on top, as well as mountain bike markings nos. 11 and 12, which you should also follow until otherwise indicated. Take a path on the left, then another on the left 50 metres further on. Walk through the undergrowth, then across a large deforested area (recently in June 2021). Always follow the clear markings, ignoring any side paths.

(2) At an intersection with a path, turn right. Further on, you will see a beautiful cherry tree on your left, then a beautiful birch tree on your right. At the next intersection (logging area), our markings go in two different directions (alternative: sign for "Le Puy Brezou via Saint-Hilaire"). Follow the path to the right (also marked for mountain biking). You will come to a small road.

(3) Leave the mountain bike markings and follow our markings to the right on a small road that quickly turns into a path, then continue straight ahead. You will reach a crossroads with three roads, at a sign for "Sente aux cochons". Our markings begin to become more discreet but are still visible if you look carefully. Follow the road to the left. Cross the hamlet of Le Pilou. Further on, at a fork in the road, leave the D169 to the right towards Ménoire and take the small road on the left.

(4) At the entrance to a field on the left, turn onto a grassy path which further on becomes a sunken lane. You will come to a road; follow it to the right (no markings). At the next intersection with a path, you will find our markings again, but they go in two different directions: take the path on the right. Cross a stream and you will come out onto a road.

(5) Follow it to the left (no markings) to reach the village of Ménoire. Further on, continue straight ahead on the road despite a yellow cross, then find our markings at a house on the right. You will arrive at a wider road with signs on the other side indicating directions including: Fontaine Saint-Martial, 12th-14th century church, Sully-era lime tree (which unfortunately no longer exists!). Our markings have disappeared again.

Cross the road and walk a few steps to the opposite side, then turn right onto a grassy path for a short walk to the fountain and back. On your return, continue along the street opposite, which is closed to large vehicles. Further on, pass the church and hiking signs on your left. At the next intersection, continue straight ahead despite the yellow cross and you will arrive at the end of the street, facing a beautiful stone cross.

(6) Turn left onto Chemin de Gourlastine and follow the direction indicated by a small sign for "Cascades de Gourlastine". At a fork in the road, follow the direction of the waterfalls to the left. You may notice the very old markings further on. Then, at an intersection, our markings again indicate different directions: follow the right towards the waterfalls. You will arrive at the site of the old dry stone bridge spanning the Ruisseau du Gô. Information sign.

(7) As shown on the map, a path leading off to the right before the bridge allows you to follow the stream to see the waterfalls. However, almost at the end, you have to wade across the stream. There was too much water when we visited and we had to turn back. This short round trip still allows you to see some small waterfalls. Perhaps you will have better luck or be more adventurous...

(7) Back on the main trail, take the small stone bridge to cross the stream, then continue on this unmarked path. The trail turns left and joins a path. Follow it to the left (mountain bike markings). At the next intersection, find the markings and follow them straight ahead. You will come to a stony track; follow it to the right. Continue along this track, passing a path on the left, then one on the right, and noting the occasional old markings. You will come to a road.

(8) Follow it to the left (markings further on) for about 250 m, then turn right onto a stony path at a right angle, following our markings. At a fork (no markings), keep left, then ignore a grassy path crossing the path. You will arrive at a crossroads with three roads.

(9) Continue along the path opposite (no markings here but a little further on). You will come to an intersection with directional signs for two variants of the "Puy de Brezou" hike. Follow the signs to the right for "par Saint-Hilaire Taurieux". You will then find clear yellow markings "15" (until the end of the route) as well as mountain bike markings 11 and 12. Follow them straight ahead, ignoring the paths on either side.
Further on, the path turns into a small road. Follow it to a T-junction with a small road on the left, before reaching the first houses in the hamlet of Bouix.

(10) Turn left, following our markings and the mountain bike markings. This road quickly turns into a path. Continue to follow the markings, ignoring a path on the right. At a T-junction (not shown on the map), continue to the left and you will soon reach another T-junction.

(11) This time, continue to the right. This path joins a road at the hamlet of Le Mons. Leave the mountain bike signs here and continue left on the road. Further on, you will come to a crossroads that you already passed on the way there.

(1) Turn right and follow the route back in the opposite direction, following the sign for "Bourg de Neuville, 15 min A/R" (Neuville village, 15 min return). For a quick tour of the village, take the first street on the left to pass in front of the church, then follow the streets, keeping to the right, until you reach the small car park behind the church (S/E).

Some stony paths, some muddy paths, depending on the season, and also some grassy paths, which are not necessarily maintained regularly, so hiking boots and trousers are recommended.

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

Photo album here

There are no spectacular landscapes on this hike, but it is a peaceful countryside where you will encounter very few people.
To temper this statement somewhat, I should mention that we did this hike during the week, so it's possible that you may be bothered, not by walkers or mountain bikers, but by motorised idiots at the weekend, as some paths show signs of vehicle tracks, as is often the case, unfortunately...