Chazelles-sur-Lavieu–Verrières circular loop

Car park: in front of the cemetery, on the outskirts of the village of Chazelles-sur-Lavieu.
The route follows the GR®3 link path, signposted in red and white (sparse signposting), and the GR®3 itself, signposted in red and white.

(S/E) Walk up through the village along Route de Verrières, turn right twice and continue straight on along Route de Fortunières until you reach the last house.

(1) Take the path leading uphill to the left and join a road. Follow it to the left, then go straight on through two junctions until you reach the D102.

(2) Cross the D102, pass the cross on your left and continue along the path leading to Gumières.

(3) Cross the two roads straight ahead and walk alongside the cemetery to reach the bottom of the village at a junction.

(4) Take the road on the right (Montée de la Cascade), walk up through the village and continue straight on along the path. Follow the signposts for the waterfall. You’ll come to a Fork in the road.

(5) Leave the main path (^GR®3) and follow the path on the left signposted for the waterfall. Carefully follow the edge of the stream and admire the various waterfalls. You’ll reach the last one, the Cascade du Saut du Diable.

(6) Turn back and retrace your steps to the previous Fork in the road.

(5) Take the forest track (^GR®3) to the left and head towards Le Curtil.

(7) Take the road on the left before the houses, then follow the path on the left at the start of the bend to reach the hamlet of Plenafeix. Take the path on the left before the last house. Reach the road, cross it and follow the^GR®3 path opposite. Reach the next road (D496) and follow it to the right for 400 m until you reach a T-junction.

(8) Turn onto the path on the left before the house and follow it for 600 m.

(9) Then leave the^GR®3and take a less signposted alternative route of^{the GR®3}on the right. Continue straight on through the forest, passing a few paths on the right, until you reach a T-junction (alt. 1,155 m).

(10) Turn onto the forest track on the right, then take the next one on the left. Continue straight down the slope until you reach the hamlet of Conol.

(11) Walk straight through the hamlet and carry on until you reach the road (D946). Cross the road, continue straight ahead and head for Verrières-en-Forez. Walk straight through the village.

(12) On leaving the village, take the road on the right (Chemin des Rapeaux). Head towards Les Rapeaux and continue straight on along the track. You’ll reach a road; follow it to the right until you reach the junction with the cross.

(13) Continue straight ahead and pass through Les Poizats. On leaving the hamlet, take the path on the right, head downhill and join a road.

Follow it for 100 m, then take the path leading uphill to the right. At the hamlet of Vanel, follow the road to the right, continue straight on along the path and join the road. Follow it to the right for 50 m, take the path on the left and head for Château Lapierre.

(15) Walk alongside the estate until you reach a small road. Follow it straight ahead for 400 m, then take the path on the left to reach the Chazelles cemetery (S/E).

- Saut du Diable Waterfall.
- Château Lapierre.