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The Murel Waterfalls are signposted from the RD1120 road from the village of Forges (between Tulle and Argentat). The start of the hike is at the Murel Waterfalls car park at the end of the access road.
(S/E) From the car park, continue along the access road and take the path that climbs up the left bank of the Franche Valeine stream (in an upstream to downstream direction). Initially, ignore the path that climbs up to the right to see the first large waterfall. The path ends at the base of this waterfall. Do not take the more or less marked, very steep paths that climb up to the right at this point (uncomfortable shortcuts to see the rest), but turn back and take the path you saw earlier.
Follow this path, which climbs quite steeply in a series of switchbacks. At the third left-hand bend, it becomes more horizontal. Follow it, keeping to the left, and avoid going back down to the first large waterfall via the shortcut. The path finally descends to join the Franche Valeine river.
Carefully make a short round trip downstream to admire the first waterfall from above.
(1) Then follow the stream upstream on a narrow, uneven bank, at water level, until you reach a wooden footbridge that allows you to cross to the other side. There is a higher path that is more comfortable but less scenic.
On the other bank, the path immediately climbs up the rocky outcrop via a few large steps (you can also follow a short, relatively easy ledge on the right and then climb back up to the path above). The path then climbs slightly above the stream to the viewpoint overlooking the second large waterfall. More experienced hikers can make a round trip down to the water's edge.
(2) The trail then climbs again and curves sharply to the right, leading to the top of the second waterfall (signs are in place clearly indicating the continuation of the trail). A small downward slope leads to the top of this waterfall at the end of the old canal that supplied a micro-power plant project that was never completed, but does not allow a view of the waterfall from above.
Follow the trail at the bottom of this old canal and continue until you reach a carriage road located 500 m from the waterfall. Turn left onto this road, which climbs back up.
If you continue straight ahead at this point, you will reach a bridge spanning the stream on the right, leading to private property and a path marked in yellow on the left, which allows you to extend the hiking loop, but which takes several kilometres of tarmac roads through the village of Albussac, before returning to the route described here.
(3) Take the carriage road on the left, which climbs and becomes tarmac, passing a few houses on the left and continuing for 600 metres until you reach a four-way crossroads.
(4) Take the paved road on the left (here you will find the yellow municipal signpost No. 14) and turn left towards Maison Rouge. Follow this narrow paved road to the carpentry workshop/sawmill, then take the dirt track just before it on the left. Follow it for about 300 metres until you reach a clearly visible path that descends perpendicularly to the right (yellow markings still present).
(5) Follow this steeply descending path for 300 m until you reach the statue of the Virgin Mary.
Turn right to see the Moulin de Prézat waterfall on the Ruisseau des Rochettes stream (otherwise turn left to take the direct route to the rest of the loop). Do not take the footbridge that crosses the stream and joins the RD921 (Brive-Argentat).
(6) Once you reach the Moulin de Prézat waterfall, turn back, still without crossing the stream, and take the path on the right at the top of the Cascade de la Vierge which, after a slightly steep descent, joins the foot of the waterfall. From there, continue downstream on the same bank to rejoin the path previously seen to the left of the statue of the Virgin Mary. Follow it to the right until you reach a footbridge that crosses the Ruisseau des Rochettes.
Follow the path along the right bank of the stream, crossing the stream bed on a line of blocks that allow you to cross without getting wet. After 600 metres, the path leads to another footbridge just before the confluence of the Rochettes stream and the Franche Valeine.
There are 600 metres left to go to reach the finish.
Stay on this path on the right bank (upstream-downstream) of the Franche Valeine, ignoring the first footbridge on the right, which crosses the stream, and continuing to the one opposite the car park at the start (S/E).
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