Circular route from Le Claux to the Buron d’Eylac

This is the ideal walk if you’re staying at the Claux campsite, as that’s where the walk starts. It’s a moderate walk with some lovely views along the way.

Details

n°37537521

Creation:
31 Jul 2023

Last update:
13 Aug 2023

Last review:
16 Mar 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.36 mi
Average duration: 6h 20
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,837 ft
Descent: - 1,808 ft
Highest point: 4,724 ft
Lowest point: 3,369 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts du Cantal
City: Le Claux (15400)
Start/End: N 45.159432° / E 2.70635°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2435OT
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Maison de la Montagne in the village of Le Claux.

(S/E) Join the^GR® 400, accessible via a small road to the right of the house. The^GR® passes by the campsite and takes you up into the hills via a very narrow country lane. Walk past the hamlets of La Jarrige and Lavialle. After the bend at Lavialle, you’ll come to a crossroads of footpaths.

(1) Keep to the right on the^GR®, following the red and white markings, and follow an easy climb to the Ruisseau de la Blatte.

(2) Cross the stream and continue uphill to reach another junction at a hairpin bend.

(3) Keep to the right on the^GR® and continue through the Bois de Nolly Lavialle. Walk along a path alternating between short descents and ascents to reach the Col de Serre.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the^GR® along a path running parallel to the D680. You’ll rejoin the road at the Burons d’Eylac junction.

(5) Carry on straight ahead to reach the Col d’Eylac quickly.

(6) Return via the same route to the burons.

(5) Leave the^GR® and turn left to begin a long, easy descent. Follow a wide right-hand circular loop through the Bois Marty to reach a stream below the Roc des Chamois.

(7) Continue along this well-marked path until you reach the Ruisseau de Ricou la Peyre.

(8) Continue the descent and, after two hairpin bends, reach the junction with the^GR®400.

(9) Turn right onto the GR®400, follow it past the Chaumilloux car park and then the hamlet of Lascourt. You’ll come to a crossroads with a wayside shrine here.

(10) Keep to the right on the^GR® and walk round the Étang de Lascourt. You will then reach the hamlet of Lespinette; turn left to return to the car park at the Maison de la Montagne au Claux (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,389 ft - Maison de la Montagne car park at Le Claux
1 : mi 0.91 - alt. 3,760 ft - Road-GR junction
2 : mi 1.45 - alt. 4,055 ft - Ruisseau de la Blatte
3 : mi 2.16 - alt. 4,429 ft - Crossroads with a hairpin bend
4 : mi 3.61 - alt. 4,370 ft - Col de Serre (1331m)
5 : mi 5.16 - alt. 4,642 ft - Eylac Burons
6 : mi 5.33 - alt. 4,724 ft - Col d’Eylac
7 : mi 6.98 - alt. 4,213 ft - Stream
8 : mi 7.64 - alt. 4,186 ft - Ricou la Peyre stream
9 : mi 8.38 - alt. 4,019 ft - GR400
10 : mi 9.33 - alt. 3,845 ft - Oratory
S/E : mi 10.36 - alt. 3,402 ft - Maison de la Montagne car park at Le Claux

Notes

A medium-length, family-friendly walk with no particular difficulties. Do remember to wear walking shoes, though.

Worth a visit

(4) Col de Serre: you can stop here for a break and sample some local specialities.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

Isabelle Cloux

16 Mar 2026 at 19:07 3600 • Edited: 16 Mar 2026 at 19:09 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a magnificent, varied hike through the woods and along the ridge, with views of the Puy de Sancy on one side and the path leading to the Puy Marie and the other Puys on the left.
I avoided the small road between points 9 and 10, but only because it was dry. I enjoyed this return route (after point 6) on the western slope as it is sunny in the afternoon and sheltered from the wind (from the ridge of the Col de Serre to the buron).
However, I did get a bit ‘lost’ in the forest after point 10… I lost the path, as the slope in the forest is quite steep and I wonder if the ground hasn’t shifted a bit… plus there were loads of leaves.
But with the route map and my phone’s GPS, I managed to make it back down to the valley floor.
I recommend this route.
I don’t understand the comment below saying there’s a lack of views at altitude...? Yes, the Pas de Peyrol offers a different view, but the Puy Marie is clearly visible from the ridge after the Col de Serre, as are all the other Puys on the left before the Puy Mary, and by sticking to this route you avoid the road and the crowds at the Pas de Peyrol, though I realise it’s a matter of choice.
(Strangely, because I gave it two ‘good’ ratings, the score has dropped a bit too much in my opinion… yet they are ‘good’ ratings)

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renault Francis

12 Sep 2023 at 08:46 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This walk is best done on hot days, as much of the route is through woodland. The route is very easy in terms of elevation gain.

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Randonneurs-en-été

21 Aug 2023 at 09:41 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike. It’s a lovely route; we completed it in about 4 hours… and in 5 hours 15 minutes, including lunch and photo breaks.
There aren’t many views when you’re at higher altitudes; in that case, you need to vary your route and head up via the Pas de Peyrol.

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