Circular walk from the Col de Serre to Puy de Niermont and Lavigerie

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A circular route starting from the Col de Serre, following theGR® 400 and the Sentier des Quirous.

Details

n°37553307
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.58 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,041 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,064 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,285 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,524 ft
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Photos

Old alpine hut

Description of the walk

Access to the Col de Serre via the D680 from Le Puy-Mary or from Murat via Dienne. The route starts at this pass.

Red and white markings

(S/E) Follow theGR® 4 north-east towards the Puy de Niermont. At the first junction, turn right onto theGR® 4to reach the Puy de Niermont (altitude 1,620).
On the ascent, you can admire the view over the village of Le Claux.

(1) From the summit, continue along theGR®4north-eastwards to the Sentier des Quirous (GR®4).

(2) Turn right and follow it (cairns and information sign) east-southeast to the crossroads (elevation 1,374).

(3) Turn right, head generally south and ignore the paths branching off to the right and left. Join a cross-country path.

(4) Turn left and continue the descent south-eastwards, towards Drils. At the entrance to the hamlet, look out for the waterfall on the right and then, a little further on, on the left. Continue the descent to the crossroads in the centre of the hamlet.

(5) Turn right and carry on to the D680.

(6) Cross the road carefully and continue along the road heading west until you reach the D23, which branches off to the left and leads to Lavigerie. Walk past the cemetery and the church on your left until you reach an X-junction.

(7) Turn left towards the hamlet of La Gravière. Cross the bridge over the Impradine, turn left and head for La Gravière. At the first junction (cross), carry on straight ahead to reach the fountain. Carry on straight ahead to La Courbatière after a hairpin bend.

(8) Then take the path on the left, then follow the path on the right, ignoring a turn-off to the right. Ignore two turn-offs to the left. Cross the Impradine via a footbridge and arrive at a T-junction.

(9) Turn left, then cross three streams and, immediately afterwards, reach a Y-junction.

(10) Turn right to head uphill towards some farm buildings, which you’ll walk past on your left. On the way up, you’ll see a beautiful waterfall on your left. Join the D680.

(11) Turn left onto this road and you’ll reach the Col de Serre, where there is a car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,370 ft - Car park at the - Col de Serre (1331m)
  2. 1 : mi 2.02 - alt. 5,285 ft - Puy de Niermont
  3. 2 : mi 4.07 - alt. 4,692 ft - The Quirous Trail (GR4)
  4. 3 : mi 5.08 - alt. 4,508 ft - Crossroads - Sentier des Quiroux
  5. 4 : mi 5.96 - alt. 4,364 ft - Drils Path
  6. 5 : mi 6.85 - alt. 3,606 ft - Drils
  7. 6 : mi 7.61 - alt. 3,629 ft - D680 road
  8. 7 : mi 8.23 - alt. 3,586 ft - Lavigerie. Passing close to the - Santoire (rivière) - Affluent de la Rhue
  9. 8 : mi 9.04 - alt. 3,681 ft - La Courbatière
  10. 9 : mi 10.06 - alt. 3,829 ft - T-junction, after the - Impradine (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Santoire
  11. 10 : mi 10.67 - alt. 3,921 ft - Y-junction
  12. 11 : mi 11.09 - alt. 4,226 ft - D680 road
  13. S/E : mi 11.58 - alt. 4,370 ft - Car park at the - Col de Serre (1331m)

Notes

Worth a visit

From the Col de Serre, views of Puy Mary and Puy de Peyre Arse.
Cairns on the Quirous trail.
Several waterfalls and springs along the route.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 21313126

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Problem with signposting from the summit of the Niemont. Later found on the Chemin des Quiroux.
And over-marked after the gravel pit
Setting off from the Col de Serre, we thought the walk was 16 km long (as indicated at the pass).
In fact, the walk starts from the gravel pit, so it’s 21 km.
It’s a shame to have to walk the last kilometre along the road 🤪

Machine-translated

Tylec
Tylec

Thank you for your comment.

Machine-translated

Louloudesbois8
Louloudesbois8

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk, completed on 1 April 2025 in fine weather. The signposting and directions are very clear; we never had any trouble finding our way, and the route is easy to follow. The variety of landscapes makes for a varied walk: we passed through small villages, across plains, along the incredible Quiroux path, through valley floors and up to small peaks! The views are breathtaking and well worth the effort.
There are some lovely little climbs to get your legs going, and flat sections where you can catch your breath.
Make sure you wear sturdy walking shoes, as some sections can be quite wet (where you cross streams). Also pack some warm clothes, as the Puy de Niermont and the Limon plateau can be very windy.

Thanks to the user for this superb walk!

Machine-translated

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