Circular route via Le Vernet and the Limagne Marshes from Saint-Jean-de-Nay

The start is in the centre of the village of Saint-Jean-de-Nay, at Place de l'Église, where you can park alongside the church.

(S/E) From the church, take Rue de la Calade, which is a paved slanting street that slopes gently down towards the lower part of the village, then quickly turn into the first small street on the right, which initially descends to the stream known as Le Cereix, before climbing towards the D590.

(1) Cross it carefully and take the grassy path opposite, which climbs until it joins a small road.

(2) Continue to the right along the small tarmac road to the next junction.

(3) Cross it and go straight on along a dirt track until you reach the next junction.

(4) Turn right and continue along this main path, which you should leave on the left at a place called Chapot.

(5) Turn left and continue towards the hamlet of Meynial to reach a small tarmac road; follow it straight ahead.

(6) Do not enter the hamlet but turn right. Continue along the small tarmac road towards the D40.

(7) Take it to the right for about 100 m, then turn left carefully. Continue along a dirt track, veering left towards the village of Le Vernet.

(8) At the tarmac road to Beyssac, turn left towards the village. Stay on this road until you reach the village square.

(9) Take the Route de la Durande, which climbs to the right, and continue to a Y-junction.

(10) Turn sharply left (west), ignoring the two other paths heading north. Continue, then turn right (north) until you reach the next junction.

(11) Turn right, walk for 250 m towards the forest and turn left into the woods to join the GR®40.

(12) Ignore the track heading left towards La Durande and continue on the path to the right (GR®40). Continue through the forest to the next junction. Please note: the ascent to La Durande requires a return via the same route, as the descent shown on the map is no longer passable.

(13) At the crossroads (marked by a cross), leave the GR®40, turn left and continue due north through the forest towards Roche Longue.

(14) Just past the 1208m mark, at the Y-junction, turn right onto the GR®40 until the next junction (1144m). The hamlet of Limagne is visible on the left.

(15) Turn right towards the Marais de Limagne (signpost). Continue straight on, skirting the marsh (protected area) on your left and below. Continue to the D40 at a place called Lapeyre.

(16) Cross the D40 carefully and take the dirt track opposite until the next T-junction.

(17) Turn right and follow the descending path which runs above the D590 to reach Route de Fonbaillou and the first houses of the village of Saint-Jean-de-Nay.

(18) Cross the D590 with care, then head down Rue de la Côte. Pass the school complex on the right, then the town hall on the left, and arrive at Place de l’Église (S/E).

You can top up your water supplies in the village of Le Vernet (fountain).

In addition to the panoramic views along the open route, between (15) and (17) the Limagne Marshes (peat bogs).