Circular route across the Hautes Chaumes from the Col du Béal

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A circular walk starting from the Col du Béal. The route takes you via Peyre Mayou, the Refuge de la Roche, the Rochers de la Chapelle, Pierre sur Haute and then the burons de la Richarde. The return route is via the Rocher de la Chaize.

Details

n°105063776
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,506 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,516 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,305 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,547 ft
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Description of the walk

Park at the Col du Béal car park.

(S/E) Head towards the inn along the D40, then turn south-east, to the left, onto the path that starts at the entrance to the Route Militaire. Keep to the path on the right at the two junctions you come to, pass by a small spring and reach the first viewpoint at Peyre Mayou.

(1) Carry on along the ridge to join the GR®3 and follow it, turning right. Just before the second peak, leave the path to follow the track on your right and head for the Refuge de la Roche.

(2) From the refuge, take the small path to the south, rejoin the GR®3 and head down to the right to reach the Col de la Chamboite.

(3) Continue southwards on the GR®3. Before reaching the top of the ski lift, head right towards the Rochers de la Chapelle.

(4) Then head back up towards the Pierre sur Haute radio masts.

(5) Opposite the entrance to the ski resort, join the piste via the path on your right. Turn left onto it and, at the first bend in the piste, veer right towards the Burons de la Richarde. Once at the T-junction with a cross-piste, turn right to reach the Église de la Nativité.

(6) Turn left again, heading due south alongside the Burons de la Richarde.

(7) Take the hairpin bend to the left to continue along the track after the last buron. Stay on this track until you reach the Rocher de la Chaize.

(8) Then take the path off to the right, heading north, to go round the summit of Pierre sur Haute and follow the fence around the antennae.

(9) When you reach the top of the ski runs, head right towards the Chalmazel resort and make your way to the top station of the Jasseries chairlift.

(10) Turn left towards the bottom station of the ski lift, situated a few dozen metres away, and follow the green run through the forest behind the ski lift to reach the forest track. Take this track to the left, heading west, to reach the Couzan ski lifts.

(11) Leave the track to the right and head deeper into the forest. Continue straight on until you reach the point just below the Col de la Chamboite.

(12) Turn right at the edge of the woods, then head left to go round the summit to the east.

(13) At the junction with the path leading to the Refuge du Rocher, turn right and follow it straight on to the Col du Béal car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,557 ft - Col du Béal (1387m)
  2. 1 : mi 0.83 - alt. 5,039 ft - Peyre Mayou
  3. 2 : mi 1.39 - alt. 5,043 ft - Refuge de la Roche
  4. 3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 4,872 ft - Col de la Chamboite (1483m)
  5. 4 : mi 2.82 - alt. 5,243 ft - Rochers de la Chapelle
  6. 5 : mi 3.1 - alt. 5,305 ft - Pierre-sur-Haute
  7. 6 : mi 4 - alt. 4,905 ft - Church of the Nativity
  8. 7 : mi 4.29 - alt. 4,918 ft - Burons de la Richarde
  9. 8 : mi 5.16 - alt. 5,210 ft - Rocher de la Chaize
  10. 9 : mi 5.67 - alt. 5,223 ft - Ski runs
  11. 10 : mi 6.11 - alt. 4,793 ft - Top of the chairlift
  12. 11 : mi 6.46 - alt. 4,649 ft - Couzan ski lifts
  13. 12 : mi 7.03 - alt. 4,836 ft - Below the Col de la Chamboite
  14. 13 : mi 7.73 - alt. 4,918 ft - Junction, turn right
  15. S/E : mi 8.71 - alt. 4,557 ft - Col du Béal

Notes

Don’t forget to enjoy a tasty meal at the inn on your way back!

Parking is available on both sides of the pass.

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.

Downloads
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