Circular route on the heights of the Doulon valley starting from Vintz via l'Air

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The route passes through coniferous woods and magnificent beech forests, offering welcome shade if you walk it in summer. Recent logging has opened up the view to the right bank of the Doulon valley, revealing superb panoramic views.

Details

n°96972326
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.98 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 673 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 702 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,081 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,359 ft
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Description of the walk

The walk starts from the village of Vintz in the commune of Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon, on the D19 Brioude/La Chaise-Dieu. Vehicles can be parked on the lay-by opposite the village.

(S/E) Head east along the D19 for about 100 metres, then turn left before the house on the left, take the path running alongside the house and turn right, parallel to the D19, towards Madriat.

(1) Turn left and follow a small road to the hamlet of Madriat.

(2) At the junction on leaving the hamlet, turn left and follow the road towards Feneyrolles. Continue to a path on the left before Feneyrolles.

(3) Turn onto this path which descends towards l’Air and joins a road.

(4) Follow it to the left, pass L’Air (a house), cross a stream (a tributary of the Doulon) and continue along this downhill road until you reach a hairpin bend just before the Joux junction.

(5) Leave the road and, via a path on the left through the woods, head to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,680 ft - Abandoned roadside on the D19
  2. 1 : mi 0.57 - alt. 2,940 ft - Turn left
  3. 2 : mi 0.96 - alt. 3,051 ft - Junction at the exit from Madriat
  4. 3 : mi 1.39 - alt. 3,002 ft - Junction on the path to the left
  5. 4 : mi 2.31 - alt. 2,490 ft - Road junction - Doulon (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Senouire
  6. 5 : mi 3.68 - alt. 2,477 ft - Junction on the path
  7. S/E : mi 3.98 - alt. 2,680 ft - Abandoned roadside on the D19

Notes

This route is shaded and can therefore be followed in summer.

Worth a visit

Panoramic views, beech forests.

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