Circular route on the slopes of the Puy des Fages

Start at Soudaine-Lavinadiaire town hall. Park in the large car park located before the town hall, on the right-hand side of the D178 when approaching from the D16.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Head towards the town hall. Once you’ve passed it, turn right and continue to the entrance of the church for a view of its portal and the archaeological site.

(1) Turn back and turn right again at the town hall. Pass the war memorial on your left and follow Rue de la Commanderie. At the Fork in the road immediately ahead, turn left and head gently downhill.

(2) At the ‘Give Way’ sign, follow the D178 to the right and continue downhill through the meadows. Before the bridge over the Soudaine, turn left onto the small road to Cabouzou. At the Fork in the road about a hundred metres further on, turn right. Walk along a gravel track with the river below on your right.

(3) Ignore a path leading uphill to the left and continue along the track through the valley. At the next junction, turn right, rejoin the tarmac road and head downhill beneath the fir trees. Cross a stream. The road climbs gently at first, with the stream below on the left, then levels out and winds its way up a few bends to reach the hamlet of La Cassière (a beautiful house).

(4) Turn left with the road and pass a large house on the right-hand side. At the T-junction, turn left towards Treignac.

Yellow markings + white signposts (wooden signs)

(5) About a hundred metres further on, leave the road and turn left onto the path that leads into the woodland. Stay on the main path, as the side paths are all blocked off (private property). After a flat section, head down a fairly steep slope. At a three-way junction, take the right-hand hairpin bend and continue the descent.

(6) Cross a stream via a wooden footbridge, then head uphill on the other side. Leave the forest and stay on the edge, with meadows on your right. Continue across open ground until you reach the hamlet of La Rigauderie.

(7) Then take the^first path on the left, at the corner of a small stone house, and head between the meadows (wide-open view). After passing under a high-voltage power line, the wide path curves to the right, descends slightly and enters the forest.

(8) At a three-way junction, turn right and continue along a gently ascending path. After leaving the forest, stay on the path which winds its way through meadows and heathland. Pass under the high-voltage power line again, take a sharp left-hand bend whilst crossing a stream, and pass under the high-voltage power line one last time. Continue downhill through the meadows (with a view of the rooftops and the village church spire) and then along the edge of the woodland.

(9) At the junction, carry on straight ahead and head downhill through the woodland. Walk alongside a pond on your right, rejoin the tarmac road and pass the first houses. At the T-junction, turn right onto the D178. Pass the war memorial and then the town hall on your left, and you’ll reach the car park (S/E).

Hiking boots recommended.

There are no water sources or shops along the route. The route passes through woods that are private property; numerous signs indicate this: please respect the area.

A detailed map is useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

Alternative:
Park at La Rigaudie, near the crossroads (7) (space is available, but please ensure you do not obstruct the way). Follow the main route from this point (7). At the three-way junction (8), turn left and follow the signs for mountain bike route no. 3 downhill and in the opposite direction. At the point (3), rejoin the main route back to La Rigaudie. Allow around 5 km for this shortened version.

Hike completed by the author on 9 November 2018.

- Church of Soudaine-Lavinadiaire (13th century) (S/E).
- Ruins of the Priory of the Holy Sepulchre, which is currently the subject of archaeological excavations. The site, which is not open to the public, is partially covered with tarpaulins to protect it from the elements.
- A pleasant walk through the woods, crossing some lovely streams.
- Sweeping panoramic views between (7) and (8).