Solidified lava flow of Mercœur and Beaune pastures

In Fonfreyde, park in the car park on the edge of Rue du Relais (D90) and walk along Place du Coudert, south of the village.

No signposts

(S/E) Continue along the road, heading south-west, with your back to the village centre. At No. 70, with a rounded gate to a house on the right-hand side of the road, take the path to the left of the gate. Further on, you will come to a disused road; follow it to the right. Ignore the paths that branch off to the right into the forest and you will come to a meadow on your right.

(1) Take the path on the right, which runs alongside the meadow on your left and then enters the forest.

(2) Further on, at a path junction in a meadow, keep to the right (the path on the left is shown on the OSM map but not on the IGN map; it joins the^GR®®). The path goes around a meadow on the left and comes out into an open space. Continue straight ahead towards the entrance to another meadow and follow the path that branches off to the right.

(3) At the T-junction with a path, turn left. Pass through the open spaces of Creux du Pialoux, then ignore a path leading off to the left and arrive at a road (D5).

(4) Cross the road and turn right onto the path that runs alongside the road (which has little traffic). After about 200 m, you will arrive at the start of the fitness trail.

(5) Take the path on the left. Further on, ignore a path on the right and arrive at a crossroads.

Yellow disc markings

(6) Continue straight ahead on the path between meadows and woods. Further on, ignore a path on the right and arrive at a crossroads at the entrance to a meadow.

(7) Take the wide path on the right, quickly arriving at a T-junction and follow the path on the right. Continue straight ahead at the next crossroads and arrive at an intersection at the "Les Palles Hautes" signpost.

(8) Turn right for a few metres, then follow the path on the left towards Fontfreyde.

(9) At the crossroads, turn right into a plot of fir trees. After about 300 metres, take a sharp left turn and you will come to a road (D5).

(10) Continue along the path opposite, through the mixed forest. This becomes a path lined with old walls.

(11) Further on, pass along a Forest Art area on your left. You can enter this plot to discover the works of art. Then continue along the path which joins a track.

(12) Follow it to the left, walk alongside the farm buildings, then leave the road for a path that climbs to the right and joins a road. Follow it to the right until you reach the "Fontfreyde" signpost.

(13) Follow the road to the left towards La Cassière, quickly rejoin a street and follow it, going around a house with red shutters on the right. At the intersection, leave Rue du Soleil Levant on your left, continue straight ahead to Place de la Fontaine (fountain and wash house), then follow the main street, almost opposite, to return to Place du Coudert and the car park (S/E).

Hike of moderate difficulty, leaning towards easy, requiring standard hiking equipment.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here and more generally in the Puy-de-Dôme here

Photo album here

La Cheire de Mercœur is an ancient solidified lava flow from Puy de Mercœur. Solidified lava flows are generally covered with forests because their very chaotic and rocky terrain has always been very difficult to exploit. In the past, however, very small plots were developed there to raise a few sheep: in some places, old dry stone walls remain.
On the other hand, the solidified lava flow of Mercœur is bordered by vast open areas, such as Les Palles Hautes, which make for beautiful summer pastures.

(11) An amusing plot of Forest Art (personal name), please respect this place.

(S/E) Houses and small traditional buildings in Fontfreyde.