Route of the two dykes at Vassivière

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The dam is complemented by the Auchaise dyke, which seals off a depression in the ground on the right bank about 400m from the main structure. This reservoir also receives water diverted from the upper basins of the Taurion (La Vaud-Gelade), Vienne, Dorat and Chandouille (Faux-la-Montagne) rivers.

Details

n°866471
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 127 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 126 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 696 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 617 m
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Photos

Châtaignoux Bridge
Path and stone house in Limousin
Stone path
Stone bridge

Description of the walk

Park in the Auchaise dyke car park.

(S/E) Facing the Auchaise road, head towards Auphelle on the D3A2. Pass the Auchaise dam and immediately turn left onto the small path that runs alongside the lake and offers beautiful views. Cross the water ski resort and take the road on the left that leads to the Vassivière dam with views of the lake and the Maulde valley.

(1) After the dam, at the car park in the woods, take the first path on the right which leads to the Pont du Châtaignoux bridge over the Maulde.

(2) Cross the bridge and continue straight up towards Châtaignoux, a ruined hamlet and former settlement.

(3) Cross the hamlet, leaving a path on your left, and take a small sunken path on your right. Climb through the woods, go through a gate (close it behind you), and cross the meadow on your left.

Enjoy the views of the lake on your right and the village of Auzoux on your left. Go through another gate (close it behind you) and join the road on your left.

(4) Cross it and take the lane opposite. After the descent, rejoin thePR®2route and continue straight ahead.

(5) After two bends, leave thePR®2trail by turning right onto a path that climbs towards the hill and continue straight ahead at the next junction.

(6) At the crossroads of four paths, take the one on the right that winds down towards Auchaise through the woods. Continue on the left and arrive in this typical Limousin village via a superb path lined with low walls.

(7) Follow the small road on the left and turn left almost immediately before a house to reach the starting point via a path through the woods (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 651 m - Auchaise dyke car park
  2. 1 : km 1.2 - alt. 660 m - Auphèle dyke
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 617 m - Châtaignoux Bridge
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 649 m - Le Châtaignoux
  5. 4 : km 3.58 - alt. 656 m - Road crossing
  6. 5 : km 4.73 - alt. 634 m - End of the PR, path on the right
  7. 6 : km 5.44 - alt. 691 m - On the right at the crossroads of four roads
  8. 7 : km 6.48 - alt. 657 m - Auchaise
  9. S/E : km 7.01 - alt. 651 m - Auchaise dyke car park

Notes

Characteristics of the Vassivière dam:
- Height: 32 metres
- crest length: 220 m,
- thickness at the base: 25 m,
- thickness at crest: 3 m.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
bon30
bon30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well-marked route with no difficulty

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FrancoisM.751455
FrancoisM.751455

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, pleasant and shaded walk. And a beautiful view of the magnificent Lake Vassivière!

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Chipper41
Chipper41

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first kilometre is not the most pleasant to walk along the road, even if the 33-metre-high viewpoint and the view of the residual stream of the Maulde is a marvel of civil engineering. Then the tree cutting, where we find the Maulde, is quite lunar.The remaining three-quarters of the route are sublime. The passage after the hamlets that takes us to the pass, the grass is so high that we follow the EDF line like a breadcrumb trail and hope we don't get ticks on our legs. Mowing is a must! We feel small in front of the majestic trees and the calvaries encrusted on the path.The climb during the last quarter of the hike (800 m) can make the less experienced or the most fragile among us break a sweat.Finally, the descent to Auchaize along this stone path, lined with flowers and calvaries, is superb. The return to the car park at the start goes through the forest, and the 150m announced for Auchaize would be more like 350m... count on more than 7km 400. Hike completed in 1h45...

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Joël CAPPIOT
Joël CAPPIOT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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jealas
jealas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Superb shaded paths.
Would happily do it again.

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Marlène Dupart
Marlène Dupart

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and pleasant route just a stone's throw from the Auphelle site (Vassiviere Lake station, campsite, L'Escale beach restaurant and a snack bar). Toilet facilities are also accessible to all.

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Kozmic_Blues
Kozmic_Blues

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful and enjoyable hike, definitely worth repeating!

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

Visorando prioritises quality over quantity.

See you soon!

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Kica
Kica

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike with a very well-marked route, which is not always the case on other sites. Well done!

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