From the Vassivière Dam to Nergout

Park in the north-west car park of the Vassivière Dam (Digue d'Auphèle). Follow the blue markings.

(S) Cross the dam and turn right at the exit. Walk along the water sports centre, take the D3a on the right and continue to the crossroads leading to Auchaise.

(1) Cross the D3a and take the path on the left. Continue to Auchaise. At the end of the village, take the path on the right through the woods to rejoin the D3a road further on.

(2) Turn left onto it, then quickly leave it on the right, taking the path that forms a circular loop around the Chassagnas peninsula. When you reach an intersection, take the path on the left, then after 200 metres take the path on the right, which joins a stone path.

(3) Follow this path to the right to reach the hamlet of Chassagnas.

(4) Enjoy the view of the farm, then the different surroundings: larch and Douglas fir forests. Continue along the stone path, then the path along the riverbank.

(5) Turn left and climb up to the burial mound viewpoint.

(6) Head back down south, following the path through the sheep fields (close the gates behind you). The path then turns north-east.

(7) At the intersection, take the path on the left (on the right, you can return to Île de Vauveix).
This path joins the D3a after about 1.7 km. To do this, after 600 m, turn right onto the dirt track for 100 m, then left for 400 m.

(8) Take the path on your right (not marked on the IGN map). You will reach the D3a road after 600 m.

(9) Follow the road on the right for 300 metres before taking the path on your right. Follow it to reach the Masgrangeas Holiday Village by the water's edge.

(10) At the village exit, take the concrete footbridge to reach the D3a. Follow this road for 100 metres on the right before taking the path that branches off to the right just before the roundabout. Continue along this path through the woods and along the riverbank until you reach the wooden footbridge (some sections are not marked on the IGN map).

(11) Take the wooden footbridge to reach the village of Broussat, following the path along the riverbank.

(12) In the village, turn right towards the peninsula and walk for 200 metres.

(13) Turn left onto the path that leads to the riverbank (the Maulde).

(14) Cross the river via the metal footbridge. Continue along the riverbank.

(15) When you reach Port de Vauveix, walk along the public beach. Continue along the riverside path and enter the oak forest at the end of the beach.
Reach the wooden footbridge to cross the stream. Continue to Nergout Beach (E).

Water points in Broussas and Vauveix.
Bed and breakfast accommodation and table d'hôte meals on the shores of Lake Vassivière.
(E) Opposite the beach, La Pourvoirie, guest house and stopover lodge for a well-deserved dinner and rest/accommodation (booking required, picnic baskets can also be ordered).
La Pourvoirie du Lac: 9 rue des Bruyères- Nergout - 87120 Beaumont-du-Lac 06 07 43 55 21, email: pourvoiriedulac@gmail.com

Village of Vauveix.
Artisan pottery workshop in Broussas.
Alternative: 2 km further: the Puy-la-Croix interpretive trail for the viewpoint and the juniper forest.