Between Corrèze and Haute-Vienne, starting from Tarnac

In Tarnac, park near the lake on Rue de l'Enclose, which leads to the campsite. Red markings, but in the opposite direction to this description and therefore not always easy to see.

(S/E) Head west towards the campsite along the lake, then, facing the campsite entrance, follow the path (not the trail) marked in red to the left, which continues along the road. The path goes around the lake and then away from it, becoming a little lost in a grassy area.

Continue climbing up to Puy de la Meize, where you will find it clearly marked as it enters the forest. The path flattens out and crosses a beautiful moorland with broom and ferns.

(1) At the intersection with another path, continue straight ahead (ignoring a wooden sign pointing to the mountain on the right). You will come to a crossroads with several paths, marked with brown and orange mountain bike signs. Ignore these signs and descend to the left to rejoin the road.

Go a few metres to the right, then follow the path to the left (sign for Champeaux sectional forest, red markings).

(2) Further on, at a red mountain bike sign, follow a path to the right and, shortly afterwards, turn left. At a fork (not shown on the map), go down to the right (red mountain bike cross on the left). The path descends slowly between fir trees and heathland to a stream. Do not cross it, but turn right and join a road.

(3) Follow it to the left and cross a stream, the Menoueix. At the fork in the road, continue left towards Les Maisons, La Bessette and follow this road to the hamlet of Les Maisons (note a stone cross on the left at the entrance to the hamlet).

(4) Stay on the road to cross the hamlet, which has some beautiful old farms. About 500 metres after leaving Les Maisons, take a dirt track on the right (red markings) and you will soon see a sign indicating "Rochers à cupules, 20min aller-retour" (Cup-marked rocks, 20-minute round trip). Walk about 200 metres and look out for a path on the left.

(5) Follow it back and forth to find another sign indicating "Rochers à cupules". Continue along this path to the rocks and then retrace your steps.

(5) Continue left on the path. You will come to a road, at the Ruisseau de la Bessette stream, a pond and a sign for "Moulin" (mill). Follow the road to the left to enter the hamlet of La Combe (note a well and a small cross on a low wall, then a small drinking trough).

(6) At the exit of the hamlet, continue straight ahead on the small road. Further on, pass the marker indicating that you are leaving Corrèze and entering Haute-Vienne. A hundred metres further on, note a path that branches off to the right, at an old wooden sign on the left of the road (no visible markings and inscription erased).

(7) Ignore this path for now, as you will take it on the way back, and continue straight ahead on the road for a round trip to the Château de Mazeau. Retrace your steps.

(7) Once back, turn left onto the path. Cross the Ruisseau de la Bessette stream via a footbridge. At the end of the path, you will come to a small road near a farm (Tremouillat) with a beautiful farmyard and a large, friendly dog.

(8) Continue along the small road until you reach another road. Follow it to the left for about 50 metres, then take the path on the left at the wooden sign indicating "Tarnac".

(9) Cross the Menoueix again.

(10) At a bog on the right-hand side of the path, take a discreet path on the left for a return trip to the summit of Puy Murat, where there is an ancient 13th-century castrum. On the way up, when the path becomes a little unclear, veer to the right. You will come to an information sign (unfortunately, the site is covered by vegetation and the view from the summit is not spectacular, so the return trip is optional). Head back down the path.

(10) On your return, continue to the left. You will soon come to a fork in the path. Keep to the right and continue along this path until you reach an intersection with a road, marked by a cross.

(11) Follow the road to the right. Shortly afterwards, you will see a small stone cross on the left; ignore the paths on the left. About 150 metres further on, leave the road and take a grassy path on the right. At a water treatment plant, follow the wide path on the left and you will come to a road at a cross.

(12) Follow the road to the right to enter the village of Tarnac. Note the recently renovated church.

(13) Turn right, following the direction indicated by a sign on the wall of the town hall saying "Fontaine Saint-Georges". You will immediately arrive at this beautiful fountain and wash house. Return to the church.

(13) Go across the square to see the beautiful "Sully oak" and a younger "freedom oak". From the square, with your back to the freedom oak, take Avenue de la Mairie (D160 towards Bugeat) at the crossroads opposite. Shortly afterwards, on the left and above, on Place du Champ de Foire, you will find a fountain and a covered wash house.

Continue along this avenue until you find a road on the right leading to the campsite. Follow it to reach the lake (S/E).

Moderate difficulty hike, standard hiking equipment required.

Please note: grassy paths and trails are not necessarily maintained on a regular basis. Trousers are preferable to shorts and skirts.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

The Romanesque church of Tarnac dates back to the 12th century for its oldest parts. It is dedicated to Saint George (a coat of arms depicting the knight slaying the dragon still adorns the entrance door).

The Saint-Georges fountain and wash house date from the 17th century.

The oaks of Tarnac:
Sully Oak: circumference of 3.90m at a height of 1.40m
Oak of Liberty: planted in 1848, circumference 2.9 metres