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Access: By car from Saint-Pal-de-Mons, head towards Villedemont in the south-west, then Laval. Take the path towards Laval. Park immediately on the left-hand side.
(S/E) To start, return to the small crossroads and follow the path heading south-west towards France (not Laval or Le Cluzel). You will quickly pass a house on your right. The path is fairly flat at first. You will reach a viewpoint overlooking the picturesque Dunières valley and, on the right, the Côte Rousse.
(1) Continue along the path which descends south-west, dotted with watchtowers used by hunters.
(2) As you approach the river, the path splits: take the left-hand path. Pass a final, very high watchtower. At the next intersection, turn left onto the path that soon heads south-east.
(3) At the sign for "chapelle" (chapel), turn right for a round trip to the Chapelle Saint-Julien la Tourette. Retrace your steps.
(3) Continue along the path on the right. Pass a small house cut off from the world, which enjoys an extraordinary location and view of the region.
(4) At the three-way junction, turn left and continue to the small hamlet of Laval. After the houses, go down the path on your right. Turn right again to reach the Dunières. Take the bridge that once led to a mill and cross the stream.
(5) Immediately after the bridge, take the path on your left and begin a fairly challenging climb.
(6) You will reach a small quarry. Turn left (coming from below) and follow a slight incline. You will then begin a fairly long but not too steep climb through Douglas firs and other conifers.
(7) Pass the hamlet of Chauvéac: you will pass an uninhabited house on your right. Immediately take the path that descends to the left towards Les Dunières.
(8) Cross the river using the fallen electricity poles as a bridge! (Four electricity pole bridges, as you have to cross several branches of the Dunières). You are now back in Saint-Pal-de-Mons. Head back up to the left along the very stony and difficult path to reach a fork.
(9) Take the small path on your left, which is not very visible in the woods, and you will soon come to the knoll de Mons, an amazing rock that stands in front of you. Retrace your steps.
(9) Continue north-east and climb up a path that is not very stable. Continue until the slope levels out completely. There is a fairly wide path above you. When you reach the fork, take the right-hand path. Admire the flora on this slope, which is unusual in this region at this altitude.
You will arrive at what is known locally as the Car Park. Continue along one of the two paths that climb up to the left (the first is less steep than the one at the back) and go to the summit, the Rocher du Poulain. Descend on the other side to the hunters' hut.
(10) Continue straight ahead to reach the tarmac road. Turn left towards the hamlet of Villedemont, cross it and continue straight ahead to reach the Laval - la France - le Cluzel crossroads (S/E).
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