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On the D941 from Vulcania towards the A89, at the Maisons-Rouges roundabout, turn right onto the D62 towards Saint-Ours. About 400m after crossing the railway line, take a small road to the right, at the corner of a house. Park by the roadside just after crossing the level crossing (two or three spaces available; do not park until you have crossed the railway line, these spaces are for the old gatekeeper's house).
Please note! This walk is not signposted in its entirety or as such.
(S/E) Take the road back to the D62, crossing the railway again. Follow the red and white markings on the GR®®441until otherwise indicated.
(1) Cross the road and follow the D62 to the right for about 80m(take care) and take the path that veers off to the left, between the road and the Chemin des Girolles.
Ignore a footpath on the left, signposted "Entre miel et terre" ("Between honey and earth"). At the crossroads, follow the road to the left into the village of Saint-Ours. Walk past the town hall to the church (which can be visited) (a).
Drive alongside the church on your right, ignoring the road on your right that passes in front of the church and continue straight ahead until you reach the next intersection. Ignore the road on the left and turn slightly right towards Pontgibaud.
(2) Leave the GR®® markings to turn right into Rue de la Paix and continue to the crossroads of four streets. Continue straight ahead on Chemin du Puy de Sau. Go straight ahead on the same road at the next crossroads and continue along the path when the tarmac disappears.
Continue along this wide track, ignoring a few grassy paths (to the left, then straight ahead at a bend (not shown on the map) and left again), most of which are marked by old yellow crosses. This leads to another wide path opposite a stele commemorating the death of two members of the Resistance during the Occupation.
(3) Turn left. Ignore a track on the right (not shown on the map) and come to an intersection.
(4) Turn right, ignoring the yellow cross. Continue straight on, ignoring a track on the right (not shown on the map) until you reach a crossroads with four tracks.
(5) Go straight on, towards the houses of the hamlet of Fougères that can be seen. At the beautiful carved cross, follow the Route de Fonfatas to the left (ignoring the GR®® markings).
(6) Cross the D943 and continue along the track opposite. Continue straight ahead on this track until you reach the hamlet of Chausselle.
(7) At the first junction, turn right, then take the first turning on the left. Then turn right into Rue de l'Abreuvoir and pass a dry fountain (with a bench inside). At the T-junction, continue along this road, which bends right. At the next intersection, you will see a beautiful house (Chambre d'hôte des Volcans) and a fountain.
Turn left, leaving an old wash-house on your right just before crossing the railway line, then turn left onto the small road. Continue along the track that runs alongside it and offers fine views of the Chaine des Puys. Ignore an access road to the D941 on the left and join the hamlet of La Courteix.
(8) Pass the wheelwright's workshop on the right, ignoring the streets on the right. You will come to a square with a beautiful cross, fountain and wash-house. Keep to the left, ignoring all the streets on the right as you leave the hamlet. Cross the railway line and continue along the road to the hamlet of Beauloup.
(9) As soon as you enter the hamlet, turn left into Rue des Garennes. At the next junction, make a very short right turn towards the circular fountain, the large wash-house (unfortunately dried out) and the well-restored communal oven (a little further along the square).
Take the Rue des Garennes back towards the "Ruche des Puys" eco-museum (b), following the "Gare au loup" signs (follow them until you see signs to the contrary). Leave the ecomuseum on the right and immediately come to an intersection with a sculpted cross and a fountain.
Continue left, then left again on the track at the next junction. At the fork in the road, turn right and continue until you reach a T-junction with another road, at a cross.
(10) Temporarily leave the "Gare au loup" signposting to go back and forth to the Captage de Louchadière (c) (if you are interested). Return to the intersection at the cross.
(10) Follow the "Gare au loup" signs to the left. Ignore a path on the left at a milestone (this path, signposted "Entre Miel et Terre", is the same as the one you ignored at the start of the route).
(1) Further on, leave the "Gare au loup" signs, cross the D62(take care) and take the road opposite to reach the junction with the railway line.
(S/E) Continue straight ahead on the minor road and then on the track which continues it, ignoring a track on the right, until you reach the crossroads of four tracks.
(11) Turn right, then ignore a footpath on the left.
(12) Turn left onto the next footpath. Continue downhill until you cross a stream, then climb again. The path widens out into a track through pastureland, leading to a wide carriage road.
(13) Follow this to the left until you reach the hamlet of Beauregard.
(14) As you enter the hamlet, notice a superb lime tree. Take the first turning on the right, passing between a tiny spring on the right of the road and tiny drinking troughs on the left. The road turns left. Follow it, passing a beautiful house, to reach the square with its fountain, wash-house and shoe loom.
Go around the fountain to the right, past the cross and then follow the path to the right (signposted GR®® Red and White). At the fork in the path, at a wooden cross, bear left (leaving the GR®® to the right). Continue past a stone cross and come to the crossroads marking the start of this second loop.
(11) Go straight ahead to the junction with the railway line(S/E) along the same path as on the outward journey.
