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In the village of Ayat-sur-Sioule, park in the car park near the town hall, close to the Desaix monument.
Markings:Yellow lines and smallPR®® signs for the Balirando “Les côtes” trail, except on two short return sections, as mentioned in the description.
(S/E) To the right of the Desaix monument, head down towards the church, then follow the street to the right and leave the village. At the left-hand bend in the street, continue straight on along the path, then follow the trail that extends from it until you reach a road.
(1) Follow it straight on. At the junction with another road, cross over and take the path opposite; cross the road again and continue straight ahead. The path winds down in hairpin bends and leads to a small road, overlooking the Sioule.
(2) For a short, unmarked return walk, head down to the right to reach the Sioule at the bridge and Moulin de Braynant. Retrace your steps.
(2) Carry on straight ahead along this quiet little road, which runs along a ledge overlooking the Sioule, ignoring the road on the left that climbs towards Ronchaigne.
(3) Pass through the hamlet of Les Côtes; a sign points to Moulin de la Fayolle on the other side of the river. Continue along the road to reach the hamlet of Gaby.
(4) Carry on straight ahead through the hamlet, ignoring a road branching off to the left, and continue along the path that runs alongside the road. Further on, ignore a path to the left.
(5) When the path begins to move away from the river, carry on straight ahead for a return trip through a wet meadow, along an unmarked path that runs alongside the Sioule. The path gradually narrows and eventually leads to the river at a very pretty spot, ideal for a break. Retrace your steps and rejoin the marked path.
(5) Turn right onto the path that climbs through the woodland. At a bend in the path, near a broom-covered heath, ignore the forest track that heads straight on. Pass an aerial on your left (not shown on the IGN map) and emerge from the woods. You’ll reach the hamlet of Longesserre and come out onto a road.
(6) Follow this road through the hamlet, then continue along the road, ignoring a track on the left as you leave the hamlet, and then two tracks on the right further on.
(7) About 150 m after passing an abandoned farm on your left, turn onto a track on the right. Further on, it bends to the left and joins a road. Follow this to reach the hamlet of Le Puy.
(8) At the junction, turn left, then keep right at the next two junctions. Stay on the road to reach the village of Ayat; walk past the cemetery, then turn left towards the church. Opposite the church, take the footpath up towards the town hall (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Difficult 
Tourist office
