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Departure from the Beaune-le-Froid cemetery, far from the hustle and bustle that can sometimes be found at the lake.
Coming from the D5, turn right onto the D617 towards Beaune-le-Froid, cross the village centre and, at the exit, opposite a cross, turn left onto the small road (signposted Cimetière), go down the access road to the cemetery on the left (two or three parking spaces at the entrance to the cemetery).
(S/E) Go up the access road to the cemetery, then turn left onto the path that soon heads south. Ignore a path on the right. Shortly afterwards, the path veers eastwards. Leave it further on and take the first path that climbs to the right to reach a ridge.
(1) A few steps to the left will give you a beautiful view of Lake Chambon and the Dent du Marais. Turn right and then immediately, at the fork, veer left uphill (GR®®30red and white markings). There are some lovely views of Murol and its castle.
(2) Pass Dent du Marais and continue downhill. Pass Rocher de l'Horloge (view of the lake). Ignore a path on the right and shortly afterwards you will come to a crossroads with several paths.
(3) Turn left, then a few steps further on, turn left again onto the path leading downhill, which soon turns into a street as you enter Chambon. Ignore a street on the right. You will come to an intersection; continue on the path opposite (yellow sign, direction Lac), which has a few steps. You will come to the D5, facing the lake; cross carefully.
(4) Begin the tour of the lake by continuing straight ahead. The path first passes between the lake and various buildings, then between the lake and fields.
(5) Further on, take the footbridge over the Couze Chambon, then cross the beach. Then turn right onto a beautiful wide path between the lake and a hillside covered with beech trees, marked by theGR®®30, and reach the start of a path on the right with footbridges on stilts.
(6) Turn right onto the footbridges on stilts to cross the wetland. You will come to an intersection with a path (there were alpacas in the field opposite when we passed).
(7) Turn left and, a few metres further on, turn right onto a path. Continue to the D5, cross it carefully, and continue along the small road opposite which climbs towards the hamlet of Varennes.
(8) Continue along the road through Varennes, following the signs for Vestiges de Varennes. Ignore three turnings on the left and you will arrive at a small square with two benches overlooking the Varennes wash house. Turn left and then keep left to climb up to the ruins, the entrance to which is on the left.
(9) This is a small mound with ruins (under renovation in April 2022). You can visit by following the marked path. Back at the entrance to the site, follow the path on the left (GR®®) to return to the intersection you passed on the way there.
(3) Turn left, then left again a few steps further on the path that climbs up and joins the ridge at an intersection.
(10) Follow the path on the right to the crossroads marked by the small Croix de Barbat. Turn left, ignore a path on the right, pass to the left of another cross and continue towards the village of Beaune-le-Froid. At the intersection, take the small road on the right, then turn left onto the street leading to the cemetery (S/E).
Very pretty hike, with magnificent views of Mont-dore, at Dent du Marais overlooking Lake Chambon, superb view, beautiful climb to reach Beaune-le-Froid, very satisfied with this beautiful route.
Visorando member
Easy 
