The Auzon at Le Cendre and the Puy de Marmant

Circular walk to enjoy a pretty walk along the Auzon, a beautiful river well preserved in this urban environment, before climbing a little higher up the Puys de la Chèvre and Marmant.

Details

91801530
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.13 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 617 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 617 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,539 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,089 ft

Description of the walk

Coming from the A75 via the D979, turn left at the roundabout when you reach Le Cendre (M52) and park about 200 metres further on in the sports ground car park.

(S/E) With your back to the road, enter the sports area between the buildings and the sports field and cross the Auzon.

(1) On the other side of the river, turn left and follow the path along the Auzon to a street.

(2) Cross the street, turn right, and after about 150 metres, take a path on the left that leads back to the promenade along the Auzon.

(3) Cross the Route des Martres and continue along the path opposite, slightly to the right. Continue along the river, ignoring the side paths, until you reach a street.

(4) Follow it to the left and pass under the railway line, then at the fork in the road, turn right and immediately take the path on the left along the Auzon and follow it.

(5) Cross a street and continue along the path opposite. Further on, the path leaves the Auzon at one of its bends. Cross the fields to reach an intersection with a path.

(6) Turn right and shortly afterwards, at the fork in the road, turn right again and take the bridge over the railway line. Turn left immediately afterwards and continue along this path which runs alongside the railway line, which is a little monotonous, especially in winter.

(7) Cross the D8 very carefully, follow it to the left through the grass to reach a path leading off to the right. At the crossroads, turn left.

(8) At the fork in the path, keep left to climb up to Puy de la Chèvre, ignore a path on the right further on and continue climbing. Pass the relay antennas and continue for another 250 metres.

(9) Turn right, then take the first path on the left. At the next intersection, turn right. Further on, the path becomes tarmac.

(10) At the junction with a road at a place called Croix-Blanche, follow the road to the right for a few metres, then leave it for the path that branches off to the right (Chemin des Combes). Cross a road and continue straight ahead (Route de Bourdelas).

(11) At the fork, keep right on the path, ignore a path on the right and, at the next fork, follow the path on the right that climbs towards Puy de Marmant. Ignore another path on the right and another on the left and continue to a fork in the path. Take the path on the left that climbs to the top of Puy de Marmant and reach the foot of the cross, which is a viewpoint.

(12) Descend on the opposite side, to the north, and join a path. Follow it to the left.

(13) Turn onto the next path on the right. When you reach the road, walk a few metres to the left to take the tunnel and rejoin the Auzon. Continue along the path to reach the footbridge over the river.

(1) Take this to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,158 ft - Parking at the sports grounds.
  2. 1 : mi 0.11 - alt. 1,152 ft - Footbridge over the - Auzon (rivière) - Affluent de l'Allier
  3. 2 : mi 0.58 - alt. 1,142 ft - Trail x street intersection
  4. 3 : mi 0.82 - alt. 1,132 ft - Road crossing
  5. 4 : mi 1.24 - alt. 1,122 ft - Trail x street intersection - Gare de Le Cendre-Orcet
  6. 5 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,119 ft - Crossing the street
  7. 6 : mi 2.2 - alt. 1,142 ft - Intersection of paths
  8. 7 : mi 2.85 - alt. 1,155 ft - Crossing the D8
  9. 8 : mi 3.4 - alt. 1,358 ft - Fork in the road
  10. 9 : mi 4.09 - alt. 1,522 ft - Intersection of paths
  11. 10 : mi 4.92 - alt. 1,214 ft - Croix-Blanche
  12. 11 : mi 5.33 - alt. 1,181 ft - Fork in the road/path
  13. 12 : mi 6.08 - alt. 1,421 ft - Puy de Marmant - Puy de Marmant (435 m)
  14. 13 : mi 6.53 - alt. 1,191 ft - Intersection of paths
  15. S/E : mi 7.12 - alt. 1,161 ft - Parking at the sports grounds.

Notes

Hike of moderate difficulty, leaning towards easy. Standard hiking equipment.

Worth a visit

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Photo album here

A very nicely laid out walk along the Auzon. The countryside that follows is more monotonous, especially in winter, but the hills are more pleasant, with unobstructed views.

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