The Étang Neuf at Montel-de-Gelat

Between Montel-de-Gelat and Dontreix, head towards the Étang Neuf, which is on the left. There is a car park near the refreshment kiosk.

(S/E) From the starting sign, follow the small road westwards and walk alongside the pond on your right. The road soon veers away from the pond. After a right-hand bend (elevation 678), you’ll reach a triangular junction at a place called Les Corrioux Hauts (cross).

(1) Leave the road and turn right onto a tarmac track. Continue along a wide track and cross the stream that feeds the pond. Ignore a track on the left and head straight on towards the north-east.

(2) You’ll come out onto a road; follow it to the right and pass through the hamlet of Pérol.

(3) Cross the D4 with care and continue along the track opposite, between meadows and coniferous woodland. Enter the woodland. Keep to the right at the first Fork in the road, then ignore a track on the left. Continue along a wide forest track which curves to the right and heads south until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn right to follow a path between pastures and woodland.

(5) Cross the D4 again with care and continue along the path opposite. Return to the edge of the pond. Head slightly uphill to the left under the trees. At the road, turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

For your safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm and waterproof clothing with you, and wear suitable walking shoes.

In winter, some routes are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or may be impassable, or even off-limits depending on conditions.

Some sites are fragile; please stay on the designated paths. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Please take your rubbish with you.

On some routes, pets are not allowed.