La Banne d'Ordanche from Le Pessy or Le Pré Cohadon

On the D219 road, between the village of Murat-le-Quaire and the hamlet of Les Planches, stop at the hamlet of Le Pessy. Drive down into the hamlet via Rue de la Fontaine to park in one of the few available spaces. It is also possible to park near the “Le Panoramique” campsite. You can also start from Pré Cohadon (15), where parking is easier.

(S/E) Return to the D219, cross it with care, and turn right, heading east. Quickly take Route de la Gacherie on the left, heading north-east, and pass in front of the “Le Panoramique” campsite. Continue to the hamlet of La Gacherie.

(1) Take the path on the left to climb into the forest, leaving the road leading to the houses of La Gacherie. The path is marked PR® and points towards Lac de Guéry. You will reach a track.

(2) Continue straight ahead, heading north, and ignore a path coming from the left.

(3) Continue along the path, heading south-east, ignoring first a path on the right, then one on the left, until you reach a fork.

(4) Turn left, in a hairpin bend, heading west, and reach the next fork before a large bend.

(5) Turn right, almost doing a U-turn, heading south-south-west. Pass under a sheepfold and join a path that climbs to the left.

(6) Leave the main path to climb left onto the PR® (yellow markings), heading north towards Le Tenon, through the pastures. Pass the small summit, then head left, heading north-west, on a gentle descent, then a steep climb, to reach the Col de Saint-Laurent and a wide track.

(7) Turn left and climb up the ridge, heading south-west-west. Go round the summit via its northern slope, until you reach the wooden access steps and the junction.

(8) Head left, heading east, and climb the steps to the summit (elevation 1512m). Enjoy the panoramic views and the orientation table.

(9) Turn back to the junction of the staircases.

(8) Take the path on the left to descend the western slope, following the PR® (green) markings along the ridge.

(10) Pass close to one of the sites of the temporary exhibition “Horizons”. This spot hosts an artwork every summer. Continue along the ridge, heading south-west, to the car park, then join the road (D609).

(11) Turn right and walk carefully along the road for a few dozen metres , heading west.
Then take the path crossing the meadows, heading west, and passing by an Auvergne Tra (temporary summer pasture dwelling). Then enter the forest to reach a crossroads.

(12) Continue straight ahead, heading west, until you reach a large crossroads.

(13) Continue straight ahead, heading south-west, skirting a field, passing the water catchment known as ‘au renard’, then joining the Pré Cohadon fitness trail and the Chalet de la Banne.

(14) Take the path on the right, heading south-west, keeping to the grassy verge of the road (D609), until you reach the picnic tables and the junction with the road leading to the Les Sapins housing estate.

(15) Cross the road with care to reach the access road to the Les Sapins housing estate (dead end). Follow the sign for Le Pessy and Murat-le-Quaire, then take the Chemin de la Bataille on the right, heading south.

(16) Continue to the right along Chemin de la Bataille, heading south-west, then south-east, and head down through the trees towards Le Pessy.
You’ll come out onto Chemin des Grailleux, next to the “Les Roses des Bois” guesthouse, and reach the hamlet.
Cross the Route des Planches with care to return to the car park (S/E).

No water source along the route (fountain (S/E) in the hamlet of Le Pessy). Picnic tables and toilets (in summer) at Pré Cohandon.

Orientation table at the summit of La Banne d’Ordanche.

Accommodation / dining nearby:
– campsites: Le Panoramique (Pessy), Les Couderts (Pré Cohadon leisure area)
– restaurants in Murat-le-Quaire and La Bourboule
– lodges and guesthouses in both villages

Alternative route starting from Pré Cohandon: from the crossroads by the church in Murat-le-Quaire, take the D609 towards Banne d'Ordanche and Lac de Pré Cohandon. Park at the leisure area (campsite, lake, chalets) and head to the Chalet de la Banne (14). Take the path to the right of the Route de la Banne (PR® signpost) and head for the Impasse des Fougères, which you should follow eastwards to reach La Gacherie (1).

Short alternative route: a simple return trip to the summit of Banne d’Ordanche starting from the refuge (200m elevation gain, total time 1h30), or a circular route via the western slope (200m elevation gain, total time 2h). See https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-circular-of-the-banne-d-ordanche-depuis-le-/

La Banne d'Ordanche: situated in the Monts Dore massif, this volcanic peak rises to an altitude of 1,515 metres, above the village of Murat-le-Quaire. Its name derives from the word “banne” (Banà), which means “horn” in Auvergnat Occitan, referring to the site’s slender silhouette.
Part of the Monts Dore - Sancy range, this Strombolian-type volcano was formed by a trachyandesite eruption around 2 million years ago. Since then, it has been subjected to intense erosion caused by runoff, wind and, above all, frost action. The scree slopes on the southern flank date from the end of the Würm glaciation. Composed of basalt, this mountain gave its name to a volcanic magmatic rock, ordanchite, which is a type of tephrite.
Towards the end of the climb, a wooden staircase makes it easier for hikers and walkers to proceed. Enjoy the magical 360° view from the summit: the enamelled lava orientation table will guide your gaze towards the Puy de Sancy, the Puy Ferrand, the Puy Gros and the Charlannes plateau. Tip: head up there at sunrise or sunset.
Be careful! La Banne d’Ordanche is a summer grazing area where sheep graze on fresh grass during the summer season. To ensure the flock’s peace and quiet, keep your distance and walk around them, leaving the path if necessary. If you come across a Patou, a livestock guardian dog, stop and stay calm; speak to the dog without staring at it. If you have a dog, keep it on a lead and move away.
And on the south-eastern flank of the massif, you may spot areas of cattle grazing, mainly Salers cattle nearby; the Salers is a local breed of cattle with a burgundy-red coat. The Salers is a breed renowned for its meat.

The Auvergnat Tra: Auvergnattitude is passionately committed to reconstructing Auvergnat tras, a historic heritage structure typical of the Sancy and Cézallier regions (although some are found in the Monts Dôme and the Forez). The aim of this project is to raise awareness of these forgotten huts, the origins and true purpose of which, in all their diversity, are still difficult to ascertain. These structures undoubtedly date from the modern period, from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. They are most likely pastoral shelters linked to cattle summer grazing. However, the exact function of these ‘huts’ and the reason for their large number remain unknown. We will have to wait for further excavations to unravel the mystery. Please respect the site so that this project and the knowledge it yields can be accessible to as many people as possible!

Murat-le-Quaire is a hilltop village with beautiful houses built of volcanic stone.

La Bourboule is built along the banks of the Dordogne, at an altitude of 850 metres. A small town with Belle Époque charm, surrounded by greenery, it offers, just a short walk from a lively town centre, numerous hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sightseeing routes. Boasting water that boosts the immune system, the Thermes de la Bouboule offers treatments for respiratory conditions and skin ailments. It welcomes many spa guests every year, including very young visitors from as young as 6 months.

Nearby:

• Lake Guéry: the highest lake in Auvergne, with stunning views.
• Charlannes Plateau: cross-country skiing trails, walking paths, views of the Sancy.
• Puy Gros: lovely viewpoints over La Bourboule and the Sancy massif.