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Parking and departure point at the Clos des Roziers car park next to the fountain at the highest point of Saint-Babel, at the junction of the D14 and D49.
(S/E) Immediately turn left west onto the Chemin des Estrigons and follow it to the D14. Take care when crossing near a bend.
(1) Continue straight ahead on the dirt track for 600 metres towards the west. When you reach the tarmac track leading to La Fontille near a bridge over the stream, take it uphill to the right for 150 metres and turn left onto the Promenade du Breuil until you reach the crossroads at the Roure transformer station.
(2) Turn right onto Quartier des Clos for 100 metres at the third intersection, then turn left towards Fourlabourque. At the Domaine de la Courtade, at the end of the tarmac road, continue, pass under the high-voltage line and climb up to the Croix de la Bardine crossroads.
(3) Turn right and follow this road for 1,500 metres through old sand and rare stone quarries. After the road turns into a stony path for 200 metres.
(4) Turn left to reach the recently restored stone mason's hut (with historical information inside). From here, there is an exceptional view of Issoire, Saint-Yvoine and the Monts Dore. Return the way you came.
(4) Turn left (west) and descend the stony path through the old arkose quarries. Follow the yellow markings to the outskirts of the village of Fontcrepon.
(5) Leave the marked path at the crossroads with the path leading down to Fontcrepon and turn sharply right, heading eastwards uphill to a coniferous forest, which you will follow to a crossroads. Continue right, heading uphill towards the Puy Rousset relay antenna.
(6) At the pass (676 m), take the time to admire the rare view covering a large part of the department: Cézallier, Monts Dore, Chaîne des Puys, Forez, Livradois... After enjoying the panorama, descend to the right (south-east), leaving theGRP® trail to your left. Pass under the high-voltage power line. After 1.5km, you will arrive at the village of La Fontille.
(7) Turn left towards the north-east, cross the bridge over the stream and climb back up for 150 m. Turn sharp right towards the south-east and follow the path between the copse and the fields for 600 m.
(8) At the bottom of the descent, turn left and enter the village of La Guelle. At the crossroads of Camino de Chanderoux and the Guelle crossing (at the watering hole), turn right and descend for 80 m. Turn left into Passage Méjean.
(9) At the D49, cross and continue straight ahead on Chemin Champ de Faye for 180 metres.
(10) Turn right onto Chemin de Saint-Jacques, which will take you back to the car park where you started (S/E).
a pleasant walk, nothing more
Visorando member
Easy 
