The Cistrières forest and its isolated hamlets

To get to the starting point from Brioude via the D19, take the D193, cut across the D588 and then, to the left of the D193, take a path towards Condat. Park near a cross before entering the hamlet.

(S/E) Head towards the cross. Take the path opposite that enters the woods and cross a road. Continue straight ahead, then turn right to follow the forest track.

(1) Cross the road leading to Pallayes, continue straight ahead and keep going in the same direction, ignoring the adjacent paths, until you come out a few metres from the D588.

(2) Follow the road known as Montchaud on the left.

(3) At the entrance to Le Faud, note the bell on the gable of a house by the roadside; this is the former house of La Béate. Continue along the road to the entrance to the hamlet of Montchaud.

(4) Leave the road and take the path on the left. You will come to a crossroads.

(5) Turn right towards Pallayes. Return to the tarmac road and continue to the triangular crossroads at the exit of the hamlet.

(6) Continue to the right and reach the crossroads with the small road connecting Chardet to Les Montilles.

(7) Turn left towards Les Montilles. Once in the hamlet,note the bell in the village square, which comes from the Maison de la Béate.

(8) Turn left and follow the road back to the car park (S/E).

Forestry work is altering the paths. Do not be surprised if the route of the walk deviates from the cadastral map.