The Cabrespine crossing

de fr

A day's walk in magnificent surroundings, using theGR® trails in the area. We are within sight of Puy Chavaroche and Puy Mary.

Details

n°4931
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 875 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 871 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,593 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 889 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

View from the ridge
View of the Jordanne Valley
Buron de Cabrespine
The Buron de Cabrespine

Description of the walk

Departure from St Julien de Jordanne. Park your vehicle in the car park near the church.

(S/E) Cross the road and head down towards La Jordanne. Cross the bridge and, 100 m further on, take theGR® on the right towards Mandailles. Follow the tarmac road and then the path that follows it until you reach the entrance to Mandailles.

(1) At the first houses, turn left to climb towards Puy Chavaroche. The climb is steep and long!

(2) At the intersection, turn left and join the ridge at Le Piquet.

(3) At the end of winter, if there is still snow under the signpost, stay on the ridge line at the edge of the woods and climb directly to the summit above the signpost. See photo.

When you reach the Piquet, take theGR®400on the left towards Cabrespine and the Col de Legal. TheGR® follows the ridge line and descends to the Buron de Cabrespine.

(4) After a small pass below the Buron, theGR® climbs back up and goes around the Puy de Bassierou.

(5) At the highest point, you will see the Col de Legal below on your right.

(6) At the next intersection in a right-hand bend, continue straight ahead on theGR® so as not to descend to the pass via the track.

(7) The trail descends and enters the woods on the left. A little further on, theGR® trail enters the woods on the left. Follow the markers carefully as the trail is only visible once you are on it.
At the edge of the woods, the trail descends steeply towards Levers and Aubusson.

(8) At the track, turn left at a 180° angle. The route levels out and joins a small road above La Reveilladie.

(9) Turn left and continue along the mountainside until you reach the junction with the D246, which will take you straight to the car park at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 889 m - Parking near the church on the edge of the - Jordanne (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.59 - alt. 933 m - Intersection at Mandailles.
  3. 2 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,188 m - Intersection.
  4. 3 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,542 m - Le Piquet
  5. 4 : km 7.08 - alt. 1,373 m - The Buron de Cabrespine.
  6. 5 : km 8.52 - alt. 1,387 m - Bypass the Puy de Bassierou
  7. 6 : km 8.94 - alt. 1,378 m - Intersection with the trail leading to the Col de Legal.
  8. 7 : km 9.44 - alt. 1,327 m - The trail descends and enters the woods
  9. 8 : km 11.29 - alt. 1,037 m - Intersection of the track above Levers.
  10. 9 : km 13.62 - alt. 982 m - Intersection with the small road to La Reveilladie
  11. S/E : km 15.95 - alt. 889 m - Parking near the church in - Saint-Julien-de-Jordanne

Notes

A medium-altitude hike. Be prepared for significant changes in weather and temperature. Snow patches on the route until the end of May. The photos were taken on 1 May 2012.
Refreshments available at Col de Legal, a 15-minute detour.
Refuge with very basic facilities at Buron de Cabrespine.
This hike can be done in a day or half a day for experienced walkers.

Worth a visit

Le Puy Mary and the Monts du Cantal.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 36 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Maria Yoga
Maria Yoga

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done before dawn so we could watch the sun rise over the lead.
The climb took longer than expected, about 10 minutes longer!
It was definitely worth it. Majestic views from up there. Wind strong enough to knock you off your feet and complete solitude.
I descended as indicated to Lioran despite the hunters everywhere...
But I decided to take the GR400 route to reach the summit on its western slope.
The second climb was a bit tough, but it was worth it.
Be careful on the ladder section on windy days, as it can be a bit tricky.
I descended via the ski post as described, which was indeed uninteresting except for the cows present.
18 km in 5 hours.
If I hadn't done the GR section, it wouldn't have been anything special.

Machine-translated

User 26874758

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route

Machine-translated

User 15728751

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in the opposite direction, following the existing, very well-marked trail.

Machine-translated

craig21
craig21

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We start in Mandailles on a path that looks like a dry stream bed, so wear good shoes, it's bumpy ^^. It climbs and climbs and never stops climbing, but once you get to the top, the view is breathtaking, what a treat! I'm not posting any photos so as not to spoil the surprise. The plateau is passable, and walking past the two burons is poetic and pleasant. The descent is good for the knees, but you'll need a bit of strength to put the barbed wire back in place at the crossing points because the space is small and with a big backpack, don't even try it :) .
Before reaching St Julien, be sure to follow the route carefully, otherwise you'll have to walk 2 km back along the departmental road, which isn't great and spoils the end of the hike. But it's really difficult at the beginning for an extraordinary spectacle up there. I recommend it. I saw a chamois from very close by, just before returning to St Julien.

Machine-translated

TOLLA
TOLLA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike. Very few people. Breathtaking views. We did it in 6 hours and didn't find it difficult.

Machine-translated

Mvadrouille
Mvadrouille

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a very beautiful hike.
I did it in the first half of May when it was cool, rainy, and foggy in the morning, with the sun coming out after the restored Buron thanks to Stéphane Bern's mission.
It's the perfect season to admire nature in bloom. The herds haven't yet arrived in the summer pastures.
I shared the climb to the Col du Piquet with the FRANCE de TRAIL teams, which caused an exceptional traffic jam.

Machine-translated

biscardel
biscardel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A remarkable circuit that actually measures 17 km from Mandailles to Mandailles. It largely follows the GR 400, except for the descent to Mandailles, where the signposting becomes a little sparse. Towards the bottom, the Saint Julien option is rather difficult to find.
The landscapes are magnificent

Machine-translated

ericmartial
ericmartial

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

hike done by mistake in the opposite direction to the directions given; otherwise, very beautiful landscapes, especially during the descent at the end of the route, but in August this seems logical

Machine-translated

Anne12
Anne12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Wonderful in every way, the weather was ideal for hiking, the scenery fantastic, with a good climb followed by the pleasure of walking along the ridge. It's also the perfect season to enjoy the blueberries that grow in abundance in this area.

Machine-translated

alex_aurelie
alex_aurelie

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in rainy and windy weather. A challenging hike that is well worth the effort! But as mentioned in the description, beware of changes in weather and temperature!

The route on the ground was more reliable than the written descriptions and the map, which we found too vague:
"Cross the bridge and, 100 metres further on, take the GR® on the right". It's not 100 metres, it's immediately after the bridge, 20 metres away.
"At the first houses, turn left (1)". This is not quite at the first houses, but once you have entered Mandailles, after passing several houses, follow the PR3 (green signposting) which climbs up to the left.
"At the intersection (2), turn left and join the ridge at Piquet (3)". This is a crossroads of several hiking and mountain biking trails located just after a field (you have to cross the field enclosure). It is not on the left but opposite, a narrow path that climbs immediately.

Machine-translated

Dalla Zanna Maryse
Dalla Zanna Maryse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, quite physically demanding, but the reward is the breathtaking views from the ridges. We were lucky enough to see vultures at the Col de Piquey

Machine-translated

Clement C
Clement C

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed at the end of March in the hills above the Cabrespine Pass, with significant snow patches and then a wall of snow at Cassaïre, blocking access to Piquet.
There is a path downhill near the Cabrespine Pass to avoid having to return by the same route. Arrival in the commune of St Julien via a place called 'Lavaissière'

Enjoy your hike!

Machine-translated

kvandewiel
kvandewiel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk.
The route is well chosen, with a fairly strenuous climb at the start and a gentler descent at the end, which is easier on the knees.
We did it over a good half day with a picnic and several stops to enjoy the scenery.

Machine-translated

francois dnu
francois dnu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike, challenging but offering spectacular scenery. Recommended for experienced hikers.

Machine-translated

Mat Hieu
Mat Hieu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful and very pleasant hike, especially the climb up to the ridges. At the top, you can leave the trail and climb up to the right to Puy Chavaroche. The view is superb. Then turn around to resume the route.
The passage along the ridge is nice until you reach the Cabrespine buron. At this point, given the comments about the descent, I chose to cut across by going straight down after the buron. The passage through the forest is tricky as it is very slippery and steep until you rejoin the route between points 8 and 9 on the map.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Mandailles - Le Lioran

Visorando Member
Mandailles - Le Lioran
↔12.54 km ↗+693 m ↘-388 m ◔5h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
Stage 5 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400A forest stage (therefore shaded) with two potential climbs: the Puy de l'Usclade and the Puy Griou. * Editor's note: we have also decided not to follow the original GR®400 route, which makes a long detour to the Col de Pertus, which we don't think is worth the effort. We will reach the Col de Gliziou via the PR® (orange and green markings) which climb up the Ruisseau du Luc valley.

Walking Les Roches Folles

Visorando Member
Les Roches Folles
↔5.45 km ↗+277 m ↘-278 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
A short hike for residents of Mandailles who want to go for a walk without taking the car.

Walking From Larmandie to Liadouze

Visorando Member
De Larmandie à Liadouze
↔5.26 km ↗+227 m ↘-232 m ◔2h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
A short, fairly easy hike from the Puy Mary campsite in Mandailles, which allows you to walk in the hills east of the village and return via the Gorges de la Jordanne (when the water level allows).

Walking Puy Griou from Col du Pertus

Visorando Member
Le Puy Griou depuis le Col du Pertus
↔10.56 km ↗+514 m ↘-514 m ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
An easy, shaded approach to this iconic peak in the Monts du Cantal, with its perfect cone shape and superb views. However, the final climb is quite technical and challenging.

Walking Jordanne Valley from the Col du Pertus

Visorando Member
↔13.33 km ↗+486 m ↘-486 m ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
From the Col du Pertus, discover the village of Mandailles and the hamlets of Larmandie and Liadouze on the banks of the Jordanne. On both the outward and return journeys, gaps in the forest offer beautiful views of the valley, the Chavaroche and Puy Mary massifs, as well as the Gliziou and Puy Griou. Update 2025: see practical information

Walking Puy de l'Usclade from Col du Pertus

Visorando Member
Le Puy de l'Usclade depuis le Col du Pertus
↔6.81 km ↗+270 m ↘-270 m ◔2h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
Puy de l'Usclade is little known, but offers a beautiful view of Puy Griou and the other surrounding peaks. The first part of the walk, up to Col de Gliziou, is easy and shaded, and fairly busy, while the second part is less frequented and ends with a steeper section.

Walking Élancèze from the Col du Pertus

Visorando Member
L'Élancèze depuis le Col du Pertus
↔3.36 km ↗+262 m ↘-262 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
This is a fairly easy short hike to a beautiful promontory offering a panoramic view of the main Monts du Cantal and the Jordanne and Cère valleys.

Walking Jordanne Valley via Élancèze and Courpou Sauvage

Visorando Member
↔12.90 km ↗+849 m ↘-852 m ◔6h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mandailles-Saint-Julien (Cantal)
Starting from the Col du Pertus, climb quickly to the heights for a long walk along the ridge, which offers beautiful views. Then discover a few villages in the Jordanne valley before climbing back up to the pass through the pastures.The Visorando app is useful for following this route at the end of the walk.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.