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On leaving Montpezat, on the D 536, take the small road on the right leading to the hamlets of Le Mas and Le Fau. Park at the first bend: there is space for two or three vehicles.
(S/E) Retrace your steps to the main road and turn right for 50 metres. Leave the road and turn right onto the slightly uphill track (passing in front of a farm) for 150 metres.
(1) After the farm, turn left onto a track that winds upwards under the chestnut trees. The slope, which is steep at first, becomes gentler as it veers westwards.
(2) At a crossroads, leave the path leading down to the hamlet of Le Fau on your right and continue climbing this track: it is a magnificent old Roman road in excellent condition. Follow it for several kilometres, crossing a few streams (easy fords). The climb becomes steeper towards the end, with long hairpin bends, leading to the Croix du Pal crossroads.
(3) Enjoy the spectacular panorama behind you, facing east! Take the track on the right, which climbs gently for 150 metres. At the fork, continue straight ahead to the north-east; the track on the right will be used for the return journey. Walk first under the fir trees and then across open ground (enjoy the panoramic views on the right). At the intersection of four tracks, stay on the main track, which is well marked, and continue straight ahead until you reach the Les Oulettes signpost.
(4) Take the small tarmac road on the left for 150 metres, then leave it for a path on the left (under coniferous trees) which rejoins it a few hundred metres further on. Take it again on the left until you reach the Cros du Loup crossroads.
(5) At the crossroads (hiking signpost), descend the path on the left, which is steep at first and is also aGR® (red and white markings) and aGRP® (red and yellow markings).
(6) From the Croix du Pal junction, you will walk along the eastern and northern slopes of the Vestide du Pal volcano. At this point, you will enter the crater. You will come to the small road you crossed earlier. Leave it on your left and continue south on theGR® andGRP® trail. Shortly afterwards, ignore another trail leading off to the right. Then follow the young Fontaulière stream, which has its source here and flows through Montpezat before joining the Ardèche.
(7) At the crossroads, for a return trip, turn right at a right angle, cross the stream and climb north-west on a fairly difficult track: particularly unstable volcanic rocks. Ignore two paths branching off to the right, pass under the high-voltage line to arrive within sight of Lac Ferrand.
(8) This lake is private, belonging to the nearby Domaine Ferrand. Depending on the time of year (tourist season or not), you may or may not be able to walk around it. In any case, refer to the signs on the ground. This is also an ancient volcano. Retrace your steps.
(7) At this point, just like the Fontaulière river, you will exit the Vestide du Pal crater. Turn right to follow the stream to the south-west and join the D 536. Follow it on the left (do not cross the bridge) for 20 metres, then take the small tarmac road on the left leading to the hamlet of Le Pal. Cross this hamlet, continuing south to reach the Croix du Pal crossroads.
(3) At the crossroads, take the track on the left for 150m, then turn right onto a slightly downhill forest track with pleasant shade and superb views. Follow it, ignoring the various small paths that branch off.
(9) After a wide bend, take a path on the left, descending steeply, sometimes abruptly. You are now in the scree of the third volcano: Le Chambon. Look out for the markings on the trees; this path, which often winds its way through several small streams, will take you to the hamlet of Le Fau.
(10) Cross the hamlet and, at the exit, take the path on the left. Cross a small road and continue straight ahead on a gentle, pleasant slope through the meadows.
(1) Continue straight ahead, then turn left twice to return to your vehicle (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Easy 
