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On leaving Montpezat, on the D536, take the small road on the right leading to the hamlets of Le Mas and Le Fau. Park at the first bend: there’s space for two or three vehicles.
(S/E) Retrace your steps to the main road, then turn right onto it and follow it for 50 metres. Leave the road and turn right onto the gently ascending track (passing in front of a farm) for 150 metres.
(1) After the farm, turn left onto a track winding its way uphill beneath the chestnut trees. The slope, which is steep at first, becomes gentler further on as it veers westwards.
(2) At a junction, leave the path leading down to the hamlet of Le Fau on your right and continue climbing along this track: it is a magnificent ancient 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 junction.
(3) A vast panoramic view lies behind you, facing east! Take the track on the right, which climbs gently for 150 metres. At this point, at the fork, continue straight on towards the north-east; the track on the right will be used for the return journey. Walk first beneath the fir trees and then through open countryside (enjoy the views to the right). At a junction of four tracks, stay on the main one – which is well signposted – and carry on straight ahead to the ‘Les Oulettes’ signpost.
(4) Turn left onto the small tarmac road for 150 metres, then leave it to take a path on the left (under a canopy of conifers) which rejoins the road a few hundred metres further on. Take the road again on the left until you reach the Cros du Loup junction.
(5) At the junction (hiking signpost), head down the path immediately to the left – which is initially steep – following theGR®® (red and white markings) andGRP®® (red and yellow markings) routes.
(6) From the Croix du Pal junction, you have been walking along the eastern and northern slopes of the Vestide du Pal volcano. At this point, you enter the crater. You’ll join the small road you’ve already crossed. Let it branch off to the left, and continue due south along theGR®® and GRP®® path. Shortly afterwards, ignore another path branching off to the right. You will then follow the very young Fontaulière stream, which has its source here and flows through Montpezat before joining the Ardèche.
(7) At the junction, for a round trip, turn right at a right angle, cross the stream and head north-west up a rather difficult track: the volcanic rocks are particularly unstable. Ignore two paths branching off to the right, pass under the high-voltage power line to come within sight of Lac Ferrand.
(8) This lake is private; it belongs to the nearby Domaine Ferrand. Depending on the time of year (tourist season or not), you may (or may not) be able to walk all the way round it. In any case, refer to the information boards on site. It is also an ancient volcano. Retrace your steps.
(7) At this point, just like the Fontaulière stream, you are emerging from the Vestide du Pal crater. Turn right to follow the stream south-westwards and join the D 536. Follow it to 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. Pass through this hamlet, continuing due south to reach the Croix du Pal junction.
(3) At the crossroads, follow the track to the left for 150 metres, then turn right onto a gently sloping, pleasantly shaded forest track offering superb views. Follow this track, ignoring the various small paths branching off.
(9) After a wide bend, take a path on the left, which descends steeply, at times quite abruptly. You are now in the scree of the third volcano: the Chambon. Keep a close eye out for the markings on the trees; this path, which often winds in hairpin bends and crosses several small streams, takes you to the hamlet of Le Fau.
(10) Walk through the hamlet and, as you leave, take the path on the left. You’ll cross a small road; continue straight on along a gentle, pleasant slope through the meadows.
(1) Carry on straight ahead, then turn left twice to return to your car (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
