Circular Lac Chauvet starting from Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues

Starts from Place de la Poste (car park), in the centre of Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues.

Signposts are located at major junctions.

‘Volcano’ signposting (on one side only)

(S/E) From the square, with the post office on your left, take the street on the left. At the first junction, go straight on towards Lac Chauvet. At the second junction, turn right into Impasse/Lotissement Élie Cledel.

Red and white markings + ‘volcano’ signposting (one-sided)

(1) When the road bends sharply to the left (EDF substation), leave it and take a shaded path that climbs to the right. Cross the D128 with care and continue straight ahead along a shaded path that climbs quite steeply. You’ll reach an archaeological site dating from the Celtic period (information board; metal gate).

(2) Go through the gate (remember to close it behind you) and continue straight on along the shaded path. You’ll come out onto another path in open country; follow it to the left. Cross a stream by wading across or using a footbridge. Pass through a gap in a fence and continue across a meadow running alongside a hedge. Ignore a path coming from the left.

Red and white + green and white + yellow markings + ‘volcano’ signposting (one-sided)

(3) At the T-junction (signpost), turn right onto a very narrow road.

(4) At the next junction, cross the D128 again and continue straight on along the Chemin de la Chaud. Follow this stony path, which is flat or gently uphill. Cross the first stream by fording or using a footbridge, then ford the second.

(5) At a T-junction, turn right.

Red and white + green and white + yellow markings

At the junction shortly afterwards, go straight on and pass through the hamlet of Dressondeix, ignoring a small road branching off to the left.

(6) At a three-way junction (signposted ‘Dressondeix’), turn slightly right onto a path that climbs gently between two low walls of large stones.

Red and white + green and white markings

(7) At the fork in the road further on, take the left-hand path, which continues to climb. Walk through a beautiful beech forest.

(8) Pass through an electric fence (close it behind you if it was already closed) and enter a summer pasture (with a view of the Puy de Sancy straight ahead). Cross the summer pasture along a path marked by signposts (if you need to go round a herd, take a parallel path on the right, running alongside the fence). Cross a stream and continue along the path.

(9) Use the first step-over to cross a fence, leave the summer pasture and enter another beech forest. Follow a faintly marked path downhill. Then turn left and continue along a wider track.

(10) Shortly afterwards, use a second ladder to cross over a fence, then head downhill through a beech and fir forest (on the right, you can catch a glimpse of Lake Chauvet through the foliage). Cross a stream by wading or using a footbridge and continue downhill until you reach the shore of Lake Chauvet.

Red and white + green markings

(11) At the signpost, turn sharply left and follow the GR®30 towards Picherande (see an alternative return route in the practical information section). Take a stony track, re-enter the forest and walk along a flat or gently sloping path.

(12) At a three-way junction, turn left and head downhill. Leave the forest and continue along a gravel track (view of the Sancy massif on the right).

(13) At a T-junction, turn right (see an alternative route in the practical information section). At the next junction, turn left towards Picherande and head downhill. You’ll come out onto a small road; follow it to the left and you’ll soon reach a Fork in the road.

Red and white markings

(14) Then turn left towards Saint-Genès-Champespe and head slightly uphill. After the last house, the tarmac gives way to a stony track. After a slight incline, head down a fair way into a woodland.

(15) Join the D128 and follow it to the left, climbing gently. Further on, enter the hamlet of La Renonfeyre.

No signposting

(16) Cross the hamlet, staying on the main road (ignore the GR® heading off to the right). Ignore a small road on the left, turn right and leave the hamlet. Walk for a long time downhill alongside the D128, passing the localities of Sougeat-la-Souze (keep to the right), Charjoux and La Chaud. This will take you back to a junction you passed at the start of the walk.

Signposting: Red and White + Green and White + Yellow

(4) Then turn right onto the Chemin de la Manne (a very narrow road).

Red and white markings

(3) At the signpost, turn left towards Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues and head downhill. At the Fork in the road that appears immediately, follow the GR®4 to the left. A few dozen metres after crossing a stream, turn right onto a shaded path.

(2) Go through the metal gate and head downhill. Cross the D128 with care and continue downhill on the opposite side.

No signposting

(1) You’ll emerge at a hairpin bend in a street; follow it to the left. At the junction, turn left and go straight on to the Place de la Poste (S/E).

Hiking boots are recommended.

No water sources identified along the route. There is a bakery and a grocery shop in the centre of Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues, near Place de la Poste (S/E).

Warning
Between (8) and (9), the route crosses a mountain pasture where, from mid-May to mid-October, a herd of cattle may be grazing. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and you must remain calm when near the animals.

Alternatives
The circular route includes a long tarmac section between (15) and (4). Those who dislike tarmac may take either of the two alternatives below.
- At Lac Chauvet (11), follow the outbound route in the opposite direction. Compared to the circular route, this is 2 km shorter and has a similar elevation gain.
- At the T-junction (13), turn left towards Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues (signposted). Follow the route marked with purple dashes on the map to the “Dressondeix” signpost (6). Then follow the outward route in the opposite direction to the Place de la Poste (S/E). Variation not tried by the author.

A detailed map is useful (at the very least, the one accompanying this description).

Walk completed by the author on 10 August 2026.

- Archaeological site (2).
- Lac Chauvet (11).
- Beautiful views of the Sancy massif and the Monts du Cézallier.