Lake Aydat and its heights via Mont Amant and Pierre Longue

Circular route starting from the edge of Lake Aydat, climbing slightly to enjoy views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy massif. Pass through hamlets with a few traditional houses and the Pierre Longue. This menhir owes its "original" name, compared to the multitude of other "standing stones", to the fact that it was lying down before being raised by merciful locals. That said, "menhir" in Breton means "long stone"!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.45 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 591 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 600 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,189 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,710 ft

Description of the walk

From Clermont-Ferrand, follow the D2089, exit towards La Cassière, cross La Cassière via the D90 and continue towards Aydat. At the roundabout, go straight on towards the centre of Aydat, still on the D90. The road runs alongside the lake on the left, then curves before returning to the lake shore. Continue a little further until you reach a small car park on the left-hand side of the road with an information panel about the wetland.

(S/E) Leave the car park heading north, following the road with the lake on your right. Continue along the road when it moves away from the lake at the restaurant and then when it approaches the lake again, staying above the lake.

(1) Here, it is advisable to use the Visorando app to cross the small wood. At the northern end of the lake, stay on the right-hand side of the road, leaving the campsite and then the donkey shelter on your right. Immediately afterwards, follow a path that branches off to the right into the forest and is marked "Ânes" (donkey trail for children in summer). Further on, at a fork, leave the donkey trail and follow the path to the left. Then go straight ahead, leaving the side paths behind, until you reach a road.

(2) Go straight ahead (towards "services routiers") ignoring the road that branches off to the right. At the T-junction, turn left towards the houses in the hamlet of Lot, continue to the next junction with a road, Route de Fohet, and turn right. Follow this road through the hamlet and cross the Veyre (covered wash house).

(3) Just after the bridge, take a path on the left to see an old oak tree growing in a rock, then retrace your steps.

(3) Continue along the road on the left for another 50 metres or so. Take the path on the right, which quickly joins a track, and follow it to the right. Ignore a track on the left at the bend, then a track on the right at the next bend. Continue climbing, ignoring two tracks on the left and then one on the right, keeping a generally southerly direction (beautiful unobstructed views).

(4) Pass just west of the summit of Mont Amant (972 m) and then begin to descend.

(5) At the T-junction, turn right, then bear left at the next fork. You will come to a road facing the Pierre Longue (a menhir that used to lie flat, hence its name). View of the Sancy massif.

(6) Cross the road and continue along the path opposite. Turn onto the first path on the right, descending towards the hamlet of Phialeix.

(7) At the intersection, turn right to cross the hamlet, cross the road (D788, Place des Mésanges), take the street opposite in front of the bus shelter, then turn right and follow Rue de Montament, which immediately turns left. Continue along this street, which quickly becomes a path as you leave the hamlet. At the T-junction, turn right.

(8) At the fork in the road, keep left (GR®, red and white markings). Take the first path on the left that descends towards the lake.

(9) At the intersection, leave the GR® and take the path on the left. Pass the drinking troughs below on the right and arrive at the hamlet of Poudure. Continue straight through the hamlet, following a small road towards the village of Aydat.

(10) At the junction, near Aydat town hall, take the D90 on the right and immediately turn right towards the church. The bell tower of the building is unremarkable, but the walls are older and fortified. The church is usually open and quite interesting inside, with some rather original keystones.

Walk past the church on your left towards the campsite entrance. Then turn left to follow the path, partly on duckboards, which crosses the wetland (observatories, information panels). At the end of this path, you will find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,766 ft - Wetland car park - Veyre (la, affluent de l'Allier)
  2. 1 : mi 0.8 - alt. 2,759 ft - Northern end of the - Lac d'Aydat
  3. 2 : mi 1.37 - alt. 2,740 ft - Trail x road intersection
  4. 3 : mi 1.69 - alt. 2,726 ft - Round trip to the oak tree
  5. 4 : mi 2.77 - alt. 3,189 ft - Mont Amant
  6. 5 : mi 3.13 - alt. 3,117 ft - Crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 3.74 - alt. 3,133 ft - La Pierre Longue
  8. 7 : mi 4.42 - alt. 3,114 ft - Phialeix
  9. 8 : mi 4.82 - alt. 2,969 ft - GR intersection
  10. 9 : mi 5.43 - alt. 2,825 ft - Trail intersection
  11. 10 : mi 6.04 - alt. 2,779 ft - Town hall - Église Saint-Sidoine d'Aydat
  12. S/E : mi 6.45 - alt. 2,749 ft - Wetland car park

Notes

Hike of moderate difficulty, leaning towards easy. Standard hiking equipment.

Worth a visit

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Photo album here

The lake, beautiful views from the heights. A beautiful oak tree in the hamlet of Lot. The church of Aydat. The wetland, observatories, information panels.

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.

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