The Bourdouze and Montcineyre lakes from Les Chirouzes

The route starts just before the hamlet of Les Chirouzes on the D624, by a memorial stone commemorating one of the Maquis groups in the Besse region. You can park at the side of the road or behind the memorial stone.

(S/E) Take the path towards Lac de Boudrouze (yellow markings). This path winds through the meadows before entering a pine forest.

(1) When you reach a fork in the path in the woods, near a timber storage area, take the path leading down to the left. This path narrows until it becomes a faint track through the vegetation and woodland. Follow the edge between the woods and the wetland to reach Lake Bourdouze.

(2) Follow the path that runs alongside the lake to the information point and the car park entrance. Head back up towards the car park.

(3) Take the road on the left, towards Lac de Montcineyre.

(4) Turn right onto the path that descends almost directly opposite. Ignore the path that branches off to the left before entering the pine forest at the foot of the Puy de Montcineyre. Continue to the right, skirting the foot of the Puy de Montcineyre to reach the lake and its black-sand ‘beach’.

(5) Follow the path back in the opposite direction to the Lac de Bourdouze car park.

(3) Opposite this car park, a grassy path branches off to the left, running parallel to the road. Take this path to avoid having to continue along the road.

(6) Cross the road and continue straight ahead to the hamlet of Anglard.

(7) Do not enter the hamlet but go round it, taking the road on the right. Carry on until you reach the junction with another road.

(8) Turn right, keep right at the next junction, and return to the start of the route (S/E).

In Anglard, you can take a detour to the Vaucoux or Anglard waterfalls (return via the D127).