The Cirque d'Impramau

From Recusset, take the small road that joins the nature trail; there is a car park just before the sign prohibiting access to the track.

(S/E) Head back to the start of the interpretive trail, follow the GR®400 markings to reach a small wooden bridge.

(1) Once past the bridge, follow a path on the left which climbs straight up the slope until you cross a track; follow this track to the left. You will soon come to a fence blocking the track.

(2) Go through the fence (remember to close it behind you) and walk along its left-hand side for about twenty metres; there is no visible path over these 20 metres. You will then find a path that branches off to the left and runs roughly parallel to the track below, then begins to climb towards the ridge at a ruin. You’ll come to a first fence to cross, then a second one that takes you onto the ridge line.

(3) Turn right and follow the ridge separating the Mars and Maronne valleys along a single track for about 1.5 km, with some very beautiful views. Blue markings.

(4) When you reach a fence crossing, do not follow the blue and white/red markings to the right, but head straight south-east across the mountain pasture. You can make out the path climbing further up to the right beneath the Roc des Ombres.

(5) When you reach the pass (often covered in snow in spring), continue climbing south-east towards a second pass which will allow you to go round the Roc des Ombres via the southern slope.

(6) From there, you can see almost the entire Cantal volcanic range: Puy de la Tourte, Puy Mary, Peyre Arse, Plomb du Cantal, Puy Griou, Chapeloune, Roc d’Hozières, Roche Taillade, Puy Chavaroche... Continue climbing up the southern slope to the right; in places, the path may be daunting for those with a fear of heights, but there are no real difficulties. The path does not go all the way to the summit, but access to it is quick and easy. When the path turns north again, you are on the Brèche d’Enfloquet (often covered in snow in spring).

(7) From the pass, leave the path that continues westwards and head down the north face towards the summer pasture. Before rejoining the path taken on the ascent, take a path on the left leading towards the recently built Impramau sheepfold.
From the sheepfold, the rest of the route is off-trail, keeping parallel to the fence on the left. Cross several streams and go over several fences, which you sometimes have to look for.

(8) When you reach an unlikely mobile home, head down towards the north-east, passing a first ruin, then a second where you join the Recusset nature trail; follow this westwards, marked in blue, through the mountain pasture, then through a beech forest until you reach the road and the car park (S/E).

In winter the route is generally snow-covered; in spring, some snowfields on the north face of the Roc de Labro and the Brèche d’Enfloquet may make the passage difficult.
Not recommended in foggy weather.
Dogs are not permitted during the summer grazing season.
Please remember to close all gates you pass through.
You may encounter guard dogs; please walk around the herds.

The actual elevation gain is 490m