The Cirque de la Fontaine Salée from Mont

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This loop trail with little elevation gain takes you along beautiful paths through meadows, forests and summer pastures to the heart of the Fontaine Salée glacial cirque, in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve at the foot of the Sancy. Best done in clear weather.

Details

n°5195528
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,040 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,040 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,459 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,589 ft
Downloads
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Photos

bucolic
croix and Sancy
The drystone shelters, Chastreix
Virgin of Ménial

Description of the walk

Park at the entrance to the hamlet of Le Mont, in the communal car park.

(S/E) Follow the tarmac road leading out of the hamlet.

(1) Continue along the road and head uphill to a junction marking the end of the road.

(2) Take the track leading uphill to the right. It then emerges from the forest, climbs and passes close to a mast and a house. Head back down to the hamlet of Ménial.

(3) Follow the road to the left. After about 400 m, just after a bridge, turn left onto theGR®®30(red and white markings) and walk through the hamlet of La Morangie.

(4) At the junction, turn left, still following theGR®®. Head uphill through the forest, occasionally passing through open areas offering lovely views. Then head back down to a junction of paths.

(5) Leave theGR®® and take the path branching off to the left. Cross a series of wooden footbridges. The path, which is not easy to spot, crosses an area of peat bogs before reaching a spruce forest currently being restored by the Reserve (Montagne du Mont Sensitive Natural Area).

(6) Follow the signposted path as it winds its way down through the woodland. Leave the woodland to rejoin a wide track and pass close to the Buron de Merdençon on your left: an unmanned refuge where you can have a picnic by the fire.

(7) Go through a gap in a fence and continue along the forest track (north).

(8) Turn left onto a path that descends through a beautiful beech forest.

(8) The path descends before climbing again to a junction of paths.

(9) Carry on straight ahead until you reach a gate.

(10) Go through the gate, taking care to close it behind you. Pass through an open area offering a lovely view of the village, cross a footbridge and follow the path uphill to another junction by an electricity pole not far from a house.

(11) Turn right onto a shaded path that winds between two summer pastures (this section of the path up to the Mont has been restored by the ‘Chemins et patrimoine au pays des Toupis’ association – ‘Toupis’ is the name given to the inhabitants of Chastreix).

(12) Walk past the entrance to the Terre d’Horizon building and continue westwards along the path. Walk gently back down to the road.

(1) Follow the road to the right and you’ll soon reach the Mont car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,589 ft - Car park at the entrance to Mont
  2. 1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 3,612 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.89 - alt. 3,839 ft - End of the tarmac road
  4. 3 : mi 1.94 - alt. 3,901 ft - Ménial
  5. 4 : mi 2.43 - alt. 3,990 ft - La Morangie
  6. 5 : mi 3.84 - alt. 4,396 ft - Path junctions
  7. 6 : mi 4.13 - alt. 4,442 ft - Spruce forest
  8. 7 : mi 5.5 - alt. 4,193 ft - Cattle grids after the - Gagne (rivière)
  9. 8 : mi 5.9 - alt. 4,242 ft - Junction
  10. 9 : mi 6.5 - alt. 3,871 ft - Crossroads
  11. 10 : mi 6.69 - alt. 3,842 ft - Cattle gate
  12. 11 : mi 6.86 - alt. 3,875 ft - Les Lades
  13. 12 : mi 7.23 - alt. 3,812 ft - Drystone shelters
  14. S/E : mi 7.87 - alt. 3,589 ft - Car park at the entrance to Mont

Notes

Dogs are not permitted on this route, even on a lead, as most of it is situated within the Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve. Picking wild plants and camping are prohibited.
Best undertaken in clear weather; stay on the paths and follow the Visorando signposts carefully, as numerous paths intersect in certain places and you will be passing close to fragile wetlands which must not be trampled on.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Magnificent views from the peaks.
There is a spring along the route.
You can take shelter at the Buron de Merdençon (tables, chairs, beds, wood-burning fire).
Café Terre d’Horizon, 500 metres from the finish, open 4pm–8pm at weekends and during school holidays.
Nature Reserve offices in the village of Chastreix (exhibitions, information).

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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 39 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 18417336

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello
When you reach the wooded area, the route isn’t clear as there are two possible options

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amclg
amclg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike starting from a place called Le Mont. Part of the route runs through woodland, so you don’t feel the heat at that time of day. Magnificent scenery, with plenty of flowering broom towards the end. I did it again in the opposite direction, starting from the car park at the Chastreix Sancy resort (which is near a hairpin bend), combining the marked route with the Mont trail and enjoying some other superb views!

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User 13957728

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, without any major difficulties, offering splendid views all along the way. Perfect for a complete change of scenery when you don't have time to climb the ridges

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Did63
Did63
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The landscape was superb, with different views of the Sancy.
The problem remains the signposting, which is very difficult to decipher and sometimes non-existent.

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x67
x67

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice route, but the GPX track is a bit off from the second part onwards towards point 8, where it starts to drift, and the last few trails are not on the track at all.
It should be done in dry weather, as indicated, because even a little rain two days earlier is enough to make some of the trails very muddy, with few alternative routes.
Can be done on a trail without any problems (if dry)
And thanks to @Leparoux for the description of point 8. I went back and forth a few times before finding the road, thanks to the comment

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bouco
bouco

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note: follow the route on the app as it is not signposted from the start at "Le Mont". The end of the hike has been diverted to the entrance to Chastreix, adding 1 km to the total distance. Otherwise, wonderful views of the Sancy.
No particular difficulty.

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User 10262266

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that the last part is not marked at all, or is very poorly marked.
A magnificent hike in an exceptional location.
I'm from the area, know the Sancy well and never tire of it...!!!

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User 10262266

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that the last part is not marked at all, or is very poorly marked.
A magnificent hike in an exceptional location.
I'm from the region, know the Sancy well and never tire of it...

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User 18382929

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with no difficulty.

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Parkside
Parkside

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the circuit in reverse, which was fortunate because the last 2 kilometres would have been tedious in the rain: the path is not maintained, and you have to push aside brambles and other overgrown branches. By taking it in the opposite direction, we had an hour's walk in the rain at the end of the hike, on roads suitable for vehicles or paved paths.

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Leparoux
Leparoux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, the landscape changes every moment...
Be careful at point 8: you need to turn left 100 metres before and follow the yellow signs.

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la barrutlaire
la barrutlaire

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hi
The source of the saltwater fountain that we were told was drinkable is difficult to find. It is at ground level under an embankment. We found it thanks to the reserve guard. It sparkles like Vals water. At point 8, you do indeed need to take a marked path 100 metres before the route on the map. As for the last part, the trail is superb but could do with some maintenance. Bonus: the Terre d'Horizons lodge opens at 4pm. Refreshments are available if you go through the gate. Thank you for this route

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mick15
mick15

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

very beautiful hike, pleasant and easy

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Terre d'Horizon
Terre d'Horizon

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. Regarding your comment about the last kilometre, farmers sometimes put a rope or something else across the path (which is communal) to transport their cows from point A to point B, and forget to remove it. The path is not closed, so it is still accessible. However, please make sure you close the gates properly, as otherwise the cows will escape and their owners may spend several hours trying to find them.
Have a good day

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Hubert58
Hubert58

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike from LE MONT near Chastreix. Only to be done in clear, sunny weather... this will allow you to enjoy the wonderful view of the Sancy. The cirque itself is splendid and grandiose. We have been hiking in this part of Auvergne for a long time and we did not know this route (at least for the most part).
Two small errors were noted:
1) be careful at POINT 8 on the description: after passing the creek, you cross the forest and then a wide forest path that descends into the valley; you need to leave this wide path by taking a small path on your left that descends steeply 200 m befor , as indicated on the map.
The last kilometre before returning to the starting point (points 11 and 12) is complicated and tedious: the path has been partially blocked and closed off by the owners of the neighbouring fields. But it is still passable.

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