Noirétable Lake and Puy de Rot

A gentle hike to start your holiday in the Forez mountains.

Details

339870
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.64 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 472 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 476 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,654 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,198 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Park at the Noirétable Lake car park. Follow the D110 southwards to the level crossing.

(1) After the level crossing, turn left onto the path that runs alongside the railway line to the hamlet of Le Bruchet.

(2) In the hamlet, take the tarmac road on the right, passing through the hamlet of Les Huttes whilst following the signposts marked 13.

(3) At a junction with a stone cross, turn right.

(4) Take the path on the right to climb up to the Puy du Rot. There would be a panoramic view of Noirétable were it not for the trees, but only part of it is visible. Turn back to rejoin the path, then turn right at the foot of the hill.

(5) Follow the road down to the right for 200 metres, then take the path opposite, under the trees, following signposts marked 14.

(6) At the entrance to the hamlet of Fresse, take the road on the left for 500 metres.

(7) Take the path on the right, cross the hamlet of Montcel, then follow the D110 to the right until you reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right and return to the starting point via the same route as on the way out (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,251 ft - Noirétable Lake car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 2,260 ft - Start of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.09 - alt. 2,205 ft - The hamlet of Le Bruchet
  4. 3 : mi 2.02 - alt. 2,464 ft - On the right, at the junction marked by a cross
  5. 4 : mi 2.59 - alt. 2,612 ft - Puy du Rot
  6. 5 : mi 2.98 - alt. 2,592 ft - Follow the road to the right
  7. 6 : mi 3.55 - alt. 2,346 ft - The hamlet of Fresse
  8. 7 : mi 3.87 - alt. 2,293 ft - Take the path on the right
  9. S/E : mi 4.64 - alt. 2,251 ft - Noirétable Lake car park

Notes

From (S/E) to (5), the route is signposted with small white and yellow signs bearing the number 13.

Make sure you bring water (no water points) and a sun hat (there isn’t shade everywhere).

Worth a visit

(S/E) Noirétable lake, where you can swim.

The Phaux Farm near the crossroads (5)

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
BRIDOMI
BRIDOMI

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

There was an organised hike that shared part of the route, which is why we encountered many walkers...

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marieh kozarevic
marieh kozarevic

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I am from Noirétable and I just want to point out that no one uses the name "Lac de Noirétable"; it is simply called "the lake"! I also wanted to warn you about the risk of taking the wrong turn when you say to turn right at a stone cross, because a little earlier on the route, there is also a path that branches off to the right next to a cross, but it is an iron cross.

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Minus
Minus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hiking during hay harvest season. The scents were wonderful.

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Delhay
Delhay

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Fine

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pascale pechberty
pascale pechberty

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I made a mistake right from the start. I was supposed to follow route 13, but I couldn't find it. I followed route 12 instead and had a wonderful hike in the woods on a mountain bike trail. I don't regret it, though, because the woods are beautiful and you pass by a farm with a stopover lodge. It was a really lovely hike of equivalent kilometres.

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ACA27
ACA27

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 25, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Certainly more pleasant in April than in February! An easy and enjoyable route. Except for the somewhat dreary start, the rest of the route offers beautiful views of the Forez mountains.

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chenayot
chenayot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

After a start in a not very pleasant environment, we climb the path to discover a very pretty panorama of the region. An easy walk, ideal for getting back into shape after winter.

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mano42
mano42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely, pleasant walk. Lots of paths. Description accurate.

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pierremichousaucet
pierremichousaucet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

excellent, well-marked walk

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