Lac des Pradeaux via The Shepherd's Hut at La Fayolle

This is a beautiful hike that is accessible due to its low elevation gain. You will set off to explore the Livradois-Forez plateaus on passable paths with plenty of shaded sections.

Details

38824668
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 168 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 162 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,347 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,194 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts from the village of Les Pradeaux. To park, coming from Saint-Anthème, park on the right just before the entrance to the village of Les Pradeaux. Coming from Ambert, drive through the village of Les Pradeaux and park on the left, just after the inn. The car park is also the starting point for the route.

Mountain bike trails 4 and 6

(S/E) From your parking spot, follow the path straight ahead towards thePR® Tour du Narrage. Follow the path for about 1.5 km until you reach the entrance to the woods.

(1) After a few metres into the woods, keep to your right and continue along this path until you reach the edge of the woods, where you will come to a crossroads.

(2) Do not follow the signs for Refuge de la Tuile on your right, but turn left instead. After about one kilometre, you will come to another intersection.

(3) Turn left towards Jasserie de la Fayolle. Continue along this path for 3.6 km. You will pass through Jasserie de la Fayolle and flat countryside. After about 2.8 km, walk through a pine forest for just over a kilometre until you reach an intersection.

(4) Turn left, heading south-southeast, and continue straight ahead to approach the lake.

(5) At the edge of the lake, turn right to go around the lake and continue on this path, which will take you back to Les Pradeaux. On the descent into the woods, you will reach an intersection.

Off mountain bike trail

(6) Do not follow mountain bike routes 4 and 6, continue on the left. The path leads to the village of Les Pradeaux. Turn left onto the D996, pass in front of the inn and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,194 m - Parking near the inn.
  2. 1 : km 1.45 - alt. 1,281 m - Intersection in the forest
  3. 2 : km 2.85 - alt. 1,333 m - Exit from the forest
  4. 3 : km 3.79 - alt. 1,323 m - Towards Jasserie de la Fayolle
  5. 4 : km 7.44 - alt. 1,336 m - Intersection in the woods
  6. 5 : km 8.61 - alt. 1,280 m - Lake shore
  7. 6 : km 11.24 - alt. 1,245 m - Intersection
  8. S/E : km 11.81 - alt. 1,194 m - Parking near the inn.

Notes

Along the route, you will encounter several streams for those equipped with a water filter; otherwise, there are no drinking water points on the route.
The paths are in good condition, so a pair of hiking boots or trainers will suffice.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 19817280

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike with a section alongside the Pradeaux dam, ideal for a picnic by the water.
We did this hike on a beautiful sunny day.
The starting point for the hike is the car park by the road just after the Pradeaux inn as you leave the hamlet.

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User 13277901

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

The description no longer matches the property. A lot of forestry work has been done. It's a shame, because it's a wonderful walk with lots of flowers and blueberries... and varied, stunning scenery.

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mivivi
mivivi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Interesting route but not enough places to picnic

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MJO'
MJO'

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike for this lovely autumn day. Not very busy.

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KDec
KDec

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat disappointing hike at the start, but more interesting as you approach the lake.
Beautiful view of the lake once you reach the forest.
Didn't meet many people for August, but the heat was very bearable.

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Minus
Minus

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant route with most of the course shaded.

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mustangdolpo
mustangdolpo

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

Incorrect description of the entrance, which misled us from the outset!
It is marked in bold: mountain bike trails 4 and 6. We thought we had to follow it, but that's not the case!
Following it, we took a path that veered slightly to the left (which took us to the foot of the dam) when we should have gone straight towards 1. Therefore, the misleading "mountain bike trail markers 4 and 6" should be removed.
Please correct this.
Roger

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