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Start near the bridge over the Auze, between Araules and Saint-Jeures; there are several parking spaces in the bend before the bridge.
(S/E) Leave the main road immediately, at the stone cross, heading south towards the hamlet of La Salce. The road becomes a track; follow it for 300 m to the “Roman” bridge (a common mispronunciation of “Roman”).
(1) This small two-arched bridge is next to a ford. Cross the river and follow the track for 200 m, slightly uphill. Here begins a somewhat difficult, little-used section where a small stream has carved out a shortcut, taking advantage of the track’s lack of maintenance. Stay on this path, ignoring a turn-off to the left. This section no longer appears on recent maps. It is possible to keep the ground a little drier by skirting the woods to the right,
After a short descent and a slight bend to the left, you’ll come to a slightly busier path ascending from the north. Continue up the steep slope to the right until you reach aPR® (yellow) marked path. From there to the foot of the Lizieux, pink markings will help guide you.
(2) Follow this to the right until you reach the point marked ‘source captée’ on the map, which is in fact just an underground reservoir; all you can see on the left at a crossroads is a vent pipe on a slightly raised manhole cover.
(3) At this point, take the unmarked path on the left heading south-east, straight on until you reach the road (formerly tarmac) that circles the Lizieux. Take the former road to the left and go straight on past the junction (on the left, a section is still tarmac). 100 m further on, you’ll reach an old car park.
(4) A few steps past the end of the car park, take the path that climbs to the right. This path used to be signposted and still features ‘composting markers’ set up to create various ‘treasure hunts’ across the Lizieux Massif. Follow it for 250 m, cross a forestry track, and continue slightly uphill to the forest road which bends at this point and which you do not take.
(5) There, you’ll find a picnic table and, next to it, a tiled area, the remains of the dismantled “refuge” hut. Continue along the path towards the south-east for about a hundred metres until you reach a brand-new reservoir (built in 2016). Just before this reservoir, turn right onto the old “north face” ascent of the Pic du Lizieux, which is no longer marked on maps. It is more difficult than the official routes but much more pleasant, winding through blueberry bushes and over rocks. The path is poorly marked; try to spot the cut branches, and in the rocks look for a small “clapier” (the local name for a glacial moraine); keep climbing, keeping to the left. The aim is to reach the flat area at the foot of the summit. You’ll need to use your hands in places, but there’s no danger.
(6) On the flat section, a good spot for a bivouac to watch the sun rise over the Alps. Otherwise, follow the blue-marked path to reach the summit of Pic du Lizieux. After the customary break, begin the descent, which is still marked, until you reach the junction with the forest road crossed earlier (point 5).
(7) Make a zigzag turn to take the path heading west. Follow it for less than 300 m, then let it veer off to the right and continue straight on, still heading west, between two patches of woodland, before coming out onto a granite-sand track, built at great expense a few years ago for training sled dogs but never put to use.
(8) Take this path to the right as far as the junction at elevation 1260 and continue down the steep descent towards the north-west. Halfway down this descent, you can reach a rocky outcrop on the right, offering a lovely view of Meygal. Rejoin the Route Forestière du Tour du Lizieux.
(9) Carry straight on to avoid the circular path to the left, then rejoin the marked path heading north.
(10) From here, if you have time, take a short detour to reach another rock offering superb views over the Auze valley. To do this, turn left and head north-north-west, following the route and the pink markers straight on to the next junction.
Return to the previous junction and turn left.
(3) After the water source, turn left and follow a recently cleared section of woodland (2021).
(2) You can, of course, follow the same route back, but I suggest a circular route, staying on the marked path, heading north. There’s just one house at the edge of the woods – that’s my place! (a 60-metre zip line available) 100 metres further on, at the fork, take the path that descends to the left and rejoin a tarmac road at the hamlet of La Bruyère.
(11) At the junction, turn left, join the B-road and continue left to return to the starting point (S/E).
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