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From Saint-Jacques-des-Blats, heading towards Murat, turn off the main road to the right towards the hamlet of Les Gardes. Park on the right in the small car park just before the bend:parking in the hamlet is difficult, especially in summer, and is reserved for residents.
(S/E) Follow the road towards the hamlet.
(1) At the fountain, turn left. Follow the road for about 250 m; it turns into a track.
(2) Stay on the main track which branches off to the right; this is marked in yellow and red. After a steep climb and a series of hairpin bends, you’ll reach a metal gate marking the entrance to the mountain pastures.
(3) Go through it and make sure to close the gate properly. You will arrive at the Gardes reservoir.
(4) Head to the right, pass close to the Buron des Gardes and reach a junction.
(5) Take the path on the right and follow the stream towards the Plomb du Cantal.
(6) Start on a track that winds its way up towards the summit, passing under the cable car: this is the Georges Bouvet ski run.
(7) Once at the summit, follow the track heading to the right: you are now on the GR®400, marked in red and white. Pass the cable car station and the mountain restaurant, the "Refuge du Plomb".
(8) Pass to the right of the summit of Plomb du Cantal. Another option is to leave the GR® and take the steps to make the ascent. Continue on the GR®400 until you reach a junction directly below Puy Brunet.
(9) Turn left, staying on the GR®400, and reach the Col de la Pourtourne.
(10) Go straight on, cross the western flank of the Puy de la Cède and reach a crossroads.
(11) Leave the GR®400 and follow the path that branches off to the right above the Ferval valley, running alongside a barbed-wire fence before coming to another fence.
(12) Take a sharp right onto a small path that winds down into the valley and leads to the Buron de Ferval. This is not locked and can serve as a shelter in the event of a storm.
(13) Continue along the path to reach the ruins of an old buron (lo Plo).
(14) Continue down the path which runs above the Ruisseau de Ferval and reach the hamlet of the same name.
(15) The path, marked in yellow and red, passes to the right between a house and the fountain. You will reach a junction.
(16) Continue straight on along the path, ignoring the one that climbs steeply to the right. Cross a wooden bridge over the Castel del Neigre stream: there is a pretty waterfall on your right.
(17) Cross the bridge over the Delbarat Stream, pass in front of the Gardes mill and follow the track uphill to reach the hamlet of Les Gardes.
(1) Pass the fountain again and head right to reach the car park after the bend (S/E).
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