The Catou trail

A beautiful hike, lovingly mapped out in the heart of the Cantal between the castles of Chambres and Mazerolles.

Details

3994685
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.24 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 105 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 106 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 739 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 646 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Mauriac, head towards Drugeac and follow the signs for La Roche de Chambres, then Chambres, and park in the village of Chambres.

(S/E) Opposite the castle, turn right and continue towards Chambres Bas. When you see the three crosses, leave the road and take the path that veers slightly to the right. A sign for "Sentier du Catou" marks the start of the route, which is a little steep.

(1) After the climb, turn left and follow the stone wall that winds its way through the meadows. Keep going in the same direction until you reach the RD38.

(2) Cross the road and continue almost opposite. After 50 metres, take the path that branches off to the right towards Mazerolles. This leads to a small road.

(3) Continue to the left, crossing the hamlet of Mazerolles. Watch out for the noisy dog at the entrance to the hamlet (usually kept on a leash).

(4) Walk past the Château de Mazerolles on your left. The château was built in 1580 and consists of a large medieval-style keep that was still inhabited a few years ago. Continue straight ahead until you reach the D38.

(5) Follow the road to the right with caution until you reach the bend to the right.

(6) Take the stone-lined path that climbs to the left towards a small farm.

(7) Walk past a beautiful mansion on your left, then keep left and continue along the road towards the Château de Chambres, admiring the view of the Puy Violent. Reach the small car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 687 m - Small car park.
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 731 m - Fork to the left
  3. 2 : km 2.52 - alt. 736 m - Route D38
  4. 3 : km 3.18 - alt. 716 m - Road junction
  5. 4 : km 3.86 - alt. 659 m - Château de Mazerolles
  6. 5 : km 4.47 - alt. 646 m - Route D38
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 690 m - Path on the left
  8. 7 : km 5.65 - alt. 689 m - Manor house
  9. S/E : km 6.24 - alt. 687 m - Small car park.

Notes

No water source. Cows present on the route, contained by stone or electric fences.

Worth a visit

The Salins waterfall (towards Saint-Martin-Valmeroux) and, of course, the magnificent medieval village of Salers.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 21437038

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Beautiful landscapes. Passing through pretty hamlets. A bit too many paved roads in the second half

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Josy Garrot
Josy Garrot

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Too many tarmac roads

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Josy Garrot
Josy Garrot

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

Too many tarmac roads on the last part of the route. A pity.

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Gisèle Lallement
Gisèle Lallement

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I loved this route... short, varied landscapes and old stones, very pleasant and without any difficulty.

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Nord262e
Nord262e

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route through woods, undergrowth and country lanes with beautiful views and no great technical difficulty.
A short section of road (approx. 500-600 m) over the 6.5 km.
Very pretty château in Mazerolles with farm buildings that deserve to be showcased; somewhat hidden by the surrounding wall.
There are also some beautiful buildings in La Chambre.
Route tracked by GPS, so no comments on signposting.

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Vstrom
Vstrom
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
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. We really enjoyed the sunken paths, the beautiful buildings and the magnificent views of Puy Mary. There is just one section of road between 5 and 6 where you need to be careful, but otherwise the route follows paths and small village streets. You can combine this hike with the "Salin waterfall" hike by turning left just before Mazerolles Castle (there is a wooden sign indicating "salin", but it is not very visible ). The total distance is about 12 km, but if you are up for it, it is really worth it (but this time it is moderately difficult).
Thank you for this beautiful hike.

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Ninja 36
Ninja 36

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy and pleasant hike. Beautiful heritage sites to see. Well-maintained paths. We really enjoyed it.

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Yves Noizet
Yves Noizet
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike along the Moulergues stream in Pleaux (15) at the end of a lovely afternoon.
A beautiful hike, partly through the woods, which is easy to follow once you understand that 'Chambres-bas' is higher than 'Chambres', which gives you the right sense of direction for this circular route.
Pretty villages, pretty castles and beautiful views!!!! Very nice.
Thank you for this beautiful hike.

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Marwick
Marwick
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant evening walk. Peaceful, wooded and well maintained, with excellent signposting.

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beauvillage
beauvillage
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in a 'secret' area, far from the main roads of the Cantal. Chambres and Mazerolles are small villages typical of the old Cantal region, nestled in the foothills. The stone-lined paths offer views of the Cantal massif. In Mazerolles, you can significantly extend the length of the hike by taking a circular route marked on a wooden signpost pointing towards Cascade de Salins.

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