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The start is at the Col du Béal between Vertolaye and Chalmazel.
(S/E) Descend the D40 for 300m to find a variant ofthe GR®3marked in red and white.
(1) Take this path on the left, heading south-east. You will soon come to a wider path, which you should take towards the south. Continue downhill, passing the places known as Le Replat, La Chamaboite and then L'Ail.
The path is sometimes stony and not very pleasant.
(2) Shortly after "Chez Lire", take a small road (D255) on the left for a few hundred metres. Turn left at the bend, pass the place called Pré Daval before climbing back up into the Fossat valley. From here, the trail becomes much wilder and climbs mainly through forest.
(3) When you reach the Croix du Fossat (2 hours and 15 minutes from the start), turn left towards the north onto the carriage road. Quickly leave this road at the first bend and take a path that climbs up to the left into the mountain pasture and joins theGR®3near the Burons de la Richarde, where you will soon see the military installations of Pierre-sur-Haute.
(4) Continue straight ahead on theGR® to get closer to the ridge, then go around the summit on the left.
(5) Once you reach the road, first turn left then right and continue, passing to the right of the Rochers de la Chapelle then to the left of the Rocher Pavé. Reach the Col de la Chamboite.
(6) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on the left and right. Turn left at a 90° angle, then right at the Altisurface du Col de Béal and continue along theGR®3to return to the car park at the pass (S/E).
Bear in mind that not everyone is familiar with the area and, unless you have your eyes glued to the map, it would be a good idea to indicate all the changes in direction!
Visorando member
Easy 
