Head to the Col d’Aizac and park in the village square. This route is marked with blue signposts, though the markings are somewhat unclear.
(S/E) From the pass, walk up to the village square to find and follow the path heading south-east to the left of the building on the left. Pass signpost 1 and then a fenced-off area (protecting a water catchment area). Reach signpost 2.
(1) Junction with Shortcut 1 (see ‘Practical Information’ section). Continue along the path descending to the left through magnificent chestnut groves, cross a tiny stream and head due east back up towards marker 4. The granite rock has given way to particularly unstable volcanic rock… you are on the slopes of the volcano.
(2) Junction with shortcut 2 (see § Practical information). Turn north, heading downhill to the next viewpoint, then continue along the track climbing to the right until you reach an old, broken gate.
(3) Take the track climbing to the right, due west, through the vegetation; after about 500 metres, it branches off to the south, still climbing. Ignore the path climbing to the left, and carry on until you reach marker 8.
(4) Junction with shortcut 2 (see § Practical information). Continue straight on along the main track, heading south, then turning west. You’ll reach a hairpin bend where the path makes almost a 180° turn to head due east. You are now on the southern upper rim of the volcano. Continue climbing to the highest point: 808 m.
(5) There is a bench and a large boundary stone here. Turning north-west, you look down over the crater stretching out at your feet, and your gaze extends further to the small village of Aizac.
Carry on straight ahead, down a steep slope, along a path that joins the track you took on the way up. Turn right.
(3) This time, turn right onto the wide, vehicle-accessible track (at the broken barrier). The view from this southern side of the volcano is unobstructed. After a gentle climb of just under a kilometre, this track joins another, even wider one. Take this one on the right until you reach the signpost.
(6) Junction with shortcut 1 (see ‘Practical Information’ section). Continue straight on along the wide track as it descends in a few hairpin bends (yellow and white markings from here). You’ll come out onto a small road. Take it to the right and, 100 metres further on, you’ll reach the Col d’Aizac and the start/finish point (S/E).