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The Col de la Croix Morand is located on the D996 halfway between Mont-Dore and Chambon-sur-Lac. There is an inn and a large car park. The road is crossed by theGR® 4, which comes from Aydat - Sauzet-le-Froid and joins the Mont-Dore ski resort.
The hike is easy to follow: just follow theGR® 4 trail south (and north for the return trip).
(S/E) The trail starts just south of the car park, with theGR® sign on a green metal gate (to protect livestock). Head south on this pleasant dirt track, which soon climbs in a series of hairpin bends towards the first rocky peak.
(1) From this first viewpoint, you can already enjoy a beautiful landscape towards the Chaîne des Puys and Lac de Guéry.
(2) At Puy de la Tache, you will pass a concrete structure topped with a windsock. This is the take-off area for the Tache hang-gliding site. Continue south towards the two peaks of Puy de Monne. The path climbs quite steeply with a series of hairpin bends.
(3) TheGR® actually runs along the western flank of Puy de Monne: we will pass its summit on the way back.
We then pass over a saddle and climb gently towards the next summit.
(4) The Puy de Barbier, with its very gentle slopes, is easy to cross, and you will find yourself once again in a very wide open space where we encountered horses grazing freely.
(5) At Puy de l'Angle, you can enjoy a wide, open view of Mont-Dore and its resort, La Bourboule, and the Banne d'Ordanche.
Turn around and return by the same route.
(3) On the way back, at the foot of the Puy de Monne, there is a path that leaves theGR® and climbs to the top of the puy. Take the time to enjoy the superb 360-degree panorama, then continue along this path along the summit ridge.
After following the ridge on the northern side of the Puy de Monne, descend quite steeply and rejoin theGR® at the hairpin bends. Continue northwards to return to the pass, enjoying the views of the Chaîne des Puys. You will return to the Col de la Croix Morand car park (S/E).
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