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At the entrance to Beaune-le-Froid, coming from the D5 on the D617, park in a small car park on the edge of the D617, below a wooden chalet. All directions mentioned in this description are indicated by yellow signs, unless otherwise stated.
Please note, however, that this hike is not signposted as such.
(S/E) Continue along the road, Rue de Clermont-Ferrand, towards the town centre. At the church and the circular fountain, turn left towards "Le Pont". Cross the bridge and, at the large cross, turn left.
(1) Continue straight ahead at the intersection shortly after, towards "Creux du Mortier". At the next intersection, keep left and follow "Les Luges". Further on, ignore the path on the right and continue straight ahead towards "Chadeyre". Then ignore two paths on the left (the first one at an old reservoir) and a path on the right. Leave a newer reservoir on your left, then descend onto the D5.
(2) Cross (carefully!) to continue on the small road opposite (D5A). In the left-hand bend, ignore the road on the right and continue along the road towards "Chautignat". Note the beautiful poplar trees, formerly pollarded, along the side of the road. At the entrance to the village of Chautignat, pass a fountain on your left and then, at the next intersection, continue straight ahead towards the green sign for "Grottes de Rajat".
(3) At the next intersection, at the "Chautignat" signpost, look for a red and whiteGR®® sign. Ignore the path on the left and the road on the right and continue straight ahead towards "Senchiney" and theGR®®. Shortly afterwards, leave theGR®® signpost and climb left towards the "Grottes de Rajat". Reach the Roc du Pin, where the caves are located, which are inaccessible unless you do a bit of climbing. Beautiful view of the valley and the castle of Murol.
(4) Go back down theGR®® marked path, then turn right to reach the "Chautignat" signpost. Now follow theGR®® until further notice.
(3) Follow theGR®® to the left towards "Le château". At the intersection just after, keep left towards the iron cross and continue on the path marked "Interdit sauf riverains" (residents only). Pass the Moulin de Landrode on the Ruisseau de Chadeyere (picnic table). Further on, cross the road, then the car park below the Château de Murol. Ignore the path on the left that climbs up to the castle.
(5) Shortly afterwards, at the toilets, turn right towards "Fougère". Ignore a path on the left shortly afterwards. At the fork, turn left towards "Bernades" and continue until you reach the D5.
(6) Cross (be careful!) and continue on the stairway opposite, to the left of the "La Dent du Marais" road sign, markedGR®®30in red. After a second flight of steps, go through a gate, then a second one (or use the stepladder if it is closed). You will arrive above the Dent du Marais cirque and continue along the ledge. At the "La Garde" marker, continue straight ahead towards "Varennes", which you will find shortly afterwards. Then turn left towards "La Dent du Marais".
(7) At the Dent du Marais viewpoint, continue towards "La Mouta". Further on, ignore a path on the right and you will soon come to a crossroads.
(8) Leave theGR®® signposting and follow the signs for "Coujat" on the right. At the top, look for the signpost "La Mouta".
(9) Turn right towards Croix de Barbat. Ignore a path on the right just before you reach the tiny Croix de Barbat.
(10) Turn left towards "Près de la Croix" and then, shortly after, continue straight ahead towards "Le Pont". You will arrive at the crossroads you took on the way there.
(1) Turn left towards Beaune-le-Froid and follow the same route as on the way there until you reach the church. Pass the fountain on your left, following the direction of Font des Chiens. Further on, continue along Rue Saint-Roch, passing between the cross on your left and the fountain on your right. Further on, at another fountain, turn left onto Rue des Bruyères and cross the farm, following the bends in the road.
(11) Further up, at the T-junction, at the "Font des Chiens" signpost, follow the road to the right. Ignore a path on the left at a cross and you will come to the D617. Turn right towards Beaune-le-Froid and you will soon come to the small car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
