The peat bogs of Chastel-sur-Murat

Although it takes a while to get there, this walk takes you along a wild trail through pastureland, where you can see several peat bogs at different stages of development and enjoy magnificent views of the Cantal mountains and the Planèze plateau on the Saint-Flour side.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.04 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 600 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 587 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,121 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,675 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the entrance to the hamlet of Chastel-sur-Murat.

(S/E) Before entering the village, take the road on the left and then thefirst path on the left. Continue along the path until you reach a road. Follow it to the right and you will arrive at the centre of the hamlet of Lapsou.

(1) Pass between the houses and continue along a track suitable for vehicles. At the three-way junction that follows, take the right-hand branch, continue slightly downhill then uphill, following several bends in the track until you reach a fence. Go through the gate and you will come to a three-way junction just after the corral on your right.

Yellow frog markings, discovery trail.

(2) Take the grassy path on the right and follow it around the ridge on the right. Pass a series of small watchtowers on the right and arrive at a flat area at the end of the ridge. Turn left at the foot of the ridge and arrive at thefirst information panel about the peat bogs.

(3) Descend towards the bog and follow its edge, turning left. Continue along the path, which becomes steep and merges with the tracks made by cattle. Follow the edge of the bog, cross a strip of woodland and continue along the edge until you reach asecond sign and a fork in the path.

(4) Turn left onto the grassy path, climb up the flat section and arrive at a fork.

No more markings

(5) Continue left across the mountain pasture, off the trail, and reach the small plateau at the highest point of the ridge.

(6) Enjoy the 360° view, then return to the fork on the plateau.

Yellow frog markings

(5) Walk a few dozen metres opposite, following the grassy path at the top, then turn left downhill onto a barely visible path towards the scattered pine grove. Quickly locate athird and then afourth sign slightly below a cross path, at the edge of the new bog.

(7) Turn left onto the path and, after a slight climb, you will come to a fork.

(8) Continue straight ahead, go through a gate and leave the grassy path. Turn right, following the low point of the pasture, off the path, and arrive a few metres from thethird bog, at thefifth information sign, almost at the edge of a fence.

(9) Continue left on the barely visible path and reach the fork near the corral.

No more markings

(2) Walk along the corral on your left, go back through the gate and take the same path you came on to reach Chastel-sur-Murat (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,675 ft - Car park, Chastel-sur-Murat
  2. 1 : mi 0.89 - alt. 3,763 ft - Hamlet of Lapsou
  3. 2 : mi 1.56 - alt. 3,999 ft - T-junction A/R
  4. 3 : mi 2.11 - alt. 3,993 ft - First peat bog
  5. 4 : mi 2.41 - alt. 3,960 ft - Second information board
  6. 5 : mi 2.54 - alt. 4,052 ft - Flat fork, return trip
  7. 6 : mi 2.72 - alt. 4,121 ft - Viewpoint
  8. 7 : mi 3.03 - alt. 3,976 ft - Second peat bog
  9. 8 : mi 3.2 - alt. 3,999 ft - Fork in the road
  10. 9 : mi 3.37 - alt. 3,980 ft - Third peat bog
  11. S/E : mi 5.04 - alt. 3,675 ft - Car park, Chastel-sur-Murat

Notes

Passing through grazing areas, remember to close the gates behind you.

Dogs are strongly discouraged. Salers cows are very protective animals and will not hesitate to charge your four-legged friend.

Cantal Nature Reserve.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
yvonnealadel
yvonnealadel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant, easy hike with beautiful scenery and a very informative peat bog trail. The GPX file and descriptions were easy to follow.

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pierre huraux
pierre huraux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A hike designed to give your legs a rest! Hardly anyone else on the trail. Interesting flora, birdsong everywhere, peace and tranquillity.
The route between the start and point 1 may seem a little long, but it is on an easy path.
On the way back, don't forget to visit St Antoine Chapel.
To be done on a day with unstable weather or to unwind.

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Cri6901
Cri6901

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Educational walk with beautiful scenery. Easy route and fairly well signposted.

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SFBrunier
SFBrunier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Had it not been for the heatwave (the Cantal region on orange alert, which is unusual!), the approach walk would have been quite pleasant.
The walk was perhaps a little too late in the season to observe the typical flora of the peat bogs.
The peat bogs seem to be drying out and filling in, and the growth of trees makes it a little difficult to read the information signs.
There were a few uncertainties about the route due to the signposts on the way back.
A lovely walk, to be repeated in April-May...

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Cantaloise1000
Cantaloise1000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, informative

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aldoma94
aldoma94

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike, especially in the first part before reaching the circular section.
Splendid view of the Cantal mountains.
The peat bog route is well marked with information points and questions/answers.

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