Loop around Plomb du Cantal

Its height of 1855 metres make Plomb du Cantal the second highest peak in the Massif Central after the Puy de Sancy.
Starting from the Col de Prat de Bouc, this hike initially leads to the summit ascent and descent on the northern slope, followed by a climb up the slopes of the Puy du Rocher before returning to Prat de Bouc.

Technical sheet

194115
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 933 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 933 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,852 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,282 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access : At Murat at the foot of Super-Lioran, take the D39 towards the Col de Prat de Bouc via Albepierre and park in the car park at the entrance to the Prat de Bouc station.

(S/F) Take the first road to the right going towards the station.

(1) Walk for 400m on this wide road and take a path up to the left near the stream.

(2) Go up left on the trail (GR4) to a fork.

(3) Keep right and continue up a scree.

(4) Turn left and go 100 m to rejoin the GR4 trail and 400 m right along the avalanche barriers and continue ahead to the top of the Plomb du Cantal and its plateau.

(5) Take time to admire the view using orientation table. Go down the marked path, continue on the big path and continue to head downhill to the Plomb du Cantal cable car.

(6) Take the path right in front of the cable car. Walk along the avalanche barrier and head downhill for 300 m until you reach a fork.

(7) Take the left path and go down through several winds and until you pass under the cable car line.

(8) Continue down to the right (the way is partly or wholly invisible) along the avalanche barriers to find the trail that takes you to Buron des Gardes and its small lake.

(9) Go around the small lake to the right and take the path that goes due north and then down through the forest to the Lioran station to a fork in the path.

(10) Take the very pretty path that goes right. Cross under cable car line again and begin a series of hairpin bends leading to the rise of the Puy du Rocher. Finally cross to the south to meet back up with the Pas des Alpins.

(11) As the pass, descend gently for 100 m then take the wide path to the left which will take you down through the Prés Marty at (2).

Then continue straight ahead to return to the Prat du Bouc site and the car park at the start of the walk (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,380 m - Prat de Bou station car park entrance
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 1,386 m - Turn right onto the large track - Col de Prat de Bouc
  3. 2 : km 0.5 - alt. 1,401 m - Turn left onto the narrow path
  4. 3 : km 0.86 - alt. 1,427 m - Stay to the right
  5. 4 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,592 m - Go left at the scree
  6. 5 : km 3.02 - alt. 1,852 m - Summit > - Plomb du Cantal
  7. 6 : km 3.54 - alt. 1,795 m - Turn right at the cable car
  8. 7 : km 3.82 - alt. 1,775 m - Fork left downhill
  9. 8 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,615 m - Go right off the path
  10. 9 : km 5.61 - alt. 1,437 m - Buron des Gardes
  11. 10 : km 6.85 - alt. 1,282 m - Fork, turn right uphill
  12. 11 : km 10.07 - alt. 1,750 m - Pas des Alpins
  13. S/E : km 14.24 - alt. 1,380 m - Prat de Bouc resort car park entrance

Practical information

On the loop you can stop for food at Buron du Baguet. Otherwise, there is everything you need at the Prat de Bouc site.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
cantagrel
cantagrel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Walk started at 7.30 am to avoid the crowds and the forecast heat.
Easy ascent to Plomb du Cantal in less than an hour without forcing the pace.
I didn't meet a single person on the way up or on the descent to Le Lioran (the cable car hadn't yet started to rotate).
I missed the path at point 7, which took me down to the Pas des Alpins and it was on the way back up that I saw the narrow opening in the fence and, above all, the little cattle bridge.
Once you've passed the cable car, you need to look to your left to spot this little passageway to avoid going too far down like I did.
A pleasant climb, with magnificent views. The ascent from Le Lioran to the Pas des Alpins is of little interest apart from the (real) pleasure of the physical effort.
It's a good idea to do the route in this direction, as I've come across a lot of hikers who start the ascent when I finish the descent... I couldn't see myself starting this route after 11.30am in full sunshine on what was supposed to be the hottest day of the week!
The whole route can easily be done in less time than the 6H35 on the route description.
I'm a 59-year-old occasional hiker, but it's "sporty", and I completed it in 3 hours 20 minutes without feeling like I was pushing myself.

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patounette42
patounette42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It was a magical moment, a real pleasure!
It's a tough climb, but you're rewarded at the finish!
Sumptuous scenery

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marizou1957
marizou1957

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb walk in glorious weather. The trail is very well signposted. A real treat with herds of cows in the meadows (be careful when they have their calves with them. They don't like to be disturbed). A great 360-degree view of the Cantal mountains. The ridge section is very pleasant. Thank you for this wonderful hike

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lucaflam
lucaflam

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A very fine route, but the Arpon du diable side, following the trail, is more interesting for my taste.

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Herwan
Herwan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The first part of the hike is superb. A word of advice: before going up to the Cantal lead, take a short walk towards the ridges and the "arpent du diable" (on the left), where the view is well deserved. But at the buron there's a great place to bivouac with a watering hole and a splendid view of the sunset... The next day we did the second part of the hike, but it's pointless as you go down and then back up again via the ski slope... and the switchbacks are very steep... In conclusion, a very nice hike and bivouac area... but be aware that it's difficult with big bags (>15kg). Good walking to you

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gilbonson
gilbonson

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Thank you for this walk in very good weather, we took the opportunity to visit Leoran station.

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Phasme91
Phasme91

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The descent to Le Lioran and then the ascent via the ski slopes is tiring and, in my opinion, pointless.

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thierrymalaval
thierrymalaval

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike in the sun and heat: (don't forget a sufficient supply of water)
Magnificent view from the summit of the Plomb du Cantal.
Be careful on the return journey from Super Lioran to Plomb du Cantal; + 600 metres of ascent and descent.

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benoist132
benoist132

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Super hike around the lead. Nice climb from Prat de Bouc.
steep descent to super loran recommended before setting off again. Difficult climb back up to the lead with magnificent surroundings (rocher du cerf) and gentle descent to the start of the pass. Allow 6 hours with breaks....

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revenaturel
revenaturel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Tour of 04 August 2018
Very nice hike.
Complicated in the very hot laces that day!
So many varieties, flowers, blueberries, a real joy!
Herd of goats and billy goats, cows;
Another great time.

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Malrushi
Malrushi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The GPX course is simply perfect.
The ascent via the ski slopes is pointless and painful.

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Denise G.
Denise G.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely walk in glorious weather, 360° view of the Cantal, flowers, cows, just happiness.

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benkm
benkm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 23, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike, with a magnificent 360° view from the summit.
On the way down to the buron des gardes, we spotted marmots and then chamois.
The climb back up to the Pas des Alpins is long but easy because the track is good.
The return to Prat de Bouc is very pleasant through the mountain pastures.

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hubertvicard
hubertvicard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A route that has been covered many times, in one direction or another, by the 'local of the stage' that I am.
It's perfect!

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