Lovely circuit under the Préaux

Start: Departure is from the Brudour hamlet car park.

(S/E) Start by walking down through the hamlet towards the torrent, then cross the bridge and head uphill (to the right) through a beech forest.

(1) At the junction, turn left onto the path that runs alongside the torrent. Continue until you reach a fork in the road with a hairpin right.

(2) Turn right onto a wider path heading south and continue uphill, quietly and in the shade, to the highest point of this walk. You've done the hard part, now take a breather on the bench and enjoy the view.

(3) Continue towards Les Préaux on a long, pleasant descent. At the "La Goutoune" signpost, head for Col des Festreaux.

(4) At the pass, cross carefully the road and continue on the path opposite. This is a grazing area, so be sure to close the gate behind you. The path climbs a little, then enters a fairly dense beech forest, then descends steadily. Reach the crossroads with the "L'Aubérie" sign at the end of a steep descent.

(5) Fork right, direction "Les Reculas"; avoid the forks marked with crosses, and quickly reach this hamlet (where there is a spring and a fountain). From here, turn left onto the main road and follow it downhill for approx. 400 m.

(6) (you can also continue along the road, and reach Le Brudour on asphalt: it's the same distance with one less steep climb, but without the shade of the trees).
Following the suggested route, turn right at the signpost to "Les Préaux - 5.1 km" and climb the path, which is a little steep at first (again avoiding the cross-marked junctions), until you reach the initial junction.

(1) Turn left and return to the Brudour car park (S/E).

Start & Parking: Departure is from the Brudour hamlet car park.

Note: Can be done either direction, most of the climb will be in the shade anyway.
The spring at the hamlet of Reculas is nice and cool.