Ponds and cauldrons in Saint-Genest

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This hike has few tarmac roads and takes you through the bocage landscape of the Combraille Bourbonnaise, dotted with ponds and passing close to old charcoal kilns, the only remains of a camp for Spanish refugees arrested during the Second World War.

Details

n°4533620
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 235 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 235 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 444 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 331 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Saint-Genest (03310)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.258801° / E 2.617913°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2428SB, 2429SB
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Photos

Chaudrons
Mare de Chaumont

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from a small car park between the hamlets of Champs Colas and Fougères. Take the dirt track to the crossroads.

(1) Turn right, cross the Ruisseau de l'Ours stream and you will come to a four-way crossroads.

(2) Continue straight ahead on theGR® 463. Keep going in the same direction at the Montplaisir crossroads and cross the Ruisseau des Fontaines before reaching a fork in the road as you leave the woods.

(3) Leave theGR® and continue straight ahead, then turn right at the end of the path and arrive at Chaumont.

(4) At the pond, continue straight ahead. The cauldrons are located further down on the winding path through the woods; you can't miss them. Cross the stream and climb up to Peuplat.

(5) Take the path up to the left, then continue along the road until you reach La Mallerée.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the district road, then turn right onto a small road. In the bend at the Borde pond, leave the road and follow the path opposite, which leads to another road further on.

(7) Turn right onto the road, then left onto the first path. At the end, turn right, cross the Faye buildings and continue along the path.

(8) Take the first path on the right, then continue straight on until you reach the D452. Cross carefully and go straight on to find the first crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Follow the path on the right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 435 m - Small car park on the Villebret road
  2. 1 : km 0.33 - alt. 432 m - Crossing of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.01 - alt. 396 m - GR 463 junction
  4. 3 : km 2.49 - alt. 395 m - Leave the GR® and continue straight ahead.
  5. 4 : km 4 - alt. 406 m - Chaumont
  6. 5 : km 5.89 - alt. 411 m - Peuplat, on the left
  7. 6 : km 6.54 - alt. 424 m - At road crossings, go straight ahead.
  8. 7 : km 7.88 - alt. 404 m - Path/road junction, on the right
  9. 8 : km 9.15 - alt. 359 m - Fork to the right
  10. S/E : km 10.89 - alt. 435 m - Small car park on the Villebret road

Notes

There are three possible stream crossings via wooden footbridges or fords between points (2) and (3), and between (4) and (5).

At (8), there are many paths and it is easy to get disoriented; the simplest thing to do is to take the first path on the right.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

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

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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
MARTIchou07
MARTIchou07

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful route, very varied, difficult path reserved for experienced enthusiasts, well-shod as the path is washed out by rain and therefore very rocky.
To be repeated in the opposite direction for a different experience.

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Serge_Augusta
Serge_Augusta

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hike completed for the third time in one year. The setting is very pleasant. However, the paths are overrun with quad bikes and motocross bikes. So much so that they have been turned into mud pits and, in this wet season, the paths are almost impassable without boots. I'm not even mentioning the danger to pedestrians, as these motorcyclists are in their element and have no concept of danger.
It's a real shame. Disappointing given the situation.

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Randonneurdu dimanche
Randonneurdu dimanche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike on 02/08/2021. Beautiful hilly route. Luckily for us, it wasn't 30°C.

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Blamo03
Blamo03

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good hike, varied, shaded.
Best avoided in wet weather and especially during thunderstorms.
Towards the end of the route, the instructions lack precision.

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Avec20
Avec20

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, despite the poor weather for this time of year.
We didn't see any vehicles, not even tractors to bother us!

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Serge_Augusta
Serge_Augusta
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Easily accessible.
Some of the route signs could be clearer.
However, the route is very pleasant, but intended for hikers with a minimum of experience.

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tafonatu
tafonatu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only thing I don't quite agree with is the elevation gain. It seems higher to me than what is advertised. It's a series of climbs and descents with two pretty steep hills!

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jd2ascm
jd2ascm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, a few slightly wet sections at this time of year, worth doing again!

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Geroux
Geroux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Much of the route is heavily used by motorcycles and quad bikes. With the current rains, this results in a lot of mud and water runoff, leaving the paths in poor condition.
Not pleasant for walking, with many risks of slips and falls.
Did not see any other walkers during the route.
Otherwise, it's a varied and rather pleasant route, best done in good weather.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.