Pessade from the Col de la Croix Morand

Col de la Croix Morand car park on the D996.

(S/E) Follow the red and white markings of the GR®4 to Pessade. From the car park, with your back to the Puy de la Tache, follow the road to the left, heading north-west for about 300 m, then take the path on the right which climbs gradually.

(1) At the junction of paths by the Puy de Baladou signpost, carry on straight ahead towards Pessade. About 700 m further on, you’ll see a handcrafted wooden sign attached to the fence on the left, marked ‘Col Puy Baladou 1430 m’. About a hundred metres further on, at the corner of the fenced-off field and next to a wooden post on the right bearing the GR® signpost, look out for a path on the left, amongst the blueberry bushes, which forms part of the return route. Check that it is still relatively well marked (if not, an alternative route is suggested further on).

(2) Then continue straight on along the GR®.

(3) Go through a pasture gate and close it behind you. Further on, the path takes a wide hairpin bend to the left

(4) At the hairpin bend to the right that follows, a path branches off to the left towards a forest hut (9). This path can be used for the return journey if the track through the blueberry bushes has become overgrown. For now, continue along the GR® path.

(5) Go through a pasture gate and close it behind you. A little further on, go through one last gate and you’ll arrive in Pessade.

(6) Pass a wash house on your right, then a fountain on your left. At the junction of four streets by the Pessade signpost, turn right onto Rue du Lavoir, leaving the GR® trail. Pass a washhouse, a fountain and drinking trough, a blacksmith’s forge and a kiln on your left. At the next junction, turn left and rejoin the GR® route. At the corner of the visitors’ car park, turn left onto Rue de la Montagne and leave the GR® route.

(7) Take the path on the right. Then follow this wide path through the forest, ignoring the forest tracks of varying ages branching off on either side. You’ll come to a clearing used for storing felled tree trunks.

(8) Take the wide path on the left. Continue along this path, ignoring the more or less distinct side tracks branching off. You’ll emerge from the forest at a forest hut, which is a timber storage area.

(9) Leave the wide track, pass a pasture gate (please close it) on the left, then follow the dirt track keeping to the right; the track on the left leads to the GR® at (4). Shortly afterwards, follow the track as it bends to the left, ignoring the grassy path opposite. Shortly afterwards, go through a gate with handles (make sure to close it properly). You’ll leave the pasture area and re-enter the forest. Continue along this forest track until you come to a fenced-off meadow.

(10) Take the path on the left through the blueberry bushes, keeping the fence on your right. Barely 100 m further on, you’ll rejoin the GR®.

(2) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

A hike of moderate to easy difficulty; standard hiking kit required.

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