A short circular loop along the Dronne upstream of the Trou de Philippou

Start at Place de la Résistance in the centre of Saint-Saud-Lacoussière. Car park opposite the shops.

(S/E) Take the road leading down towards Thiviers. Walk past the church and take the first road on the left (Chemin des Pradelles). After the houses, continue straight on along the stony path. Cross the Route des Étangs and take the dirt track opposite (yellow markings).

(1) Ignore the path on the left as it climbs; take the one on the right which descends into the clearing towards the Dronne (signpost and start of the path not very visible). The path descends along the hillside until it reaches the banks of the Dronne, then follows it to the Vieux Moulin. Continue along the access path to this building until you reach the D79 road.

(2) Cross it carefully and take the small metal staircase opposite. The path runs alongside the Dronne again for 100 m, then climbs gently to the left into the forest. At the end of a slightly steeper section, take a path to the left when a fork appears. Follow the forest path until you reach a road. Turn left onto it and follow it for 300 m.

(3) When the road begins to climb after passing a wetland on the right, take the path that climbs to the right at the edge of the forest. At the top of the meadow, continue straight ahead, passing another meadow on the left until you reach a property fence. Follow it to the right. At the end of the fence, continue straight ahead for about a hundred metres along a poorly marked path until you reach a track at the edge of a field. Take this track to the left for 50 m until the next junction where the GR®361 passes.

(4) Follow it to the right, towards “Liaison Grand Étang-Champs Romain”, until you reach the hamlet of La Villotte. Leave the GR® which branches off to the right (unless you want to go for a swim at Grand Étang). Continue along the path to the left, which becomes tarmac, until you reach the Route du Grand Étang near the entrance to Saint-Saud.

(5) Follow it to the left towards Saint-Saud. After about 500 m, take the quieter Rue des Terres de l'Aubade, which branches off diagonally to the right. At the end of the street, walk down 50 m to the left to reach the Place de la Résistance (S/E)

The start and end of the route are not shaded.

An alternative route is possible by starting from the Grand Étang (car park) and taking the GR®361 instead of crossing through Saint-Saud.

Beautiful variety along the banks of the Dronne.

The route passes close to the Grand Étang de Saint-Saud-Lacoussière: supervised swimming in July and August.