A short, mystical circular loop in Saint-Nectaire

From Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite, take the D640 towards Freydefont and drive through the hamlet. About 600 m further on, turn right onto a track (first track on the right) at a worn sign indicating "Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut (dolmen, caves of Châteauneuf, ...)". Park at the first crossroads, shortly after the road becomes tarmac. (Alternative parking spaces are available along the route at Pont de Boissière and Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut.)

Directional markers and occasional markings mentioned in the description

(S/E) At the crossroads, look for the Bournis signpost and continue along the small road towards Panet. You will soon reach this signpost at an intersection.

(1) Continue along the small road towards Le Pavé and follow this signpost.

(2) Continue straight ahead (ignoring the path on the left) towards Pont de Boissière. About 50 metres further on, at the fork in the road, keep left. You will come to a road; follow it to the left for about 50 metres, then take the path on the left (yellow arrow). Further on, follow the path as it curves to the right, ignoring a vague path branching off to the left, until you come to a road. Follow it to the left for about 50 metres.

(3) Turn right to cross the road and then the educational farm car park and take the bridge over the Ruisseau de Fredet. Then walk along the right-hand side of the D996 on the hard shoulder, then cross it carefully to follow the path leading off to the left, at the Pont de Boissière signpost, towards Bouche (red and white^GR®® markings). You will come to a fork in the road a few metres before reaching the Bouche signpost.

(4) Take this shortcut on the right (towards Pont de Sapchat as indicated on the signpost), leaving the^GR®® and following the VTT3 signposts. You will come to a road near some farm buildings (cheese shop) and the Pont de Sapchat signpost.

(5) Turn right until you reach the bridge over the Couze Chambon. Retrace your steps (leaving the VTT3 signs) until you reach the signpost.

(5) Follow the road straight ahead towards Croix de Saint-Roch. Take the first path on the left, before the bend in the road, at a modern cross made of Volvic stone (yellow arrow). Further on, pass the Croix de Saint-Roch, which is a Christianised menhir accompanied by a flat stone, and shortly afterwards you will arrive at a T-junction at the Croix de Saint-Roch signpost. Follow the ^GR®® markings until otherwise indicated.

(6) Follow the path to the right towards Giraudon. Ignore a path to the left, follow a bend in the path to the left, ignoring the path to the right, and you will come to a road at the first houses of Saint-Nectaire, at a directional signpost.

(7) Follow the road to the left towards Clos du Vallon. Further on, ignore the hairpin bend to the left and take the bridge over the Fredet. On the other side, cross the crossroads carefully and continue straight ahead. Shortly afterwards, when the street makes a hairpin turn to the right, ignore Rue Mandon opposite and leave the^GR®® markings to climb the stairs, following the green pedestrian signs for "Église" (follow these to the basilica). When you reach a street, continue straight ahead. At the next intersection, turn right at the hairpin bend (no entry street). Follow this street, which goes around the south side of the basilica (note the sarcophagi in the retaining wall) to reach the south side of the forecourt. Walk along the Basilique Notre-Dame du Mont Cornadore on your right to find the entrance on the west side. (A visit is a must, with its superb capitals.)

(8) When you leave the church, turn right and follow the main street towards the town hall. When you reach the town hall, just after the cheese shop, turn left onto the street marked "Grottes de Châteauneuf" (^GR®® sign). Ignore the street on the left (marked^GR®®) and, at the end of the street, look for the Clos du Vallon sign. Follow the signs for Châteauneuf along the path down to the right, following the blue markings until otherwise indicated. The path soon starts to climb again. You will reach a junction with a bench and a signpost.

(9) Keep to the right, heading towards the Grottes de Châteauneuf. Continue climbing, ignoring the shortcuts on the left. You will reach the Châteauneuf signpost and continue to the right towards Panet. At the first hairpin bend, ignore the path straight ahead. Continue climbing the switchbacks until you reach the intersection with an information sign about the Grottes de Châteauneuf.

(10) Turn left and walk back to explore the site.

(10) Back at the information panel, continue climbing to the left, pass the summit and then descend carefully as the path is very steep for a few dozen metres. Further on, a path branches off to the left, slightly hairpinning. Take it to climb to the top of Puy de Châteauneuf for a final view of the north side.

(11) Descend via the same path, then continue left to reach the Panet signpost intersection, which you already passed on the way up.

(1) Take the same route back as on the way there, following the signs for Bournis and leaving the blue markings. Return to the crossroads where the hike began.

(S/E) Turn left towards the Freydefont menhir, which is visible about 150 m further on, higher up. View to the north over the plateau.

(12) Return to the crossroads where the hike began.

(S/E) Continue straight ahead to the Dolmen de la Pineyre site in the woods (information panel).

(13) Return to the crossroads (S/E)

Despite the short distance, this hike is classified as moderate due to a fairly steep climb to the Châteauneuf site and, above all, a steep (but not dizzying) descent. Standard hiking equipment is required, and some may find it helpful to use one or two walking sticks.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Information about the Christianised menhir of Croix Saint-Roch here

Information about the Pineyre tumulus-dolmen here

Information on the Freydefont Menhir (sometimes spelled Freydefond Menhir), formerly Christianised here

Information about the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Mont Cornadore here and here
The retaining wall on the south side of the terrace has been rebuilt in recent times. Three beautiful sarcophagi, dating from around 700 AD, which were previously laid horizontally, have been installed vertically in the shape of a cross, with the fourth standing alone. They probably come from a relatively large necropolis located nearby.

The Châteauneuf Caves: These are ancient troglodytic dwellings and the site of an old fortified castle on the southern part of the Puy de Châteauneuf. There are seven caves in two groups, but only a few are accessible. These caves were dug by hand into the volcanic tuff, probably in ancient times. Legend has it that an underground passage connects them to the castle of Murol. At the top of the hill, the foundations of an ancient castle are still visible. The view from these caves allows you to take in the entire valley at a glance. Please note: the site is not secure, so please be careful, especially if you want to move from one cave to another (there is a gap in the rock at the threshold). Please respect the site so that access to this private property can remain free.