Pierre sur Haute via the Molinvé shepherd's huts

Ski resort car park.

(S/E) Head due south along the stony path to the left of the chairlift, continuing to follow the Yellow/White No. 9 markings. Cross the Ruisseau de la Morte via the footbridge and continue following the No. 9 markings.

(1) Turn right onto this good forest track marked with yellow/white No. 9. After 600 m, veer left, enter the forest and continue along the stony, ascending track, following the same markings.

(2) Turn left and continue along a forest track following the contour line until you reach the tarmac road of Les Hautes Chaumes.

(3) Turn left; 80 m further on, turn right and continue along the Molinvé path. Pass the Molinvé shepherd's huts on your left, follow the sign for Jasseries de Renat for 2.3 km, staying on the main path made of heather-covered earth.

(4) Enter a nature reserve; follow the signs. After 50 m, turn right onto the path winding through the heather, which is barely visible. Head south-west.

(5) Turn right, following the sign for Jasseries de Renat along a heather track marked No. 0.

(6) Turn left onto the Route des Hautes Chaumes; further on, veer right and follow the^GR® 3 signposting for Shepherd's Huts at Colleigne.

(7) Before the third shepherd's hut, turn left and take the path climbing through the heather facing the slope. At the top of the climb, continue along the path on the right; do not follow the signposting indicating a left turn.

(8) At the junction with the^GR®3, turn right. Further on, go round the Pierre sur Haute military base on the right-hand side. Continue to the Col de la Chamboite.

(9) Turn right, heading due east; further on, veer left towards the north, taking a path at the edge of the forest; further on, enter the forest.

(10) Turn right and continue along the descending Path No. 7. Walk along the left-hand side of a cattle enclosure until you reach the junction with a grassy track, marked with MTB sign 58-60.

(11) Turn right, pass the Chalet Gauchon on your left, and continue along the grassy path downhill. In a small clearing, turn right, ignoring the overly stony path on the left. Pass the Chalet Chapouilloux on your left, and continue along a stony path below the chalet.

(12) Cross a forest track and take the path leading downwards. Turn left onto a small tarmac road and, further on, turn right.

(13) Leave the tarmac road, turn right and take a path running alongside some holiday apartments. At the edge of a ski run, turn left and head down alongside the forest on your left. At the bottom, turn left. You’ll come out onto the D6.3; follow it to the right back to the starting point (S/E).

From (9), the route is strongly discouraged in winter (on foot, skis or snowshoes) due to steep slopes, which are very dangerous.
You must continue straight on along the^GR® 3, which will take you to the Col du Béal. Allow for two cars.
No water on this route.
No shade on the Hautes Chaumes.
Follow the guidelines when crossing the nature reserve.
Open and close the gates to the livestock enclosures.
No dogs off the lead.

Shepherd's hut: the name given to the high-altitude pastures and shelters of the Monts du Forez, both on the eastern side (Loire department, former Province of Forez) and the western side (Puy-de-Dôme department, former Province of Auvergne). The shepherd's hut is notably the traditional place of production for Fourme cheese (formerly known as Fromage de Roche, named after a commune on the eastern slope). (Source: Wiktionary.)
Most shepherd's huts have been converted into holiday homes.
Your footsteps will tread upon the many patches of blueberries and heather dotted with daffodils
The Chalmazel ski resort.