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Park in one of the car parks in Prat de Bouc.
Please note that the first part of this hike, on the Prés Marty, is not marked, and the paths are not always clear: Visorando app useful
(S/E) Take the markedGR®® trail that heads towards Le Plomb, due west.
(1) At the stream, leave theGR®®(400-465) trail discreetly to the left and continue to follow the path that veers to the right. Be careful! About a hundred metres further on, leave this stony path and follow a discreet path on the right, which is much less clearly marked in the grass and runs first along a fence on the right, then a fence on the left. Further on, the path begins to descend.
(2) The path makes a sharp left turn towards a small rock face. At a sign indicating "Col de Prat de Bouc" (in the opposite direction), ignore the path on the left and the one that continues straight ahead, turn right and pass to the right of the cliff. Shortly afterwards, the path turns right and begins to skirt around a summer pasture below the Rochers de Chamalière. Go around the pasture, crossing a few fences through gaps and approaching the Rochers de Chamalière.
(3) At a sign indicating "Col de Prat de Bouc" (in the opposite direction), turn left onto a grassy path to pass to the left of the cliff. When you reach a "PR®®" sign, cross a footbridge. The path then disappears a little on the grass: follow the wooden posts that indicate the direction from time to time.
(4) Cross a stream and then walk along a fence on your right. At another sign for "Col de Prat de Bouc" (in the opposite direction), turn left. At a post (which had fallen down when we passed), follow a path that goes around a rocky hill on your right. At another post, follow a fence on your left.
(5) At a "PR®®" sign in the opposite direction, turn onto a grassy path on the right to finish going around the rocky hill. Follow another post and then join a stony path.
(6) Follow it to the right until you find yourself below Le Plomb, at the chairlift stations.
(7) Climb the wooden steps to the orientation tables. Turn south to locate the ridge path that the rest of this hike follows back and forth. Descend a few steps and take a rocky path on the right that descends from the summit on the south side to join the ridge path markedGR®® in red and white, at a barrier.
(8) Continue straight ahead slightly below the ridge. Further on, pass through a barrier. During the summer grazing season, these heights are occupied by cows, calves and bulls... and dogs must be kept on a leash. The path often rejoins the ridge, passing through the Col de Pourtoube and offering beautiful views.
(9) Leave the Puy de la Cède on your left.
(10) Pass through the Col de la Chèvre. Arrive below the Puy Gros. On the left, further down, note the ruins of the Chapelle du Cantal.
(11) Return via the same route to the foot of Le Plomb, at the barrier.
(8) Continue on theGR®®400-465, which descends to the right, towards the west. The markings are not always very clear, but you just need to go straight down or make short detours when the terrain is too rough, along a very rugged path.
(1) At the bottom, at the stream, go through a barrier and return to Prat de Bouc (S/E) via the same path as on the way up.
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
