Puy Chavaroche via the Mandailles Valley and the Col du Piquet

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A very pleasant route through woodland and along the ridge, with views over the Mandailles valley to the east, a 360° panorama from the ridge of Puy Chavaroche and a splendid view of Puy Mary (far from its overcrowded popularity). This route was chosen to end with the panoramic view of the ridges and to tackle the steep ascent up the Piquet slope.

Details

n°104607578
Creation:
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,034 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,028 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,705 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,743 ft
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Photos

Panoramic view of the upper Mandailles Valley
Col de la Montée du Piquet and the Vacherie de la Bertrande pasture
Summit of Puy Chavaroche

Description of the walk

Starting point from the informal car park (maximum 20 cars) at the hairpin bend on the D17 at the Col de Redondet. NB: shuttle buses heading up to Puy Mary use this road and pass this point.

(S/E) From the car park, of the two visible tracks (the one on the right going uphill and the one on the left going downhill), take the track on the left heading downstream (Mandailles valley).

(1) At the edge of the forest, look out for a Fork in the road and take the path on the right (not shown on IGN maps), signposted ‘Trail’.

(2) At the end of the descent and as you emerge from the woods, turn right at the signposted junction located by the paddock gates.

(3) At the signposted crossroads, take the path on the right that leads uphill to begin the ascent of Le Piquet, leading to the ridge of Puy Chavaroche.

(4) Take care for about 300 m after the start of the climb (area where the actual terrain differs from the IGN map): follow the GPS track, which takes the path on the right at a Fork in the road that is unmarked, then follow the visible path without heeding the mapped PR® route, which has in fact been abandoned (the mapped GR® route rejoins the path 200 m further on at the pass).

(5) At the pass after the climb up the Piquet, turn right to climb to the summit of Puy Chavaroche.

(6) Then begin the descent, following the re-routed sections designed to restore the old, degraded paths. This will take you to the Col de Redondet.

(7) At the signposted junction, take the path descending to the right, north-east, towards the car park (S/E), which is visible in the distance.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,020 ft - Informal car park D17
  2. 1 : mi 0.47 - alt. 4,711 ft - “Trail” fork in the road
  3. 2 : mi 1.11 - alt. 3,967 ft - Crossroads, enclosure gates
  4. 3 : mi 2.55 - alt. 3,881 ft - Four-way junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.79 - alt. 4,154 ft - Path on the right
  6. 5 : mi 3.48 - alt. 5,079 ft - Pass - Le Piquet (1580 m)
  7. 6 : mi 4.32 - alt. 5,702 ft - Puy Chavaroche (1739m)
  8. 7 : mi 4.95 - alt. 5,377 ft - Junction of the - Col de Redondet (1686m)
  9. S/E : mi 5.41 - alt. 5,020 ft - Informal car park D17

Notes

No water source identified.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.