Puy de Montchal and Lac de Moncineyre

On the D978, about 200 m south of the Baraque de Vassivière, you can park one or two cars at the side of the road, at the intersection with a path on the west side. A GR® marked path starts opposite on the east side.

(S/E) Cross the road very carefully to take the GR®4 path opposite, marked in red and white.

(1) Ignore the path on the right, which is the return route.

(2) The GR® turns left to follow the power line. Please note: 200 metres further on, you need to turn right to find the path at the edge of the woods. Follow the markings.

(3) At the intersection of paths, turn left, still on the GR®. Turn right at the next intersection, leaving the GR®. Climb to the top of Puy de Montchal. Turn right when you reach the intersection for a viewpoint.

(4) Viewpoint, but only on the west side. Retrace your steps a few metres and turn right at the intersection. Ignore the path on the right.

(5) At the four-way intersection, go straight ahead. At the next intersection, turn left and join a track. Follow it to the left and you will come to a small road.

(6) Follow it to the right, ignoring all side paths, until you reach a crossroads with a wide path on the right.

(7) Take a few steps to the right and immediately turn left onto the path.

(8) At the T-junction, turn right. Follow this path through the meadow dotted with peat bogs.

(9) Pass a pond on your right. Further on, ignore the path that curves sharply to the right. You will arrive at the edge of Lake Montcineyre. Continue along the path on the southern shore of the lake to find a nice spot to take a break.

(10) Retrace your steps to the intersection with the road.

(7) Follow the path to the left.

(11) The path becomes a trail that soon turns right, heading north.

(12) Ignore a path on the right.

(13) At the next intersection, turn left. Pass under the power lines again, continuing straight ahead.

(14) At the intersection, be sure to turn right so that you do not end up on the road too far south of the parking area. You will rejoin the GR® trail you took on the way there.

(1) Turn left and follow the route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).

Moderate difficulty hike, standard hiking equipment required.

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

Photo album here