Puy Gros from Niervèze

From the village of Niervèze, this route, mainly along summer pasture paths, takes you to the summit of Puy Gros and its plateau, passing close to magnificent restored burons (private) and the old Chapelle du Cantal, of which only a few ruins and a basalt cross remain.
There is a magnificent view over the Cère valley and the main peaks: Puy Chavaroche, Puy Mary, Puy Griou, Peyre Arse, Téton de Vénus and Rocher du Bec de l’Aigle.

Details

n°39751812

Creation:
08 Sep 2023

Last update:
19 May 2026

Last review:
23 Jun 2024

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.51 mi
Average duration: 4h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,890 ft
Descent: - 1,903 ft
Highest point: 5,230 ft
Lowest point: 3,281 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts du Cantal
City: Thiézac (15450|15800)
Start/End: N 45.025442° / E 2.701836°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2435OT
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Description of the walk

Start from the centre of the hamlet of Niervèze.

(S/E) Take the path towards the thatched-roof houses (Chaumière Granier) and follow it to a stony track.

(1) Continue uphill along this path until you reach a fork.

(2) Turn right, quickly pass a^first restored buron and continue climbing the path, which becomes grassy.

(3) At^{the second} buron (private), continue straight up the slope along a grassy track until you reach, at the foot of Puy Gros, the start of a small path on the right.

(4) Follow this path as it runs along the hillside and, after passing a double fence, join a barely visible path (^GR®®) almost at the ridge.

(5) Turn left towards Puy Gros and reach the ruins of the Chapelle du Cantal.

(6) Continue the climb by taking the track on the left after the passageway set up to get over the fence and reach the summit of Puy Gros with its metal cross.

(7) After taking in the view, return to the hamlet of Niervèze by retracing your steps.

(S/E) Pass to the right of the bread oven then take the^first path on the left. Follow this to the mill.

(8) Then head back up the same way to the hamlet of Niervèze S/E::.

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,376 ft - Centre of the hamlet of Niervèze - Niervèze
1 : mi 0.14 - alt. 3,510 ft - Stony path
2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 4,239 ft - Junction
3 : mi 1.45 - alt. 4,626 ft - Buron
4 : mi 1.61 - alt. 4,787 ft - Small path on the right
5 : mi 2.14 - alt. 5,039 ft - Path
6 : mi 2.39 - alt. 5,164 ft - Chapelle du Cantal
7 : mi 2.55 - alt. 5,230 ft - Le Puy Gros
8 : mi 5.31 - alt. 3,281 ft - Mill
S/E : mi 5.51 - alt. 3,373 ft - Centre of the hamlet of Niervèze - Niervèze

Notes

Niervèze.

In the centre of Niervèze, note the communal oven which was in use until the Second World War, the fountain (drinking water) and the blacksmith’s workshop.

Passing through grazing land, please remember to close the gates.

Dogs are strongly discouraged. Salers cattle are very protective animals and will not hesitate to charge at your four-legged friend.

Worth a visit

Bread oven.
Mill.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
4.5 / 5

Alouette Lulu

23 Jun 2024 at 18:38 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We chose this tour for our first day of holiday in the Cantal. We really enjoyed it. There were no orientation difficulties with the Visorando software and the 1:25,000 map base. The route is perfect. The hike wasn't difficult and the panorama was beautiful from start to finish, from the village of Nierveze to the summit of Puy-Gros. The weather was cool but often sunny and, in this month of June, the meadows are covered with multicoloured flowers.
The only downside is that the road up from Saint-Jacques-des Blats to Nierveze is very narrow. We didn't come across anyone that day. So much the better. I was very apprehensive.
Despite this drawback, I highly recommend this walk. Thanks to Denis26 for sharing.

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Calou51

16 Dec 2023 at 18:29 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a good idea to start the route in the pretty hamlet of Niervèze, where you can learn about the traditional architecture of the villages in the region. As for the route, it's simple: you go almost straight up, then straight down. It's hard to get lost.
Interesting if you want to get to the ridges quickly and enjoy superb views over the whole western part of the massif. Or if, like me today, you want to have the amazing experience of going from a few minutes of a calm sunny day to a ground covered with a good layer of snow and a low-angled wind that will knock you off your feet.

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