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The car park for walkers is situated on the D3 (Route d’Aubusson), about 4 km north of Royère-de-Vassivière, near the Rocher du Diable, a huge boulder visible from the road.
Follow the yellow markings and the signs for the Sentier de la Rigole du Diable
(S/E) Return to the road, cross it carefully and take the path opposite, signposted ‘Sentier de la Rigole du Diable’. This is also part of the GR®89. This path, which runs alongside this section of the Thaurion – known in these gorges as the Rigole du Diable – is quite steep.
(1) The trickiest section is fitted with a handrail. At a leat of the river where the water flows through a channel, near an electrical installation, the path moves away from the Thaurion and joins the D7 road.
(2) Climb a few steps opposite, and follow the path through the grass, running parallel to another road, the D3. Leave the GR® route, cross the D3 and follow the small road opposite. Further on, the tarmac ends.
(3) You’ll enter the Monteil au Vicomte Community Forest. Soon, ignore a path on the right and continue along a forest track which takes you back to the car park.
Follow the yellow markings and the signposts for the ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’ ( circular route)
(S/E) Turn right, pass an information board about the two ‘official’ trails of the Plateau de Millevaches Regional Nature Park in Limousin, cross a bridge over the Ruisseau de la Haute Faye and continue along a wide forest track which is also signposted by the GR®89.
(4) At the junction with the circular ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’ loop, carry on straight ahead (GR®). Shortly afterwards, you’ll pass an information board about the local landscapes. When you reach the ruins of an old mill, the path continues to the left in a hairpin bend, running alongside the stream. Cross a few footbridges and you’ll reach an area where sheep graze (dogs are not allowed here). Go through a gate, then another one further on. Cross a few more footbridges and you’ll reach a junction of paths.
(5) Let the GR® head off to the right and carry on to the left. Cross some footbridges, pass through a gate, then climb up a steep path through a superb heathland covered in heather (in bloom in early September).
(6) At the junction, let the short circular loop head off to the left. Further on, cross a stone bridge (made of long, flat stones), at a Fork in the road (not shown on maps), keep left, following the yellow markings carefully. You’ll reach a junction of four paths.
Off the marked trail
(7) Briefly leave the ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’, which heads off to the left, to add a third circular route to your route. The path on the right, signposted ‘Sentier de Beauvais’, will be your return route. Take the unmarked grassy path heading straight ahead.
Yellow markings
(8) At the junction of four paths (only three are shown on maps), turn right onto a lovely path marked in yellow (old markings). You’ll pass through a landscape of wet meadows; the path is fitted with wooden duckboards (sometimes a little worn), and you’ll cross a stone bridge over the Ruisseau de Beauvais. You’ll find a few gentian flowers in bloom in early summer. You’ll come to a T-junction with a path.
(9) Turn right. Further on, the path bends to the right: ignore the path that continues straight ahead. Cross some footbridges and then a stone bridge. You’ll reach the junction with the ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’ trail.
Follow the yellow markings and the signs for the ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’ ( circular route)
(7) Carry on straight ahead. At a fork in the road (not shown on maps), keep to the left. Cross some footbridges, then a stone bridge, and you’ll come to a sign pointing to an old mill, a short round trip to the right.
(10) Walk a few metres and, amongst some loose rocks, you’ll find the remains of an old leat and a half-buried stone millstone. Retrace your steps.
(10) Carry on to the right. Take the wooden duckboard walkways again. You’ll reach a junction with several paths.
(11) This is also the junction with the short circular loop coming from the left. Cross the path and follow the one opposite, heading right into the woodland and signposted ‘Back to the car park’. A little further on, you’ll come to the junction with the circular ‘Sentier des landes et tourbières de la Mazure’ trail.
(4) Turn right onto the path you took on the way out, this time heading in the opposite direction, to reach the car park once and for all (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Tourist office
Difficult 
