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Park at the car park at Les Trois Sapins, on the D182.
Blue Cross signposting
(S/E) Set off towards the Roches de la Xaveure. Pass the junction with a forest track and, after 100 m, take the path opposite marked ‘La Xaveure’. Continue to the next junction.
Red Ring markings
(1) Take the path on the right signposted “Roches de la Xaveure”. Follow this narrow path down to the foot of the rocky barrier (a series of enormous boulders). At the end of the rocky barrier, the path winds downwards to join the wide forest track below.
Green Disc signposting
(2) Continue to the right along the forest track that runs alongside the lake until you reach the hamlet of La Grande Combe.
(3) Turn left onto a signposted path towards Basse Nangoutte. This will take you to the hamlet.
(4) Take the path on the left, which winds sharply, and continue over the wooden bridge towards Pré Barbier. The path crosses the forest track leading to the Cabanes du Lac de Pierre Percée (on the left, private property). Continue straight ahead for 100 m and turn left towards Pré Barbier.
(5) The path runs alongside the wooden fence of the private area, then continues along the edge of the lake to reach the viewpoint at the far end of the cove. Carry on to reach the Belvédère above the lake (a good spot for a break).
(6) Carry on along the lake on your left until you reach the hamlet of Pré Barbier (a good place to stop).
(7) Carry on along the lake towards the Roche des Corbeaux.
(8) Carry on along the lakeside path until you reach a Fork in the road.
No signposting (option 2).
(9) Two options here (which can be combined to make a circular loop rather than a return journey):
1) Take the path on the left (marked with a Green Disc) and follow the lakeshore to La Roche des Corbeaux (longer route).
2) As shown on the map, take the path on the right. You’ll soon come out onto a stony track; follow it to the left for about 1 km.
(10) Continue along the path on the left, ignoring those on the right, until you reach the amusement park car park.
(11) Take the path to the left of the amusement park towards the Roche des Corbeaux. Then take the signposted path on the right. Pass a wooden shelter on the left to reach the Roche des Corbeaux viewpoint.
(12) Retrace your steps to return to the original junction. N.B. You can join the signposted ‘Green Disc’ trail to the north and follow it to the left, along the lake, to return to the same junction.
(8) Take the path on the left. Reach the forest track and follow it for about a hundred metres. Then turn right onto the path (marked with yellow MTB signs) until you reach a junction (13).
Alternative route from WP 13: (The section between (14) and (15) – ‘Les Roches Bataillons’ – is poorly maintained; I suggest the following alternative).
From (13), take a short path to (5), then continue towards (4) and then (3). Head back up to the starting point, “Les Trois Sapins”, via the stony forest track on your left or the path through the woodland running parallel to it directly opposite.An easier return route: the circular route is shortened by about 2 km and the tarmac section between (15) and (16) has been omitted.
Marked with Blue Saltire signposts (original circular loop).
(13) Turn left towards the Route de la Ceinture Verte. Cross it carefully and continue straight ahead along the downhill forest track until you reach a fork.
Yellow Ring markings
(14) Turn right at the fork and continue along the little-used path. Pass the Roches Bataillons (poorly maintained section), which stretch out to the right in several places, and reach the D182 road.
No markings
(15) Cross the road carefully, turn right, and follow the D182 for about 200 metres. Reach and enter the large car park on the left to join a path on the right.
Blue Cross signposting
(16) Continue along this forest track and cross the D182 with care to reach the ‘Les trois Sapins’ car park opposite (S/E).
Visorando Member
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