Royère-de-Vassivière walks

The village of Royère-de-Vassivière was established on a strategic pass on the Millevaches plateau, at the crossing point of a prehistoric ridge path. The ridge paths (or pouges) allowed people to travel long distances. They favoured the granite peaks of the rounded hills, called Puy or Peux, and avoided the damp, peaty valley bottoms that only cattle frequented.

Peat bogs develop in granite basins called alveoli, where the acidic, poor soil provides favourable conditions for their growth. These fragile environments are home to a specific flora composed of very particular primitive plants: sphagnum mosses. The different stages are visible here: low marshes covered with quaking bogs, active raised bogs, and peat heaths bordered by willows and birches.

Chassagnas, of Latin origin, Cassania or Gallic Cassanus, means oak. Chassagnas consists of a wooded slope down to the edge of Lake Vassivière and a partially open summit offering a 180° view of the lake. The Chassagnas peninsula, jutting out into the heart of Lake Vassivière, forms the boundary between the Creuse and Haute-Vienne departments. Together with its twin, the Puy du Rocher, which dominates Vauveix, it forms a barrier between the lake's two main bays.

The dam is complemented by the Auchaise dyke, which seals off a depression in the ground on the right bank about 400m from the main structure. This reservoir also receives water diverted from the upper basins of the Taurion (La Vaud-Gelade), Vienne, Dorat and Chandouille (Faux-la-Montagne) rivers.

This two-stage route of 2 x 18 km will take you on a journey of discovery around one of the largest artificial lakes in France. You can expect to see mid-mountain landscapes, varied vegetation including fir forests, moors and peat bogs, and wild flora and fauna on this tour of Lake Vassivière, commonly known as "Little Canada". The highlight of the route: a stopover at the Pourvoirie du Lac stopover lodge (accommodation, breakfast and dinner with a panoramic view of the lake).

This first stage takes you through unspoilt countryside, with a route that is both wild and surprising.

Nature and Land Art for this second stage, around the 5th largest artificial lake in France!

At the gateway to the Millevaches plateau, set off on a walk punctuated with information panels to discover a 50-hectare listed natural site.

At the foot of the highest peaks of the Plateau de Millevaches, set off to discover the small village of Pallier.

A circular route starting from Saint-Pardoux-Morterolles that also allows you to discover the Cascades d'Augerolles site. This hike passes through meadows, woods, forests and the areas around the waterfalls. A few panoramic views, streams and a plank bridge complete the picture. It should be noted that the roads, where there are any, are forest roads, some paved and some unpaved, but in any case very little used.

This is an opportunity to discover a rather secret path leading to the impressive Poirier Waterfall. Here, the Thaurion becomes a bubbling river that bounces off large granite boulders. This walk will also take you across two footbridges over the Thaurion, between twin ponds, along paths through woods and undergrowth, and across meadows.

Starting from the Martinèche car park, Martin Nadaud, the most famous mason in the Creuse, invites you to follow the paths of his childhood to discover the built and natural heritage of the commune of Soubrebost in half a day.

The first part of the circuit takes you along La Mourne, a lively little river with numerous waterfalls and cascades. The second part takes you through the Faux-Mazuras forest, and the third part finally takes you to the top of the Roches Mazuras, in a corner of moorland, where you can enjoy unobstructed views.

A long walk to discover the hydroelectric schemes on the Vienne that led to the creation of the Servières and Chammet lakes. Tarnac, our starting point, is a beautiful village on the Plateau de Millevaches with a church, a fountain and a remarkable oak tree.

A very beautiful hike that takes you back to the source of the Vienne near the village of Servières and across the Chandouille on wooden bridges and granite stone bridges.

Starting from Thauron, this is an easy walk that takes you along a small section of the magnificent Thaurion Gorges, then into the countryside.

This 5 km route, which links two villages, mainly follows very old rural paths, cleaned by volunteers from the Pierres et Nature de Thauron association: two recent forest tracks, created for the exploitation of conifer plantations, and a tarmaced communal road, which has a long history.

West of Felletin, starting from the hamlet of Verminier, this route crosses forests, woods, meadows and hamlets. You will cross small streams and walk along ridges that often offer unobstructed views. There are few roads on this walk, but there are a few climbs to warm up your legs.

A short discovery trail to discover the Sources de la Vienne, the natural peat bogs and those created by shepherds.Please note: this discovery trail appears to be poorly maintained in view of the reviews. The Visorando application is recommended to follow the itinerary.

This trail is part of the Millevaches trails, allowing you to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature in the Millevaches Regional Nature Park. Pass through herds of cows and sensitive natural areas. Remain calm. Respect the areas you pass through.