Saint-Mesmin, Étang de Born and the Auvézère

Park in the square in front of Saint-Mesmin church. Let the adventure begin!

Yellow marked route "Circular of the Étang de la Forge"

(S/E) Go down Route de la Forêt de Born towards the town hall, then take the path on your left just after it. Follow it to Route du Porte Étoupe.

(1) Take it carefully to the right for about 200 metres, then cross it to take the path on your left. Follow it to Route de la Forêt de Veau.

(2) Cross it carefully to pick up the path opposite, slightly to the left. Follow it to Route de la Forêt de Born. Turn left onto it, then veer right to cross the hamlet of Le Frugier.

(3) At the end of the hamlet, take the path on the left. Continue until you reach Route de la Forêt de Born and follow it carefully on your left until you reach the bend.

(4) Take the first path on the right. Descend to the Étang du Moulin Haut, cross the stream via the bridge, then join the D5.

Yellow marked route "Circular of Bertrand de Born"

(5) Cross it carefully, making a quick first turn left then right to take the path that enters the Born State Forest. Continue to the first crossroads, turn right, and warm up your calves on a nice 400 m hill.

(6) At the top, take the path on the left and continue straight ahead until you reach the Route de la Corrèze (D5).

(7) Cross it carefully and take the path opposite, about 50 metres to the left. Follow it until you reach a junction with a main road.

(8) Turn right, walk for about 200 metres, then turn left at a 90° angle. Walk down to the edge of the Ruisseau de l'Étang stream and follow it to the right until you reach the Étang de Born lake.

(9) Walk along the bank of your choice (left side on the route). Stone tables and benches are available on both sides for you to rest and eat. Join the Route de Bertrand de Born (D72E2).

(10) Cross it carefully, turn right for a few dozen metres, then take the path going up to the left. After about 600 metres, turn sharply right, cross two successive streams and continue to Route de Chez Empinet (D5).

End of the yellow marked route

(11) Turn left, cross the bridge, then take the small road that climbs to the right. You will come out on Route des Trois Fontaines. Follow it to the right for about 60 metres, then take the path on the left. Follow it to Route des Pauvres.

Yellow marked path 'Circular of Saint-Martin'

(12) Take the marked path on your right, then leave it after about 150 metres and take the path on the right. At the next fork, turn left until you reach the hamlet of Las Vignas: the fork is not shown on the IGN map but is shown on OSM.

Yellow marked route "Circular des Coteaux et des Gorges"

(13) Take the Route de la Cima de l'Our on the right. Follow it carefully for 50 metres, then take the path on the right and continue to the Route de Pompadour (D5E3).

(14) Cross it carefully by turning left and then right to pick up the path that climbs to the right after the intersection. Follow it straight ahead, leaving the Puy de Cornut on your right, and continue to the Route de la Forêt Barège. Follow it straight ahead for 250 metres to the crossroads.

Green marked connecting route

(15) Take Route de Tous Vents on the right until you reach the junction with Route du Pervendoux (D72E4). Cross it carefully and take the path that descends to the right of Chemin de Grangeaud, a few metres after the junction. Continue downhill until you reach Route du Pervendoux, cross it carefully again and continue along the path opposite, which eventually rejoins it further down. Turn right onto the road and cross the bridge over the Auvezère.

End of green markings

(16) Immediately afterwards, take the path on the right. Walk through the meadows along the river until you reach it again. Walk up to the bridge.

(17) Caution! I strongly advise against continuing on this route if you are not an experienced hiker. The path can be difficult to see for those who are not used to it, and some sections are very technical.
Option: The yellow-marked "La Boucle de Gabourat" circular route, which climbs up to the left, will allow you to rejoin the route further on in complete safety. If you have any doubts about your ability, do not take any risks and follow the marked route.

For those who decide to continue at their own risk, follow the path that climbs up the Auvézère as closely as possible, right next to the bridge. Stay alert! You will encounter a few obstacles, all of which can be avoided with a little common sense.

(18) You must go around the rocky cliff. To do this, go up the path on your left, and immediately afterwards, find the path in the thicket on your left: a big climb awaits you. The path is difficult to see, but if your calves are burning, you are on the right track. Climb up to reach a natural stone platform. There, keep your eyes peeled, as the path descends to your right. Blue and green paint marks will indicate that you are on the right route. After a descent similar to the previous climb, you will reach the banks of the Auvézère river. Continue upstream until the path leaves the riverbank and zigzags up to the Route de Charoncle, where those who followed the "bis" route will also meet up.

Yellow marked route "La Circular de Gabourat"

(19) Carefully descend Route de Charoncle on your right to the bridge. Cross the bridge, immediately take the stairs on the left and follow the path up the Auvézère to Saut Ruban.

Yellow marked route "La Circular du Saut Ruban"

(20) Go up the path on the right for a good final stretch for your calves. Push hard, and after a good effort, take a breather because you've arrived at the car park (S/E).

(5) Here, you have many choices. You are free to explore this magnificent forest. There are many paths to choose from, and if you have even a basic sense of direction, don't worry, all roads lead to Born.