Thauron walks

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

Starting from Sous-Parsat, this hike offers the opportunity to admire the amazing frescoes and stained glass windows of the village's Saint-Thomas Church, to stop at Mareilles in front of the "cylindrical" fountain and its pretty basin, and to walk through the undergrowth or across the bocage.

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.

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.

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.

This is a fairly steep and challenging ride for horses. It is fairly easy for riders, especially if they are comfortable with long climbs... Pretty scenery around Les Retouillères. It can be done in either direction, with the biggest climb being on the way to Catheraud on the Puy de Jabreilles side. The paths are quite rocky, so it's best to walk at a steady pace on this ride. The small roads you ride along are quiet, lined with trees and have beautiful verges.

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

The Cazine ponds walking guide was produced in partnership with the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels and the local association A4P. It highlights the exceptional heritage around two ponds currently undergoing ecological conversion. The pleasant route alternates between distant views and the immediate surroundings of these wetlands. If possible, bring a smartphone with you to access the information provided along the route.