A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.
Calculated time: 3h25[?] 
Distance : 6.68km
Vertical gain : 526m
Vertical drop : 526m
Highest point : 1851m
Lowest point : 1324m 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Areas : Massif central, Monts Dore 
Location : Mont-Dore
(63240)
Starting point : N 45.541851° / E 2.816528° A word of advice: avoid the car park in the centre of the resort as you have to pay from May to September. Instead, park along the road before arriving in the resort.
For the departure point, cross the car park, go through the small tunnel and take the last ski lift (1), go up the ski slope and follow the path (it's very difficult to lose your way as there's only one path to follow).
The start is very easy - through a small valley where a small stream flows. You might be lucky enough to meet a herd of Salers cows.
Only the climb up in zigzags to join the pass is a bit more difficult.
Once you've reached the pass under Puy Redon (2), continue to climb up the ridge on the left. There are a few small technical sections to reach the Pas de l’Âne, but they are not very difficult (3).
Once you are nearly at the top, the end of the route consists of a wooden 'motorway', which takes you up to the 1885 m of the Puy de Sancy (4).
The descent is through a wooded area. Take the first path on your right to re-join the ski lift on the plateau. Follow the red and white trail markers of GR4E (5) to arrive back at the resort.
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 1325m - Dordogne (fleuve)
1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1338m - Courre Valley ski lift
2 : km 2.32 - alt. 1697m - Pass under Puy Redon - Col de Courre (1781m)
3 : km 2.98 - alt. 1794m - Pas de l'Ane
4 : km 3.31 - alt. 1849m - Puy de Sancy
5 : km 4.48 - alt. 1659m - GR4E Crossroads - Cascade de la Dore
D/A : km 6.68 - alt. 1325m
"Notice for dog owners": the route crosses a nature reserve where access to dogs is not permitted, even on a lead.
Do not under-estimate this hike. Good shoes are needed, especially in the rain.
We advise taking IGN maps with you on this walk. Click here to buy : 2432ET, 2432ETR, 2433SB.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Many variations are possible such as following the ridges to come back to the resort.
Global average : 4.66/5
Number of opinions : 95
Description quality : 4.64/5
Routemap quality : 4.67/5
Walk interest : 4.66/5
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 03/09/19
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
The start of the description was a little confusing - but in the end we located it between the main cable car and the last ski lift (not operating at this time). Excellent walk through Courre valley and a little bit of easy bouldering at the end ( although hand holds clear and one part had steps cut!). Amazing number of wooden steps up to the peak. Unfortunately missed route down and had rather unpleasant trek down rough ski slope, then found path for the end section through trees to the source of the Dordogne. Overall a fantastic walk on a clear if windy day.
13.84km
+922m
-922m
6h35
Difficult
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+907m
-909m
7h15
Average
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+223m
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2h50
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+321m
-317m
4h15
Average
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12.98km
+354m
-351m
4h45
Average
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4.79km
+140m
-140m
1h45
Easy
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