Tour of Lake Mas Chaban starting from Massignac

This hike will take you around Lake Mas Chaban and offer beautiful views of Lake Chaban and a passage through the small village of Lésignac-Durand, where there is a church worth seeing.
The difficulty lies mainly in the length of the walk. In very wet weather, the path can be very muddy or even impassable.
The route can also be done in the opposite direction. Please note that the view is not clear between Valette and the starting/finishing point.

Details

11957992
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 58 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 57 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 248 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 207 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Massignac (16310)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 45.7798° / E 0.660301°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1831E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on the D13 along the lake.

(S/E) Walk along the left bank of the lake, moving slightly away from it to reach the D163 junction.

(1) Cross it and then return to the left bank of the lake. Leave it to reach the D52 crossroads.

(2) Turn right, cross the bridge over the Ruisseau de Turlut stream. After the bridge, turn right to rejoin the path along the lake. Stay on this path, walk past the hamlet of Javernac and then rejoin the D52.

(3) Turn right onto it and cross the bridge to reach the village of Lésignac-Durand at the church.

(4) Turn right, arrive at the cemetery, walk along the right-hand side and then return to the lake shore. Continue on to reach the Mas Chaban Dam.

(5) Cross the dam and head to the right bank. Turn right onto the path running along the riverbank. Pass the hamlet of Valette before reaching Cruzeau.

(6) Continue on to quickly reach the D163.

(7) Here you have two options:
- turn right and take the bridge to return to the D163 crossroads, then turn left and follow the same route as on the way out to return to the D13 car park (S/E),
- stay on the right bank (route) and continue along the lake to reach the D13 car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 221 m - Bridge over the D13
  2. 1 : km 1.26 - alt. 227 m - D163 junction
  3. 2 : km 2.46 - alt. 234 m - D52 junction
  4. 3 : km 4.74 - alt. 222 m - D52 junction
  5. 4 : km 5.56 - alt. 239 m - Church of Lésignac-Durand
  6. 5 : km 6.76 - alt. 222 m - Mas Chaban Dam
  7. 6 : km 11.21 - alt. 224 m - Le Cruzeau
  8. 7 : km 11.59 - alt. 228 m - D163 junction
  9. S/E : km 13.46 - alt. 221 m - Bridge over the D13

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
alphine
alphine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to report except for the last kilometre. The road is closed by order of the prefecture and no diversion is available.

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caty.ha
caty.ha

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well marked trail, with attractive metal signs. The first part of the trail is closed due to rock falls, but the detour is signposted. No café in Lésignan-Durand, the multi-service facility is permanently closed. No encounters except for a small group of local hikers. There are numerous benches and picnic tables, but those in the shade are occupied for long periods by fishermen. Very few climbs, pretty wild landscapes, much more pleasant than Lake Lavaud, which has no signposting. Departure from Massignac, a picturesque village.

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Merillon
Merillon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant route, mainly along the lake shore, unlike the Lake Lavaud route, which includes a lot of road.

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Eric Fournet
Eric Fournet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant, easy parish-specific to Brittany walk along the lake shore. The trail has been refurbished with the addition of footbridges, tables and benches all around, and the construction of an observatory in the reserve, where fishing and boating are prohibited.

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matmarlulu
matmarlulu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

You can see the lake again (when there is water) between Valletta and the finish line. There is a beautiful observatory to see along the way, on the right bank.

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alain.montoux59
alain.montoux59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant path

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Philippe Suteau
Philippe Suteau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Early morning hike, meeting fishermen and birds. Very accessible and pleasant trail.

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Did24
Did24

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very few visitors, but lots of carp anglers.

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Topogeo
Topogeo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

There are few birds to observe in August. It is undoubtedly more interesting during the migration period.

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montblanc87
montblanc87

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

interesting to see the different birds on the lake.

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