From Le Falgoux to the Col de Legal

The first stage of my three-day tour of Puy Mary, with an overnight stay either camping or at the Col de Legal lodge.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour of Puy Mary in three days

Details

n°546

Creation:
20 Apr 2011

Last update:
31 Jul 2026

Last review:
07 Oct 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 11.14 mi
Average duration: 8h 00
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 3,278 ft
Descent: - 2,251 ft
Highest point: 5,679 ft
Lowest point: 2,913 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts du Cantal
City: Le Falgoux (15380)
Start: N 45.154718° / E 2.62326°
End: N 45.070425° / E 2.579918°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2435OT
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Description of the walk

(S) Descend towards the Torrent du Mars and, after crossing the campsite, begin the first significant descent through the Falgoux woods, following the red and white markings of^{the GR®®} (chamois may be present). Just after skirting a clearing, the path branches off to the right and leads onto the D680, shortly before the Roc du Merle.

(1) After crossing the road, walk through the Bois de l’Impramau. You will then reach a fence marking the entrance to the Impramau, a vast mountain pasture.

(2) Leave the^GR®®400(which runs along the fence to the right towards Puy Violent) and head straight across the mountain pasture towards the ruined buron at Impramau (signposted).

(3) Then continue towards the Roc des Ombres.

(4) Go round the Roc des Ombres on the left (do not take the Brèche d’Enfloquet on the right).
Marmots nest below the Roc des Ombres (please do not disturb them unduly).
Further on, rejoin the^GR®®400which climbs up from Le Fau

(5) Walk along the ridge towards the Roc d’Hozières and then towards Roche Taillade (both of which you go round on the right). Another, steeper path runs between the two.
Throughout this area, it is possible to spot, or even come across, chamois.
Continue to follow the ridge towards the Col de Redondet, to the right of the Chapeloune.

(6) Once you reach the Col de Redondet, turn right onto the path towards the Puy Chavaroche. Climb it or go round it to the right

(7) Then continue along the ridge towards the Col de Legal.

(8) At Le Piquet, you can descend into the valley towards Mandailles on the left (in case of bad weather, for example).
Otherwise, continue along the ridge and, after Cassaïre and Cabrespine (slightly technical sections, especially with a rucksack), you’ll reach an unmanned mountain hut.

(9) It is possible to camp inside (a bit dingy as it is poorly maintained) or nearby (be careful, as there may be a herd of cows).
Alternatively, carry on towards the Col de Légal.

(10) When you reach a fence, the^GR®® heads off to the left. Leave it and turn right to reach the Col de Légal (E) and its lodge, where you can camp. This means returning to the previous junction the next day, but it’s nothing too daunting.
It is also possible to camp in the mountain pasture closest to^{the GR®®} at this same junction.

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 3,018 ft - Le Falgoux. Towards the - Mars (rivière) - Affluent de la Sumène
1 : mi 2.58 - alt. 4,039 ft - Crossing the D680
2 : mi 2.88 - alt. 4,452 ft - Leaving the GR
3 : mi 3.18 - alt. 4,511 ft - Ruined buron
4 : mi 3.79 - alt. 4,925 ft - Pass directly below the - Roc des Ombres
5 : mi 4.63 - alt. 4,934 ft - Roc d’Hozières – GR junction
6 : mi 6.09 - alt. 5,371 ft - Col de Redondet (1686m)
7 : mi 6.73 - alt. 5,679 ft - Puy Chavaroche (1739m)
8 : mi 7.53 - alt. 5,062 ft - Le Piquet (1580 m)
9 : mi 9.3 - alt. 4,469 ft - Unstaffed refuge
10 : mi 10.43 - alt. 4,514 ft - Junction – Leave the GR. Near the source of the - Doire (rivière) - Affluent de la Bertrande
E : mi 11.14 - alt. 4,045 ft - Col de Legal (1231m)

Notes

Col de Legal lodge.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 56 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4.9 / 5

faistos

07 Oct 2025 at 16:03 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

only part of the round trip from the departmental road to Puy Chavaroche. Wonderful weather, incredible views, no chamois in sight, unfortunately the hunters are out. In the evening the stags bellow, but we didn't have time to linger.
a superb hike.

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Depassage

12 Aug 2025 at 12:08 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The first stage of this three-day circuit is very beautiful, with plenty of shade at the start. The elevation gain is well distributed, and the supposedly tricky sections are perfectly passable without danger or anxiety, even with a heavy rucksack. Make sure you take enough water (3 litres per person; it was hot). We camped in the mountain pastures above the pass after replenishing our water supplies at the inn at the Col de Legal. (The pass is 120 metres lower, so we left our bags where we camped to lighten our load.)

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Depassage

12 Aug 2025 at 11:28 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

The first stage of this three-day circuit is very beautiful, with plenty of shade at the start. The elevation gain is well distributed, and the supposedly tricky sections are perfectly passable without danger or anxiety, even with a heavy backpack. Be sure to bring enough water (3 litres per person; it was hot). We camped in the mountain pastures above the pass after replenishing our water supplies at the inn at the Col de Legal.

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Thierry-72

10 Oct 2022 at 10:17 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this route in 2 stages of around 26 kms:
1- Le Falgoux - Mandailles (La Chapeloune side - duration 7h30 without stops (1h) )
2- Mandailles - Le Falgoux (Puy Mary side - Duration 7h30 without stops (1h))
under ideal weather conditions and few hikers.
It's worth the effort, though, as the views from the ridges are stunning.

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christophe85

22 Aug 2022 at 07:13 7200

Hello
It's ambitious but not impossible, especially if you set off early. There are some steep gradients from Le Falgoux and Mandailles, but at the start of the stages it could be done.

Have a good hike

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LuzZZ45

21 Aug 2022 at 19:48 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,

We would like to do this walk in 2 days with a break at Mandaille, leaving at 6am. Is this ambitious or feasible?

Thank you in advance.

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Isabelle L.

06 Aug 2022 at 19:10 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I've modified the proposed itinerary slightly to extend it over 6 days. But we did everything described in this fact sheet. The start of the hike, up to Puy Griou, was fairly uncrowded, much more so on the Puy Griou/Puy Mary section, which is very popular with tourists, and the route is very scenic, following the ridges most of the time. We had a bit of trouble finding water, but this year has been exceptionally dry...

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baladequercy

06 Sep 2021 at 09:22 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb route completed in 2 days: we skipped the Col de Cabre pass and went straight down to St Julien. As mentioned, there were no water points on the 1st day, so be sure to load up well, especially if you're bivouacking. Great variety of vegetation, lucky to have blueberries everywhere! The extraordinary Puy Mary, a magnificent spectacle of fighter planes on exercises in the afternoon. This was our first visit to the Cantal and we'll definitely be coming back, as we were seduced by all the ridge scenery and beautiful paths.

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laetihe

16 Aug 2021 at 10:45 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very good two-and-a-half-day tour. The descriptions are accurate and easy to follow, especially with the GPS route on the connected watch. Unfortunately, we had to descend to Mandailles at the end of the second stage after covering 20 kilometres because of a storm, but we were able to catch up thanks to the tourist shuttle and finish the loop peacefully on the third day.
There was a slight lack of water points on the first stage, but with the right equipment, it didn't really matter. There were no nasty surprises or major difficulties. The views are magnificent, lush and changing from pass to pass.
We finished with a delicious home-made ice cream at Chez Louis, in Le Falgoux!
In short, I recommend it!

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lezardsdechoix

03 Aug 2021 at 11:22 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a great idea for a three-day trek! Greenery, greenery and more greenery! Partly in the forest.
And cowbells!
No unexpected difficulties for medium mountains.
Of course, it's crowded at some of the easily accessible points.
We bivouacked on the first evening in the summer pasture at the Col de Legal (alone) and on the second evening at the Col de Cabre (7 tents, but not too crowded).
You can find plenty of water on the descent after the col de Legal (before the first bend to the right, take the path that climbs to the left, a few minutes from the ridge), before the col de Cabre above a chairlift at the Lioran resort), after the col de Cabre and before the brèche (beautiful spring under a rock) and finally towards the Luchard. Bring water purification tablets.
The campsite at Le Falgoux is a good place to start if you want to get an early start (very welcoming manager and good grass for a good night's sleep); to round things off, we recommend the gentian ice cream at Chez Louis in Le Falgoux.
Highly recommended!

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tomdu82

19 Mar 2021 at 09:34 3600

Thank you for your reply!

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christophe85

18 Mar 2021 at 16:43 3600

Hello Tomdu82

The longest day is the 2nd, which lasts 8 hours. The first and last days are shorter (between 5 and 6 hours), which means you can start the hike by arriving mid-morning. Be careful, though, as it's a steep climb to start with!

Enjoy the hike

christophe85

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tomdu82

18 Mar 2021 at 11:45 3600

Hello everyone!
I wanted to know if you could give me an idea of the length of the hikes per day?
I'd like to leave from Toulouse and I know that it's about a 4-hour drive. If I leave around midday at the start of the hike, would that be enough to get to the 1st bivouac before dark (hike planned for May/June)? Thanks to all!

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Loganlefou

20 Sep 2020 at 09:51 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The only real weakness of this route is the information on water points. I met several hikers who were following the same route and we all made the same observation: we had to load up with water, just to be on the safe side.
While this may have been necessary on the first day, it was less so on days 2 and 3, when there were regular water points along the route (as long as you had enough to purify).

A very nice walk.

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jorl34

30 Aug 2020 at 09:33 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike! The bivouac sites indicated in the description are very good. The second day is much more varied in terms of scenery, with the descent into the Jordanne valley and the opportunity to swim there I'd advise you to add the ascent of Puy Griou if you still have a bit of strength left, as the view from the top is well worth it (but be careful, it's not very practicable with rucksacks at the end).