Circuit of the Cantalien volcano via the GR®400, clockwise

Hello,

I am going to the Cantal region for the holidays and am considering doing the GR400 on horseback (with a pack horse to carry our belongings).
I am writing to find out if there are many parks and fences to cross and if any passages seem too difficult for our four-legged friends.
Thank you in advance for your comments.

marie

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route, taken in the opposite direction to most walkers. It feels like the end of the world. I didn’t climb Puy Mary because of the bad weather, nor did I do the Lioran–Murat section. From the ridges, you can see the routes taken the day before and the one planned for the following day. You really do need to follow the GR signposts and, at times, use your GPS when crossing a large meadow.

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I can confirm what has been said in the other reviews: the first stage has lost a great deal of its appeal since the route was altered and it is no longer possible to follow the ridges.
You can avoid the first stage by setting off directly from Super Lioran and returning there. You can then complete the GR in six days by descending on the last day directly from the Plomb du Cantal on foot to Super Lioran… or by cable car for those who are feeling tired.
Furthermore, there are plenty of ‘new route’ signs dotted along the GR, apparently due to conflicts with livestock farmers. It’s a shame, as access to fields where there are cows is now extremely secure (barriers, gates that close automatically…) – though you still need to remember to close the latch on some of these devices… We can only urge absent-minded walkers not to forget this essential step and hope for a little more leniency from the farmers!
The walk is magnificent once you reach the ridges. Some of the beech woods are superb too (there’s a stunning sunken path setting off from Mandailles). On the other hand, as you approach the villages, you still end up walking quite a bit on roads. The GR route is quite concentrated and you pass very close to paths you’ve already walked along...

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Good evening,
Is there any information available on walking the GR400 in an anti-clockwise direction? Is the guidebook poorly put together, or is it just that my brain can’t make sense of it? . It seems very complicated to work from the end, as everything is the other way round… This is my first hike and I’m not used to navigating…
Thanks
Virginie

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