The route
From the car park behind the church, take the green-waymarked path that runs between the two houses, then turn left at the junction.
Join the road and follow it for 300 metres. Take a narrow path on the right just before the bend. Follow it to the “la Vessaire” sign.
Carry on to the left, then straight on to reach the road again.
Turn right and follow the road for about twenty metres.
Cross the road to join the track waymarked VTT (mountain bike) on the right. Stay on the track until you reach a junction at the edge of a spruce plantation.
Turn right, then keep straight on until you reach a roadside car park.
Take the track opposite and keep straight on to the entrance of the ENS (protected natural area) of the Montagne du Mont.
Go through the staggered barrier and carry straight on.
Turn right, then left, to stay in the plantation.
Turn right, then left, then carry on to the orientation table and the viewpoint over the ridges and the cirque of the Vallée de la Fontaine Salée.
Cross the summer pasture to a small gate (remember to close it behind you). Carry on to the left.
Keep straight on through the forest (follow the GR30, white and red waymarks) as far as the spot called la Morangie
Keep straight on, then go along the farm buildings on your right as far as the bridge over the Trentaine.
Leave the GR30 and carry on along the road to the hamlet of Ménial.
Carry on along the path on your right.
At the junction, keep straight on.
When you come to another junction, turn right to reach les Lades.
Bear left onto a narrow wooded path between two meadows. Carry on for about another 700 metres to reach the road.
Continue along the road, past the Mont car park, then leave the road on the bend, taking the path straight ahead of you.
When you reach a junction, turn left towards the Cascade des Essarts. Retrace your steps, then go down along the grassy path. Keep straight on, then continue to your right.
Turn left to head back towards the road. Turn left towards Chastreix village.
Turn right just before the climb, go along the farm building, then turn left.
Turn left and climb up to the cross, then keep straight on to Chastreix village and the car park where you started.
What it is like
This splendid hike takes you along a route with varied landscapes: forests, wetlands, pastures and mid-altitude mountains. After a slightly strenuous start, the rest of the hike is fairly easy going. Remember to bring your picnic, but above all take your time: you will need it to soak up all the landscapes you are about to discover.
Getting to the start
As you enter Chastreix coming from La Tour d'Auvergne, keep straight on to the church. To get to the Maison de la Réserve, turn right and then left.
Advice
- Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead. - See the regulations of the Chastreix-Sancy national nature reserve (Réserve naturelle nationale de Chastreix-Sancy).
