La Dure-Bise (trail run)

You are in the heart of the Monts Dore massif, just below the summit of the Sancy. On the nature side: you start in the mountain forest, pass the source of the Dordogne, then climb up to the subalpine moorland. On the history side, you come back down towards the Grande Cascade, a witness to the massif's volcanic past: it flows over the edge of an old lava flow. At the end of the route, the historical interest continues as you pass the thermal baths, which have Gaulish and Roman origins.

Start: as you leave the municipal park, above the little amphitheatre. You will be on Montagna'trail route no. 4 (white plaque with a black symbol).

Cross the road to take the path that climbs between the two houses; several waymarks are visible (red and white GR and Montagna'trail).

At the hairpin, bear left onto the wide track, the "chemin des médecins" (doctors' path), for more than 2 km

Stay on the chemin des médecins as it climbs gently

Turn left onto the path going downhill

Turn right and stay in the forest a little longer (100 m), then come out into the meadow, cross the little concrete bridge and keep climbing, alongside the forest

Turn right, climb to the left of the memorial, turn left, stay on the track, go past the cable car building and then the ESF (French ski school) building

Turn left and go down towards the ski slope equipment shed

Bear left onto the path going downhill

Follow the road along the path

Turn right and take the path going uphill.

WATCH OUT: leave the main track and turn right onto the steep, stony, earthy slope

Turn left and go down the path through the middle of the moorland

Bear left onto the path that leads to the metal steps of the Grande Cascade

Cross the road and take the Melchi-Rose path opposite

Leave the Melchi-Rose path to go down towards the centre of Le Mont-Dore. After the Fontaine steps, go straight on to find the municipal park again. Turn left and walk back up through it to the starting point.