The route
Follow the yellow waymarks. The walk starts on a small tarmac road. Start: from the Pissagras fountain, walk up the small tarmac road (Chemin de l'estive) for about 100 m to find the start signboard. At the signboard, turn left to begin the hike.
Go right, then climb to the left on a grassy track, which turns into a tarmac road. Carry on along this road as it climbs between the pastures.
Leave the road for the dirt track on the left.
You can climb to the summit of the Puy de Mathonière (about 1 km there and back). On the way up, go past the wooden barrier to reach the summit.
Head down to the right as far as the STOP sign, then turn left and follow the road.
Turn left and head down to reach Place du Cézallier. On the square, go left as far as the war memorial, turn right and then left to come out on Place de l'église. Then leave the square and continue straight ahead.
You can head down to the Thuron fountain. Then climb up to the left.
Go right.
Turn right to get back to the starting point.
What it is like
After setting off on small paths lined with low stone walls, you climb gently towards the Puy de Mathonière. Remember to turn around now and then: the Monts du Cantal come into view in the distance behind you as you gain height. You walk alongside the pastures and spend a short while in the forest. If you go up the puy (the volcanic hill), you get a well-earned panorama over the Cantal volcano and the Cézallier landscape! On the way back down, you reach Place du Cézallier in Allanche and swap the sound of the herds' bells for the sound of the church bell.
Getting to the start
- From Murat: take the N122 then the D679, via Neussargues-Moissac. In Allanche, at the petrol station just before the municipal campsite, turn right to reach the Pissagras fountain. - From Allanche, go through the town centre, past the municipal campsite, then turn left just before the petrol station and car garage to reach the Pissagras fountain.
Parking
You can park before the start, at the Pissagras fountain.
Public transport
The OùRA journey planner gives you access to all the connections between regional trains, urban transport and département bus lines: <a href="https://www.oura.com/ ">https://www.oura.com/ </a>
Advice
- Take care when crossing roads. - This route is fairly exposed, so remember to protect yourself from the sun and the heat (sun cream, cap/hat, enough water).
