Le puy d’Alou

Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite

Pédestre

Distance : 9.5 km

Durée : 3h

Difficulté : Modéré

Tracé : Boucle

Dénivelé : 215 m

Balisage : Yellow

A hike at an altitude of 1,000 m, with wide, unobstructed views of the Serre plateau, the Sancy massif, Puy d’Alou and the Puys chain. The Gothic church of Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite, with its modern frescoes, is of particular interest.

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From Saint-Nectaire (south-west of Clermont-Ferrand), follow the D996 towards Murol, then turn right onto the D145 to Le Vernet Sainte-Marguerite. The start sign is at the end of the village, just before the gîte d’étape.

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Étape 1 : From the start sign, follow the D145 past the gîte. After the cemetery, take the grassy path on the right (view of the Sainte-Marguerite springs valley). Continue towards the hamlet of Cluchat and take the road on the right. Drive down to the village exit (wash-house and oven).

Étape 2 : Continue on the track opposite, which crosses the ruisseau du Vernet. At the T-junction, turn left. Leave the track on your right and climb up to the crossroads. Turn right onto the D640, cross it (with views of the Sancy massif, Forez and Puy d’Olloix) and continue to the next crossroads.

Étape 3 : Turn right (menhir on the right, view of Murol castle and Chaudefour valley). Stay on the path for approx. 1.5 km (view of Puy d’Alou and the village of Le Vernet Sainte-Marguerite), then turn right at 90°. Ignore the track on the right, and climb up to the D145.

Étape 4 : Go straight ahead on the track that runs alongside the puy d’Alou, then turn right to reach the D640, which turns right towards Le Vernet Sainte-Marguerite. Turn left towards the church and join the parking lot.

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Étape 1

From the start sign, follow the D145 past the gîte. After the cemetery, take the grassy path on the right (view of the Sainte-Marguerite springs valley). Continue towards the hamlet of Cluchat and take the road on the right. Drive down to the village exit (wash-house and oven).

Étape 2

Continue on the track opposite, which crosses the ruisseau du Vernet. At the T-junction, turn left. Leave the track on your right and climb up to the crossroads. Turn right onto the D640, cross it (with views of the Sancy massif, Forez and Puy d’Olloix) and continue to the next crossroads.

Étape 3

Turn right (menhir on the right, view of Murol castle and Chaudefour valley). Stay on the path for approx. 1.5 km (view of Puy d’Alou and the village of Le Vernet Sainte-Marguerite), then turn right at 90°. Ignore the track on the right, and climb up to the D145.

Étape 4

Go straight ahead on the track that runs alongside the puy d’Alou, then turn right to reach the D640, which turns right towards Le Vernet Sainte-Marguerite. Turn left towards the church and join the parking lot.

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.

Subject to favorable weather.

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Pets welcome

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In the country, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.

Accepted animals

Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.

Last update 12 June 2024