The wolf trail

Valbeleix

Pédestre

Distance : 12.5 km

Durée : 5h

Difficulté : Difficile

Tracé : Boucle

Dénivelé : 705 m

Balisage : Green

This loop evolves between river and plateau, far from the beaten track. Small-scale heritage features include a mill, Marcenat chapel, Courgoul church, sculpted cross (12th c.) at La Valette, fountains, old barns, Gallo-Roman bridge and ovens.

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From Saurier, west of Issoire, take the D26 to the hamlet of La Valette, after Courgoul. Hiking parking below the road.

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Étape 1 : From the start sign at the parking lot, cross the Couze and turn right immediately. Follow the track on the right as it rises towards the D634. Follow the road to the right as far as the Marcenat fountain (Marcenat chapel).

Étape 2 : Go straight on for 20 m, then turn right onto a wide track. Leave a path on the right, then one on the left, and climb to the pass, continuing to a crossroads (view of the Valbeleix valley).

Étape 3 : Continue along the wide track to reach the plateau. Descend to a fork, turn right. Continue, leaving a track to the left, and descend to the Courgoul fountain.

Étape 4 : Immediately after the fountain, turn right onto the D26 (carved stone cross). After 500 m, turn right up a narrow path overhanging the Couze and rejoin the D26, which you take on the right for 150 m. Turn right up a narrow path to an old stone bridge.

Afficher les étapes suivantes…

Étape 5 : Cross this bridge and the D26, and head up a very steep path through a beech forest. Pass a watering place and turn right. When you reach the pass, go straight ahead. At the ruins, turn right onto a path that leads back down to the starting point.

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Étape 1

From the start sign at the parking lot, cross the Couze and turn right immediately. Follow the track on the right as it rises towards the D634. Follow the road to the right as far as the Marcenat fountain (Marcenat chapel).

Étape 2

Go straight on for 20 m, then turn right onto a wide track. Leave a path on the right, then one on the left, and climb to the pass, continuing to a crossroads (view of the Valbeleix valley).

Étape 3

Continue along the wide track to reach the plateau. Descend to a fork, turn right. Continue, leaving a track to the left, and descend to the Courgoul fountain.

Étape 4

Immediately after the fountain, turn right onto the D26 (carved stone cross). After 500 m, turn right up a narrow path overhanging the Couze and rejoin the D26, which you take on the right for 150 m. Turn right up a narrow path to an old stone bridge.

Étape 5

Cross this bridge and the D26, and head up a very steep path through a beech forest. Pass a watering place and turn right. When you reach the pass, go straight ahead. At the ruins, turn right onto a path that leads back down to the starting point.

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.

Subject to favorable weather.

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Pets welcome

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Forest location, Mountain location, 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