Tour des Vaches Rouges (departure from Puy-de-Dôme)

Étape 1

Go through a gate and downhill along the barbed-wire fence to the groves at the bottom of the pastures. At the level of the groves, turn left to reach a fence; cross the chicane and take a right-hand path through the woods. At the “ruisseau du lac” ford stones, follow a track to the hamlet of La Bastide. Continue past the hamlet on the minor road.

Étape 2

At the crossroads, turn right up the road to Lascombe.

Étape 3

In the hamlet, take a wide track to the left as far as Labro. Go through the hamlet, down to the D 104 road. Turn right to the hamlet of Bac (1 km).

Étape 4

At Le Bac, turn left on the first asphalt road, then right 150 m further on. Descend through the hamlet, leaving lanes to your left and right.

Étape 5

At the bottom of the hamlet, cross the RD 104 and take a wide track opposite to the entrance to the meadows. Go through the gate and continue straight ahead on a grassy path lined with trees, cross a fence and continue downhill until you reach the D305.

Étape 6

Turn right for 200 m. Overlooking a house, go left for 50 m. At the track junction, take the right-hand path. At another fork, stay on the left-hand track. After approx. 200 m, leave the track and turn right. Follow an overcast track down to the bottom of the valley. Find an old stone bridge (Cantal-Puy de Dôme border). Cross the bridge and climb uphill to reach a road (D 128).

Étape 7

Go straight ahead on an old track running alongside meadows (views of Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues). At the crow’s-foot at the entrance to Maubourg, turn left down to the D128. Turn right, cross a bridge and go up into the village of Egliseneuve.

Étape 8

From the couderc du Saillant (information panel, PR trailhead and picnic table on the square), take the road leading to Le Fayet and Marcenat for a few dozen metres.

Étape 9

After the small bridge, leave the road (RD 36) and climb a farm track to the right through meadows.

Étape 10

After a ru, you come to a 1st metal gate (private property), then a gate, go up into the estives following the track to the buron de Naufonds. Follow the path along the fence to the right and down to a gate. Go through the gate and follow the path to a metal barrier. Continue along a good path and leave the pastures. After a picnic area, you come to the hamlet of Le Lac.

Étape 11

Take the small road to the right in the middle of the hamlet. Pass the Estives du Lac visitor center. Continue along the narrow road to the village of Montgreleix (1 km). View of the Sancy massif to the right and the Cantal mountains to the left. After the cemetery, go straight ahead at the crossroads to the church and village square.Stage 8 – Montgreleix – Égliseneuve-d’EntraiguesDistance: 12.4 kmTime: 3 hrs 30 minsAltitudes: 917 m / 1,246 mCumulative elevation gain: 300 mDeparture point: Parking place de l’église, MontgreleixStart – From Montgreleix village square, take the lane between a café and the church, turn left and continue straight on out of the village. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead towards the Saint-Roch cross – view of the Cézallier and Sancy mountains.

Étape 12

At the edge of the wood, go through a gate; follow the plantation and continue straight ahead in the meadow for 200 m to a gate. Go through the gate and continue along the fence to a nearby 2nd gate. Follow the fence in the same direction to reach an old, perpendicular sunken track.

Étape 13

Go up to the right for about 200 m, then at the fork in the road, turn left onto a good track leading to the meadow. Follow it to Rascoupet.

Étape 14

At the hamlet, go straight on for 50 m. Turn left at the gable end of a large building, as far as Rascoupet-Bas. At the crossroads, turn left onto the small road for about 150 m to leave the hamlet.

Étape 15

Turn right and follow the south-facing track along fields and meadows, keeping to the fence.

Étape 16

Turn right (left, ferme des Prades – Lodging). At the end of the track, cross a small road (on the left, you can visit the La Roche basaltic flow site (classified as a sensitive natural area) in 20 min AR) and climb the track opposite to reach a road.

Étape 17

Turn right and follow the road for about 850 m. At the crossroads, turn left at the farm and climb up to the hamlet of Greil. Follow a tarmac lane between 2 houses (fire hydrant) and continue up to a crow’s-foot. Go straight on, and stay on this track until you reach a fence.

Étape 18

Go through the fence and follow the track which heads level towards the buron de Marquisat (private property; cows grazing). At the buron, cross an electric fence and follow the faint, level track heading north-west (a small stream runs parallel to and to the right of the track marked with large stones). Head straight for a partially buried reservoir on the other side of a fence. Follow the fence upwards, without crossing it, for over 100 m to reach a gate.

Étape 19

Cross 2 successive fences (gates) and descend towards the Marquisat farm. Follow the road opposite.

Étape 20

Just after reaching La Clède farm (crossroads), take the left-hand path. Pass a reservoir (bench) and descend towards the INRA facilities at La Borie.

Étape 21

After the farm buildings, turn right onto a good track lined with tall trees. Follow it to Marcenat.Stage 7 – Marcenat – MontgreleixDistance: 14.8 kmTime: 4 h 15Altitudes: 1,049 m / 1,273 mCumulative elevation gain: 555 mDeparture point: Parking place de Castellane, MarcenatStart – From Marcenat’s main street, head down towards Condat. When you reach the old people’s home, leave the Condat road (D 679) and continue straight on for 50 m, alongside the multi-purpose hall (gîte rural).