Les Balcons de Murat hike

Murat-le-Quaire

Pédestre

Distance : 7.6 km

Durée : 2h30

Difficulté : Modéré

Tracé : Boucle

Dénivelé : 307 m

Balisage : Yellow signs (Chamina).

Randonnée les balcons de Murat_Murat-le-Quaire

An enchanted forest in winter, an explosion of colours in spring and autumn, and cool shade in summer: this hike also offers magnificent views of the Sancy massif, the Banne d’Ordanche and the Puy Gros.

Along the way, you’ll admire the Banne d’Ordanche, a well-known silhouette in the Sancy. This volcanic peak culminates at 1515 m. It was frozen some 2 million years ago, before being planed by glaciers. The Banne d’Ordanche site is also a high pasture where sheep graze, watched over by the shepherd and his dogs.

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Parking right in front of Chalet de la Banne

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Étape 1 : From the Chalet de la Banne, take the climb towards Pallière. Once up, turn right to the La Sapinière sign and continue to the La Redonde sign.

Étape 2 : Cross the road and follow the signs for La Vernouze. Turn right downhill towards Les Pans. Continue downhill to Les Buges.

Étape 3 : Turn right towards the hamlet of Usclade. Turn right onto the road and follow it to Les Rivaux.

Étape 4 : Leave the road and take the path on the right towards La Gacherie (800 m uphill). Go through the small hamlet of La Gacherie towards Les Verdas. At the end of the hamlet, go straight on for 200 m and take the path which rises to the right (yellow arrow and no-vehicle sign).

Afficher les étapes suivantes…

Étape 5 : Cross the La Banne housing estate to the Les Verdas sign. You are now close to the start parking lot.

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Étape 1

From the Chalet de la Banne, take the climb towards Pallière. Once up, turn right to the La Sapinière sign and continue to the La Redonde sign.

Étape 2

Cross the road and follow the signs for La Vernouze. Turn right downhill towards Les Pans. Continue downhill to Les Buges.

Étape 3

Turn right towards the hamlet of Usclade. Turn right onto the road and follow it to Les Rivaux.

Étape 4

Leave the road and take the path on the right towards La Gacherie (800 m uphill). Go through the small hamlet of La Gacherie towards Les Verdas. At the end of the hamlet, go straight on for 200 m and take the path which rises to the right (yellow arrow and no-vehicle sign).

Étape 5

Cross the La Banne housing estate to the Les Verdas sign. You are now close to the start parking lot.

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12/2026 daily.

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Pets welcome
Picnic area

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Forest location, Mountain view

In winter, we recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots.
Toilets, picnic area and playground 1 km away at Lac du Pré Cohadon.
Not suitable for baby carriages. In summer, the Banne d’Ordanche is a summer pasture with herds and patous. Keep your dog on a leash. See our “Prepare your hike” page for advice on how to deal with patous and a map of estives.

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Dogs allowed, always on a leash for the peace and quiet of all users. Mountain pasture area.

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Les Balcons de Murat hike

La Banne d’Ordanche