France - Massif Central roundtrip

Our trail immediately soars up over a very long ridge line amid the fragrance of moss, lichen, raspberries and mushrooms.
The route suddenly shifts to Paulhaguet, and the thermometer instantly goes up 7°C along the way! Weaving in and out of the small stone walls, a network of small paths leads towards the Allier Gorges. This stage ends up at the foot of the flower-filled Cézallier.

The plateau we cross during the morning is the fiefdom of Salers and has a rare purity about it. Indifferent to our journey, elegant horned beasts typical of the region munch happily on the grass.
Further on, the trail levels out over the columned volcanic rocks before ducking into the forest. In this region criss-crossed by crystal-clear rivers, magnificent elevated paths cross the landscape to Corrèze.

Among the box trees and ferns, a daring path nosedives over the Lot Valley. Next, it's on to the highly diverse department of Aveyron and the kingdom of sweet chestnuts. In the foothills, a stream hurtles down, frothing, as if to subtly liven up the stage and refresh the troop.

Passing from one Causse limestone plateau to the next, any number of spectacular panoramic viewpoints overlook the vineyards. The trail settles into the red earth above Clairvaux d’Aveyron. Not far from Séverac, a thirst-quenching stop between the old stones of the Taureau spring in Saint Grégoire is a must. Once we pass through St-Laurent d’Olt, clinging onto the rocky ridge, the route shoots off to the Aubrac mountain tops. The speed with which you gain altitude is astonishing! Ferns, heather and blueberries shroud the verges. Here, the route weaves in and out of the granite blocks.

Following more lofty, slightly sandy trails through the even more mysterious Margeride region covered with broom, we head on to Aubrac. And it is along the resin paths, under the majestic conifers of Puy-de-Dôme, that our French adventure comes to an end.