LOOP
in Saint-Donat

Le bois de Caux

A walk at the end of the world in the moors of broom and hazel trees between wooded paths and valleys dug by the Tarentaise and the Eau Verte. We discover the remains of the abbey of the Bernardines of Vassin founded on the return from the 2nd crusades.
Tips and Suggestions

– Ruins of the Bernardines abbey.
– View of the Cantal mountains.
– Pastures, heaths of broom and hazel trees.

Topo / step by step

1/ From the departure sign, go back towards Caux, cross the hamlet and continue until the first path on the right. Follow it until you reach a street, within sight of the Mazet farm.

2/ Turn right and follow the edge of the woods. At the tarmac path, go right. Go beyond the water reservoir and continue straight into the forest, following the right bank of the stream overlooking it. Ignore the paths on either side. At the exit of the woods (ruins of the Bernardines abbey), continue to the place called Le Vassin.

3/ Take the asphalt path on the right. Go up, ignoring paths on either side, until you reach a wide path on the right.

4/ Take it between woods and pastures. Follow a small road to the right and after 100 m turn right again. 200 m after the bridge, in the bend, take the path uphill on the left. Follow a fence on the left, then a hedge on the right, between two meadows (view of the Cantal mountains). Join a path that leads back to the starting point.

Route details

Saint Donat
Loop
Yellow
Autumn, Summer, Winter, Spring

Description

Departure – From the departure sign, go back towards Caux, cross the hamlet and continue until the first path on the right. Follow it until you reach a street, within sight of the Mazet farm.

1 – Turn right and follow the edge of the woods. At the tarmac path, go right. Go beyond the water reservoir and continue straight into the forest, following the right bank of the stream overlooking it. Ignore the paths on either side. At the exit of the woods (ruins of the Bernardines abbey), continue to the place called Le Vassin.

2 – Take the tarmac path on the right. Go up, ignoring paths on either side, until you reach a wide path on the right.

3 – Take it between woods and pastures. Follow a small road to the right and after 100 m turn right again. 200 m after the bridge, in the bend, take the path uphill on the left. Follow a fence on the left, then a hedge on the right, between two meadows (view of the Cantal mountains). Join a path that leads back to the starting point.
Pedestrian sportsHiking route
DifficultyModerateDuration02hElevation165 D +Distance7,0 kmMax Altitude980m
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