L’Étang de la Prairie

Chanonat

No dogs allowed

Distance 11.5Km

Duration 4h00

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Medium level – Yellow markers (Iris d’eau)

In pictures

Route description

From almost at the foot of Puy Giroux to the Montagne de la Serre, via the Auzon valley, the route through the heart of the PNRVA will take you through a remarkable environment and landscape.

It’s a haven of peace appreciated by hikers for the diversity of its sites, such as the étang de la prairie and the plateau de la Serre, popular for migratory birdwatching.

How to get here : From Clermont-Ferrand, follow the D2089 towards Bordeaux as far as Varennes. Turn left out(…)

Trail highlights

Accessible by mountain bike (medium level)

We recommend that you follow the route using the Mikhes app, which guides you step by step to simplify your discovery. Download the app at the bottom of the page and start your tour.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : Walk past the fountain

Step 2 : Walk past the Saint-Etienne au Pitchou cross, with views of Puy Giroux and the Forez mountains. Go down below the village of Varennes on Rue des Coteaux, then up along the edge of the meadows and housing estate on Chemin des Violettes to Chemin de la Serre. Turn left and descend towards the Auzon through meadows with acidophilous flora, then through a wood of small oaks and Scots pines.

Step 3 : Turn left onto the Chemin de Flore towards the étang de la prairie.

Step 4 : 100 m before the D52, turn left onto private land and follow the millstream to the D52. Turn right onto chemin de Font Rouge. Drive past the farm. Turn right onto chemin de Civadier, which goes downhill, then left onto the D52 and right onto chemin de la Vernède. From the sports field, continue up the path for 500m to the chemin de Paquette.

Next step

Step 5 : Turn right and climb 1.6 km through mixed forest dominated by chestnut trees. Then turn right to follow the path onto the Serre plateau. After the plateau’s meadows and thin woods, join the Auzon via the Chagourdat path. The descent alternates between forests and meadows.

Step 6 : At the first bridge, admire the multi-century-old willow tree. Also on the right, 30 m from the willow, notice the “chaos de Flore”, a mass of large granite boulders with a beautiful dolmen. This natural site was considered sacred in prehistoric times. Cross the two bridges, then follow the path straight up towards Varennes via the Moulin de la Pradelle, the Chemin des Rivaux and the Chemin des Cours.

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