Etang de Marchaud
Saint-Bonnet-le-Bourg
Dogs allowed
Distance 10.5Km
Duration 3h00
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Yellow
In pictures
Route description
You cross a dike overlooking the pond, where you can picnic or fish (day pass available on site). A stream, a small bridge, a wild beach where you can dip your feet in the water – this is a lovely, gentle walk for the whole family.
Trail highlights
– Marchaud pond.
– View of the Forez ridges.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : From the parking lot, take the main street down to the church, then the first street on the right. Go up to the road, follow it for 100 m, then turn right onto a dirt track leading through the conifers. Just before the D999A, turn left onto a dirt track. Leave the hamlet of Marchaud on your right, skirt the houses and reach La Bardelle on a tarmac road (view of Marchaud pond and Forez peaks).
Step 2 : Turn right into La Bardelle, cross the Marchaud pond dike and climb back up. At ferme des Vialettes, continue along the road. At the entrance to the hamlet of Losfonds, turn left onto the first tarmac track, then down a grassy path. At the first Montel building, turn left down the tarmac track. Follow the path between two low walls, then take the right-hand track.
Step 3 : At the hamlet of La Rouveyre, follow the road to the left for 500 m. Take a track to the right, then left. Behind the Champ farm, take the first track on the right and continue into the forest.
Step 4 : Turn left into the hamlet of La Grange and continue along the dirt track. Cross the road and follow a wall to Saint-Bonnet-le-Bourg. Take the first right and return to the start.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.
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Opening hours
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Comfort, facilities and services
- Pets welcome
Additional information
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.
Dogs allowed Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.
Environment
In the country, Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
From the village of Saint-Germain l’Herm, take the D999 towards Saint-Alyre d’Arlanc. After 2 km, turn left on the D300 towards Saint-Bonnet-le-Chastel. After 2 km, turn right onto the D265 towards Saint-Bonnet-le-Bourg.
Downloadable :
Photo credits :
Updated on 2 July 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme