The lime of Caure
Augnat
Dogs allowed
Distance 12Km
Duration 3h30
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Yellow
In pictures
Route description
This route begins in a wood and then crosses a basalt table where you can see wetlands, dry grasslands, varied environments and, depending on the season, ephemeral lakes on Caure lime decorated with rushes and water irises blooming in June. Beautiful Views.
Starting point – From the starting sign, go down the rue des Bergers behind the town hall (the Couze d’Ardes valley). Turn left on Chemin de Poudain and at the grassy flat, go opposite until you reach the road.
1 – Take it on the left (Ardes and(…)
Trail highlights
– The Couze d’Ardes valley.
– Ardes and the Rentières valley.
– Sixteenth-century fortified house.
– View of the Livradois mountains, Deves, Signal du Luguet, Cézalier, Allagnon valley, terres rouges and Boudes hills.
– Off the tour : return trip to see the temporary lake.
– Small heritage sites : crosses, wash-houses, stone arches.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : From the start sign, walk down the rue des bergers behind the town hall (the Couze d’Ardes valley). Turn left onto the Chemin de Poudain and, at the grassy plateau, head straight ahead until you reach the road.
Step 2 : Turn left (Ardes and the Rentières valley) and at the entrance to Poudain, turn right twice, then left downhill. At the next crossroads, turn left (watch out for another yellow PR, the Apchat circuit, which goes down to Ardes). Take the main path up to the plateau and, at the crow’s feet, turn left towards the cross to Apchat.
Step 3 : Cross the Place du Puits towards the church. Go around it to return to the main road (16th-century fortified house) and head towards Perpezat (view of the Monts du Livradois). Go through the hamlet, past the wash-houses and under the stone arch. At the fork, turn left. At the next fork (signposted mountain-bike variant), continue left up the plateau to the crossroads (off-trail return, 100 m straight on to see the temporary lake).
Step 4 : On returning from the off-trail, go right (the Luguet signal and the Cézallier) and at the T-junction, go left on the stony track. At the crossroads, take the long, wide track on the left (the Alagnon valley) down to the T-junction. Turn right (les terres rouges and les coteaux de Boudes) towards Augnat. As you enter the village, ignore rue du lavoir. Take rue des Pradeaux and left, down rue de l’Ancienne Forge to Place de l’Église. Climb up in front of the church and turn left into rue Sainte-Marthe, then left into place du Cézallier. Join the road and turn left into Place de la Mairie.
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
HIKING FRIENDS, BE CAREFUL !
Following the recent heavy snowfalls, many trees have fallen on the hiking trails, causing a great deal of damage : landslides, falling branches, etc.
We would be grateful if you could report any problems encountered during your hikes as soon as possible to the RANDOPDIPR@puy-de-dome.fr e-mail address. Thank you for your cooperation.
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, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
South of Clermont-Ferrand, on the A75, exit 17, follow signs for Ardes-sur-Couze. On the D214, turn left onto the D35 and then the D35 bis to reach Augnat. Parking on Place de la Mairie.
Downloadable :
Photo credits : Florine Tony, Florine Tony, Norbert Dutranoy, Florine Tony, Florine Tony, Florine Tony
Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme