This is a circular walk of around 15 km. which starts and ends in the village of Chatelus Le Marcheix. It takes in the tiny hamlet of Villepigue and a spectacular part of the Thaurion valley where the river is used to provide hydroelectic power. There is a mixture of forest walking and open countryside, with altitude varying between 350 and 610 metres. It is a long walk over a variety of terrain, can be a little muddy in parts, particularly near the river, so strong shoes or preferably walking boots are essential.

Chatelus is approx. 15 minutes drive from Les Hirondelles and there is lots of parking space in the village. When entering the village there are some parking slots on the left (opposite the bar) which we found was ideal, particularly if you have a desperate thirst when finishing your walk.

Walk Details:

From the village take the road towards Benevent L'Abbaye up the hill and past the town hall on the left. After a few hundred metres take the first country trail on the left (opposite a very nice modern house with a fierce looking dog!). Follow this path straight on until you reach the hamlet of Villepigue (pictured right). Turn right and down through the hamlet until you reach the road. Turn left, and after 150 metres, on the right you will see a sign for the Thaurion valley (circuit de la loutre). There is a warning here also about potential threat from rising water levels. The path drops down and along the edge of the river Thaurion - it can sometimes be a little muddy on this path. Eventually you will come to the small dam which is the hydro-electric power station, and the spectacular rock face - Thalamie Rock. You can also climb to the top of the Casquette rock on the left to give you a better view

From here follow the footpath which goes along the bank of the lake, and leave on the first path which goes up to the left. (Marked in purple). This will take you to the hamlet of Saint-Aleix. At the hamlet, take the road on the left. After the last house, you take the track on the right and follow it to the road which you cut across.

50 m after, take the path to the right. 500 m after leaving the forest follow the path on the left which leads to the Croix de Sud (Southern Cross). There is a small picnic area here. After some much needed refreshment (and a rest), follow the road to the right towards Bénevent. After 100 m, take the path which climbs up to the left.

After 1,5 km, follow the path to the left close to a large beech tree. It will lead you to a clearing where there is a large stack of felled timber. The walk takes the right hand path, but you can make a turning to take in one of the most beautiful points of view of Châtelus-le-Marcheix. You will see there the Thaurion valley which circumvents the Monts de Chauverne before it arrives at Bourganeuf. For this viewpoint take the left hand path for 200 m and fork towards the right to arrive at the edge of a large meadow. After this make a half-turn to join the original path.

You will arrive at the col de Lalléger. Follow the road to the right and fork left at the monument de la résistance, a small stone memorial to two resistance fighters who were killed during the war. This road will lead you to cross the GR4 which you will follow on your left to return in Châtelus.

This walk was completed and written by Colin Ormston - 2001

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