This is a circular 4-5Km walk from the main car park for the lake. The route takes you through the trees, along the waters edge for around 1.5Km. It then turns inland to follow the course of a stream to reach a main forestry commission track. After a short walk along a quiet road you will reach the ruins of the ancient village of Monsila, and the nearby spring. You then return back through another section of forest to reach your start point. The amount of forest walked through makes it ideal for those hot and sunny French days.

The walk is generally on good footpaths, and is waymarked by orange painted marks on the trees - these can make a good searching point if you have children with you. In the photo to the left the waymarker is on the right hand tree. Although the paths are on the whole fairly good, it can be wet and overgrown underfoot, so it is advisable to wear suitable footwear (not a pair of Tivas like my husband wore!)


Directions to the start point of the walk:

Leave Le Cros and head north towards Laurière. Once in Laurière follow the signs to the Lake (Lac du Pont). After around 5 minutes of driving you will reach the car park at the Lake. We found that the mornings were the quieter times by the lake, and that the French tended to come to the beach in the afternoon.

Walk Details:

Starting from the car park, head down to the water's edge. Walk along the length of the beach to find the path into the trees - this is where you will spot the first of the orange waymarkers. Follow this path along the water's edge for around 1.5Km, crossing one stream, and passing two more major tracks leading inland. Eventually you will reach a second, slightly bigger stream. Do not cross, but turn inland and follow it's course for about 600m. When we did this section it was quite overgrown and boggy. Close to the edge of the forest the path turns sharply 90 degrees to the right to reach a quiet country lane. Follow the lane, passing a forestry commission information board on the walk, to reach the waymarker leading you back into the forest. Shortly after this you will pass through the ruins of the ancient village of Monsila. The path then does a short double back to reach the "Fontaine", the natural spring. (This was passed earlier on whilst on the lane.). The walk then continues through the forest to pass close to the campsite. As entry into the campsite is not allowed, the walk skirts its edge to reach the entrance road. After a short stretch on the road you will return to the start point. Having completed the walk you can take time and relax on the beach, or simply return to the cottage and relax by the pool.

This walk was completed and written by Jude Howat, June 2001