Boutières Cirque
LES ESTABLES
Boutières Cirque
Medium
Difficulty3h15
Duration12,3km
Distance+0m
Positive Elevation0m
Negative ElevationLoop
Course typeNetwork
Network
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This hike goes around the Mont Mézenc via the Boutières Cirque and offers landscapes among the most beautiful in the Massif Central, from the summit as from the Boutières Cross. If the climb is well frequented, it becomes far less busy as soon as you pass the Boutières Cross towards Medille, while still offering grand landscapes that will delight nature lovers. This decidedly mountainous walk will amaze you by the dramatic variety of the landscapes you will go through on the Haute-Loire side (high plateau) and on the Ardèche side (very steep and rugged).
Description
- From the Peccata Cross parking lot, take the track going uphill towards the Mézenc. After 1 km, leave the track to follow a narrower path on the left, into the woods. The path goes up more and more steeply up to a crossways, from where you can see the two Mézenc summits.
- From there, you can make a return trip to the two summits. Going back to the crossways, take the path on your left, back towards the forest. It goes downhill among conifers to the Boutières parking lot.
- From the Boutières parking lot, you can reach the Boutières Cirque interpretive board by a return trip on the GR (long-distance path) going uphill in the forest.
- After about 500 m, you will find on your left the interpretive board above the Boutières Cirque. Back to the parking lot, take the road going downhill on your right towards the Cirque.
- After 60 m, take the wider path on the left. After 1.5 km, at the crossways, go straight ahead. The path goes down rather steeply at times, and leads to the "route touristique du Mézenc".
- Take it on the left for about 1.5 km.
- Once you reach the meadow along the Medille farm, take the path on the left, in the meadow, to reach a crossways.
- Turn right, and then left towards the forest. You will go through a peat bog. Once you reach an intersection, take the path on the left, perpendicular to the one you came on.
- You will meander in the forest, find another peat bog then overlook rocks, and then reach a large track fairly straight. It will lead you back to the Peccata Cross parking lot.
- Departure : Peccata Cross, road D400, Les Estables
- Arrival : Peccata Cross, road D400, Les Estables
- Towns crossed : BOREE, CHAUDEYROLLES, LA ROCHETTE, and LES ESTABLES
Sensitive areas
Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
- Impacted practices:
- All practices
- Contact:
Access and parking
From Les Estables, take the forest road D274 towards Chaudeyrolles (closed in winter).
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: