Le Téton de Vénus

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Start – With your back to the sports sign, go back up to the road and cross it. At the start sign, continue along the narrow road for about 20 metres. Before the chalet, turn left and take a wide track up to the crossroads.

1- At the intersection, turn right and continue on the large forest track for about 150 metres. At the next crossroads, take the track which rises to the left. The track rises into the fir forest. Keep to the main track, ignoring intersections. The path becomes narrower and enters the beech forest. Follow the signs until you leave the wood. Continue to climb through broom heath to reach a flat area in a summer pasture (beware of herds).

2- Turn left and continue into the meadow, heading for the Rocher du Bec de l’Aigle. When you reach the base of the rock, follow a path around it to the left. After passing the large rut, continue on the track, which becomes stony and climbs to reach the ridge and then the Bec de l’Aigle pass (1700 m).

3- Take the ridge path overlooking the Roches de Vassivière, cross the gate and pass under the Téton de Vénus, which can also be climbed (1669 m) to enjoy a magnificent view of all the surrounding valleys and peaks. Pass under the Puy de Bataillouze and reach an intersection.

4- Turn left, and descend into the broom heath to find the Meije-Coste buron (guarded refuge). After the buron, take the trail down to the bottom of the Font d’Alagon glacial cirque. Cross a gate, continue downhill and reach the crossroads of the pistes.

5- At the crossroads, turn left onto the main track for a good kilometer. This takes you back to Font d’Alagnon and the starting point.