An 18km round on a warm day from Mont Dore while staying in La Bourboule.
Route: Leaving the car in the small funicular car park of Mont Dore and walking left round a church, onto a road and almost immediately uphill on clear broad stony track. Where the track turned left, taking a direct minor path uphill and then right on a broader track to meet the original track making its way up less impatiently. At a sign to the top of the funicular, following it left uphill and round to the funicular building where heading directly away from it uphill on a stony path to meet and turn left on a briefly paved road, slight left at a fork and soon getting a view of Le Capucin. Having passed beneath the summit lump, taking a narrow path shortcut, rejoining the main track at a building and here heading onto the broad ridge with no further navigation issues, as the track either narrowly missed or found gentle ways up all the subsidiary peaks before a large staircase leading to the incredibly busy and (consequently?) fly-ridden summit of Puy de Sancy. Hence descending at speed to the next col (Col de la Cabane) where the solution to brief navigation confusion was to follow the G4 to the right of the next small hill of the horseshoe and then back roughly on the top of the undulating ridge eventually to Roc du Cuzeau. Descending on zigzags then heading to the edge of the plateau before returning (following signs to the Grand Cascade) above an initially dry stream-bed to reach stairs descending by a fine waterfall. Then down the obvious path, crossing the D36 and turning right on a path and then a steep left back into the town.Conditions: initially hot though cooler with some slight breeze on the ridge but then only intermittent sun. The odd sound of thunder.
Wildlife: dairy cows (apparent from the sound of their bells) and chamois, both from a distance - crickets everywhere
Pub: the Petit Cafe de Paris for Dorian Amber and Blonde (and free peanuts!)
