Retrouvance® trek: the Millevaches plateau (Corrèze)

Description

This Retrouvance® itinerary takes you to the Millevaches Regional Nature Park, in the foothills of the Massif Central, in the heart of the Limousin highlands, which rise to an altitude of 1000 meters. Dotted with rivers, ponds, and lakes, this granite-rich territory is made up of remarkable natural environments that are home to sensitive animal and plant species: otters, short-toed eagles, sundews (carnivorous plants), gentians, and more.

Marked in particular by waves of evangelization, the centuries-old history of seasonal migration, and the Resistance, this temperamental region has a rich heritage that you will discover as you walk.

In the heart of the wide open spaces of Millevaches, you will discover charming villages and a mosaic of landscapes composed of forests, pastures, moors, and peat bogs, for an authentic stay combining nature and culture. The Millevaches Regional Nature Park has a hilly terrain, carved out by deep, rugged valleys. The altitude is not particularly high (between 400 and 1000 meters), but its mountainous character is evident. In all seasons, the eye is drawn to horizons composed of moors and peat bogs, forests and meadows, among which nestle charming villages dotted with granite crosses and legendary rocks. In otter country, water is also omnipresent and does as it pleases, inevitably leading us to natural environments rich in biodiversity that must be preserved.

If you have other desires, I also propose throughout the summer:

• a 6-day Retrouvance® trek in the high Verdon and Entraunes valley,
• a hiking and relaxing stay in Gap in our cottage,
• some hikes with bivouac on the tracks of wolves in the Southern Alps,
• a 5-day family experience of hiking with bivouac in the wolves valley
• and a 6-day Retrouvance® trekking in the Hautes-Alpes, between Buëch valley and Dévoluy massif.

Program

D1: Étang des Oussines - Millevaches.
Meet at Bugeat train station at 2pm for those arriving by train. For those arriving by car, meet directly at the Retrouvance® lodge in Millevaches at 2.30pm.
After welcoming you and presenting the trip, we will head to the starting point of the hike in the Haute Vallée de la Vézère conservation area. This first day will allow me to introduce you to the area and its biodiversity.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Millevaches lodge.
Distance: 7.5km, positive altitude difference: 250 meters, 3 hours of walking.

D2: Millevaches - Longeyroux peat bog.
We will head towards the village of Chavanac to visit the largest peat bog on the Millevaches plateau.
We will discuss the history of human settlement, land use and landscape evolution, geology, how peat bogs work and their role, etc.
Visit to the Millevaches in the Limousin Regional Nature Park visitor center.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Millevaches lodge.
Distance: 16.3km, D+: 300m, 5.5 hours of walking.

D3: Millevaches - Neuvialle.
Today we will pass by the sources of the Vienne river and then cross the Négarioux-Malsagne peat bog before reaching the Neuvialle lodge.
Today we will discuss natural environments, social organization and evolution, and the social and solidarity economy.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Neuvialle lodge.
Distance: 22km, D+: 470m, 6.5 hours of walking.

D4: Neuvialle - Le Bonneix.
From the wind farm, we will climb to Puy de Mijoie and Puy de l'Aiguille, where we will enjoy a 180° panorama of the Auvergne mountains. Then we will descend along the Gioune valley and its granite plank bridges.
On the agenda for the day: landscapes, agriculture, renewable energies.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Bonneix lodge.
Distance: 19km, D+: 450m, 6 hours of walking.

D5: Le Bonneix - Grand Bois.
After passing through the Mas Crépaud moorland, we visit the Gallo-Roman villa of Maisonnières, then we reach the Grand Bois lodge via the Gioune valley and the forest.
We will talk about the masons of Creuse, the forest, and, in September, mushrooms and the deer rut.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Grands Bois lodge in the heart of a magnificent forest.
Distance: 19km, D+: 600m, 6.5 hours of walking.

D6: Grand Bois - Felletin.
For this last stage, I suggest a gentle descent through the Creuse valley. We arrive in Felletin at the end of the morning.
On the agenda: wool, Felletin-Aubusson tapestry, the building trades school, etc.
Picnic on the banks of the Creuse at the Roby bridge, then return to Millevaches or Bugeat.
Distance: 7km, D+: 100m, 2.5 hours of walking.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• The logistics coordinator.
• Full board accomodation from dinner on day 1 to picnic on day 6 (i.e. 5 dinners, 5 breakfasts, and 5 picnics).
• Wine with meals.
• Luggage transport throughout the trip.
• Bed sheets.
• Return transfer to the starting point of the trip.
• Tourist taxes.
• Organization and booking fees.

The price does not include

• Return transport to the Millevaches lodge.
• Membership fees.
• Personal consumption other than that provided.
• Any insurance costs.
• Personal expenses.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Accommodation in four isolated forest lodges in the forest or in hamlets.
• These high-quality houses have been completely and tastefully renovated.
• Rooms for 2 or 3 people maximum with private bathrooms.
• These forest lodges are exclusively reserved for groups of hikers (12 maximum) who have chosen the "Retrouvance®" trekking.

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