Brive Trail Station: the Causse routes

Lac du Causse is located in the Couze valley, a few kilometers from Brive-La-Gaillarde.

With its 200 developed hectares (100 hectares of water and 100 hectares of natural spaces), Lake Causse stands out as an ideal terrain for trail running in the heart of unspoilt nature.

15 marked trails

15 Trail routes are offered around Lac du Causse with varying difficulties both in distance (from 9 to 38 km) and in elevation (2 greens, 9 blues, 2 reds and 2 blacks).

All our courses can be viewed on WE TRACK, or directly below, by circuit.

Marking of the Trail Brive station, between Causse and Vézère.

2 green trail courses

Route 1 Green: the rise of the Sorpt - 9 km 62 D+
In the form of a round trip, this route goes up the Sorpt river in its entirety with a nice surprise in store... An easy and very smooth route, largely in the shade. Ideal for beginners.
Route 2 Green: Mount Pelee - 10.41 km 180 D+
We follow route 1 until the resurgence to then engage in the difficulty of the route with a fairly technical climb. Then head to Mont Pelé with its breathtaking view of the village of Chasteaux as well as its magnificent and technical descent over the beautiful houses of Soulier. Top course, a little technical but accessible. The local classic!

9 blue trail routes

Course 3 blue: The Puy de Fournet - 9.64 km 294 D+
After the first climb, you will find a very pretty path overlooking the Vézère valley then finally you will find the main difficulty of the route at the foot of the truffle fields. Don't hesitate to go and appreciate the magnificent view from the Fournet virgin or from the orientation table. Course without great technical difficulty but with a nice climb. Be careful on the last descent though.
Course 4 Blue: Grandmont - 10.6 km 284 D+
A short route but well worth it... the first part is a long climb to the pretty village of Grandmont and its pretty view over the Brive basin. Then begins a long descent towards Lissac and its discreet passages... A few technical passages, a nice climb, in short ideal for sweating quickly!
Course 5 Blue: Dolmens and castle - 11.95 kms 258 D+
After a nice warm-up along the lake, it's time for the very mineral hamlet of La Roche and its beautiful winding climb. Take a break at the top to admire the Ladou cirque and its cliffs. Then head to the Chassagne dolmen then, further down, the remains of the Couzage castle and its tower. You will then take advantage of the single tracks offered by the forest to go back down to the lake. Very pretty, mineral route and some nice technical passages.
Course 6 Blue: the dry valley - 13.02 km 147 D+
In the form of a round trip with a small final loop, this route goes up the Couze river, a large part of which is underground. You will discover its resurgence in Blagour as well as the loss of Couze. Rather smooth course with some technical passages but very accessible. You are in the heart of a magnificent valley, often in the shade, perfect for hot days.
Course 7 Blue: The lake on the north side - 14.25 km 408 D+
Circuit repeating 2 and 4. You stay on the north side of the lake to enjoy the most beautiful views of the Vézère valley (passage to Grandmont and the Virgin of Fournet). You will find elevation and shade, ideal in summer.
Course 8 Blue: The heights of the lake - 15.05 km 405 D+
Itinerary which largely follows routes 2 and 5. Note the passage through the very pretty hamlet of Fournet and its yellow stones then its beautiful technical descent to Saint-Cernin and its fishermen's path. Circuit in two parts which allows you to enjoy the lake with a little height. Ideal for medium outings.
Course 9 Blue: Chartrier - 15.69 km 230 D+
A little lake to warm up then a nice single-track climb. You will then cross the Couzage forest to arrive at the beautiful village of Chartrier. Then begins a technical descent to Lacoste then another descent to the Sorpt stream and its smoother return. Course with many small paths but be careful with the fairly technical descents.
Course 10 Blue: Verrière Wood - 18.47 km 496 D+
Route following 2 and 5 but with an excursion to the village of Saint Cernin. You will be able to test your thighs with a superb single-track climb with some nice percentages... Once at the top, you will cross the Bois de Verrière then join route 6 with its dolmen and castle. Apart from the hills, the course is fairly smooth.
Course 11 Blue: Noailles - 19.17 km 250 D+
You will follow circuit 6 to then continue to the village of Noailles and its castle. You will then cross numerous hamlets not far from the Crochet quarries to descend to the dry valley and its return to the lake.

2 red trail courses

Route 12 Red: The 4 villages of the lake - 22.81 kms 564 D+
Emblematic route to discover the heritage of the Causse Corrézien lake through its 4 villages: Lissac, Saint Cernin, Chartrier then finally Chasteaux. You will largely follow routes 2, 3 and 9.
Route 13 Red: To the south - 24.85 km 589 D+
On the way to the south of the lake! Once you have reached Lacoste via number 12, you will take the typical single track of the causse to go to the villages of Favars, Belveyre and Farge and finish with the classic and magnificent descent of Mont Pelé. Fairly long route but rather rolling.

2 black trail courses

Course 14 Black: The complete Causse – 33.9 kms 914 D+
This grouping of several circuits will allow you to have a great outing of more than 30km and 900 of D+. There you will find everything that the Causse has to offer: paths, single track, stones, forest, viewpoints etc... Note the unique descent known as the "dead man" on the village of La Roche. For experienced trail runners looking for a nice preparation circuit.
Course 15 Black: - 38 km 697 D+
Heading for new horizons with this long circuit. After following number 6, head east towards the chasm of Fage then the village of Jugeals-Nazareth. After a beautiful technical descent we arrive at the justice of the peace of the route: the ascent to Turenne. But once at the top the reward is there with this imposing castle dominating the surroundings and this breathtaking view of the Dordogne valley. The circuit then follows the country GR to return to the lake. Very long route but quite smooth overall.

Share this article

Or share the link