Station Trail Brive: the Causse trails

2 green trail routes

• Course 1 Green: the Sorpt ascent - 9 kms 62 D+ (+)
  An out-and-back route, this trail follows the Sorpt stream in its entirety, with a nice surprise in store... An easy, very rolling trail, most of it in the shade. Ideal for beginners.
  
  
• Route 2 Green: Mont pelée - 10.41 kms 180 D+ (over 10 miles)
  We follow route 1 as far as the resurgence and then take on the difficult part of the route with a fairly technical climb. We then head for Mont Pelé with its breathtaking view of the village of Chasteaux and its magnificent, technical descent to the beautiful houses of Soulier. Top course, a little technical but accessible. The local classic!

9 blue trail routes

• Blue trail 3: Le puy de Fournet - 9.64 kms 294 D+ (+)

  After the first climb, you'll find a very pretty path overlooking the Vézère valley, and then the main difficulty of the route at the foot of the truffle fields. Don't hesitate to enjoy the magnificent view from the Fournet Virgin or from the orientation table. This is not a very technically demanding route, but it does have a nice climb. Be careful on the last descent.
  
  

• Route 4 Bleu : Grandmont - 10.6 kms 284 D+ (blue route )
  A short but well-deserved route... the first part is a long climb to the pretty village of Grandmont and its lovely viewpoint over the Brive basin. Then there's a long descent to Lissac with its discreet sections... A few technical sections, a fine climb - in short, the ideal way to work up a sweat quickly!
  
  

• Blue Route 5: Dolmens and castle - 11.95 kms 258 D+ (+)
  After a good 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 for the Chassagne dolmen and, further down, the remains of Couzage castle and its tower. Then take advantage of the monotraces offered by the forest to descend to the lake. A very pretty, mineral route with some nice technical sections.
  
  

• Route 6 Bleu: the dry valley - 13.02 kms 147 D+ (+)
  An out-and-back with a small final loop, this route winds its way up the river Couze, most of it underground. You will discover its resurgence at Blagour and the loss of the Couze. It's a fairly easy route, with a few technical sections, but it's still very accessible. You're in the heart of a magnificent valley, often in the shade, perfect for hot days.
  
  

• Route 7 Bleu: The lake on the north side - 14.25 kms 408 D+ (+)
  A repeat of routes 2 and 4. Stay on the north side of the lake for the best views of the Vézère valley (passing Grandmont and the Fournet Virgin). There's plenty of height difference and shade, ideal in summer.
  
  

• Route 8 Bleu: The heights of the lake - 15.05 kms 405 D+ (+)
  This route uses most of routes 2 and 5. Of particular note is the passage through the very pretty hamlet of Fournet and its yellow stones, then the beautiful technical descent to Saint-Cernin and its fishermen's path. This two-part route allows you to enjoy the lake from a slightly higher altitude. Ideal for medium-sized outings.
  
  

• Route 9 Bleu : Chartrier - 15.69 kms 230 D+ (blue )
  A little lake to warm up, then a nice single-track climb. You will then cross the Couzage forest to reach the beautiful village of Chartrier. There's then a technical descent to Lacoste, followed by another descent to the Sorpt stream and its more gentle return. There are plenty of small paths along this route, but beware of the fairly technical descents.
  
  

• Route 10 Bleu: le Bois de Verrière - 18.47 kms 496 D+ (+)
  The same route as 2 and 5, but with an excursion to the village of Saint Cernin. You'll be able to put your thighs to the test with a superb single-track climb with some fine gradients... Once at the top, you'll cross the Bois de Verrière and then join course 6 with its dolmen and castle. Apart from the climbs, this is a fairly easy route.
  
  

• Blue route 11: Noailles - 19.17 kms 250 D+
  Follow route 6 and continue on to the village of Noailles and its castle. You will then pass through a number of hamlets not far from the Crochet quarries before descending to the dry valley and back to the lake.