This was the beginning of the second part of our 2012 expedition. After a four-part journey from Millau (three trains and a bus), we walked the few kilometres from Treignac to the nearest camping ground at the Lac des Bariousses.
The weather was cold and cloudy, but in the next two days it got worse, with frequent rainstorms reducing the GRs to quagmires. Apparently it had been raining all year in this part of France and the locals were still waiting for summer to arrive. On the third day the sky cleared, to general rejoicing, but by then we had changed our plans. From Faux-la-Montagne we took minor roads northward to Royère and on to St-Hilaire, making sure that we had bitumen under our feet.
The dense forests and lakes near Treignac gave way to more open agricultural land as we progressed, but the whole area had a feeling of remoteness about it.
Travel day to Treignac
Day 20: Treignac to Lacelle
Day 21: Lacelle to Faux-la-Montagne
Day 22: Faux-la-Montagne to Royère-de-Vassivière
Day 23: Royère-de-Vassivière to St-Hilaire-le-Château