Puy des Pouges Trail

7 points of interest

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  Forestry

  The Douglas Fir

  The forest crossed is composed of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menzierii), a species planted since the middle of the 20th century under the national reforestation campaigns set up by the National Forest Fund. Due to its intrinsic qualities (mechanical strength, rot-proof red core), Douglas fir wood is used mainly for construction and outdoor work.

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  Flora

  Calluna

  Calluna (calluna vulgaris) or false heather differs from real heather in particular by its tiny leaves arranged in four rows. The name comes from the Greek word calluna, which means to sweep. The two species are often found together.

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  Flora

  The "Pouges"

  The "Pouges" are high paths. The word comes from the Latin podium: high place. In Limousin, these are often ancient roads of pre-Roman origin. They avoid wet hollows and are often located at interfluves (heights separating valleys).
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  Flora

  The dry heaths

  The dry heaths are anthropic. They were created following the clearing of Gallo-Roman and medieval lands. After that, they were maintained thanks to the grazing of the sheep. Today replaced almost completely by coniferous trees, calluna and heather are the main constituents.

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  Flora

  Erica cinerea

  Heather (Erica cinérea) is characteristic of dry heaths (poor soil) which occupied 32% of Limousin soil in the 19th century. The Limousin sheep grazed them.
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  Fauna

  The Limousin sheep

  The "Pouges" are high paths. The word comes from the Latin podium: high place. In Limousin, these are often ancient roads of pre-Roman origin. They avoid wet hollows and are often located at interfluves (heights separating valleys).

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  Fauna

  The Woodlark

  The lark, with its short tail and rounded wings, is a species listed in the Birds Directive. A lover of plant matter and insects, the woodlark frequents sparse forests or heaths. There, by day and by night, you will hear his melodious song, which is considered one of the most beautiful among wild birds.