le chemin de sainte Agathe

This first stage of the Chemin de Sainte-Agathe gives us the opportunity to take different PR®® trails. We pass through charming little hamlets: Lamouroux, Sardier, Grand Cognet, Laurençon and cross a few streams. Beautiful trees line the route, as well as numerous views of the Chaîne des Puys.From the village of Vollore-Ville, passing close to the castle, we descend towards the plain and reach the Gîte des Quatre Vents via the hamlet of Sauvetat.

For the second stage of the route, we reach the right bank of Lake Aubusson, and after crossing the dam we follow aPR® path that climbs gently to take us to the village of Augerolles. We pass by the Pied de Bœuf site and reach the village of Olmet. We pass the Chamaly cross and descend gently towards the Dore valley to reach Olliergues town hall via a stepped street (Rue des Cors).

This fourth stage of the route is the longest and most challenging. We will often be walking at high altitudes (highest point: 1,153 m). We will follow the River Couzon before descending along good paths through the woodland towards Vollore-Montagne. The walk through the Ayguebonne Forest, near the Grun de Chignore, will take us to Sainte-Agathe.

Starting from Olliergues town hall, we head uphill along the cobbled path. Most of this third stage follows the white and green-marked ‘Tour de Pays’ trail as far as Le Brugeron. From Le Brugeron, head towards Le Grun de Batailler, passing the Begue mill (waterfall). Cross Le Clef. At La Croix de Sainte-Agathe, take a small road, pass through the hamlet of Rochefolle to reach the village of La Renaudie, where you’ll find the communal lodge.

The route (a circular route) passes through the following villages: Thiers, Vollore-Ville, Augerolles, Olmet, Olliergues, Marat, Le Brugeron, La Renaudie, Vollore-Montagne, La Chambonie, and Sainte-Agathe. It passes through the municipalities of Escoutoux, Aubusson, Saint-Pierre-la-Bourlhonne and Celles-sur-Durolle. The legend of Saint Agathe will inspire walkers along the route, much like other well-known trails (the Way of St James, the Stevenson Trail, etc.)