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Le Puy-en-Velay walks
Discovery tour of Le Puy-en-Velay and its monuments
Visorando Member
3.14 mi
+722 ft
-705 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
As you follow this route, discover Le Puy-en-Velay (the starting point of the Way of St James) and its monuments: the cathedral, Rocher Corneille and the Statue of Notre-Dame de France, the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, the cloister, the town hall, the theatre, the Crozatier Museum and the Henri-Vinay Garden.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Monastier-sur-Gazeille
11.65 mi
+1,919 ft
-938 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.
Chemin de Stevenson (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail)
158.68 mi
+22,723 ft
-24,337 ft
13 days
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Lavoûte via Chaspinhac and Saint-Quentin
12.39 mi
+1,985 ft
-2,188 ft
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
A very pleasant walk, fully signposted (Voie Verte in Le Puy, then the GR® Red and White trail). The village of Chaspinhac is well worth a visit, and Saint-Quentin is also a must-see. The route is often shaded, which can be very pleasant in summer.
The Way of St James. Stage 1. Puy-en-Velay / St Privat d'Allier
14.56 mi
+2,001 ft
-1,316 ft
8h 25
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
Twenty to thirty thousand walkers set out from Puy-en-Velay every year to do the pilgrimage along the Way of St. James. Discover the Way of St. James by doing the first stage by foot. You can return to Puy-en-Velay in the evening in a special coach.
On the Way of St James from Le Puy-en-Velay to Chanaleilles
35.71 mi
+4,216 ft
-2,694 ft
6 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
First stage of the Way of St James by bike, heading to Chanaleilles from Le Puy-en-Velay. This route follows the Way of St James, avoiding roads with traffic as much as possible and respecting pilgrims on foot. There are, however, a few technical sections that can be avoided by taking the road.
The Polignac Fortress
8.27 mi
+1,165 ft
-1,142 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
This loop between Aiguilhe and the village of Polignac, classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", combines sustained climbs, flat sections and fast descents. As you climb, it offers beautiful views of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and the Polignac Fortress perched on its volcanic hill. Return via the path along the Borne.
The Saint Joseph sanctuary via the Chemin de la Borne
7.74 mi
+909 ft
-919 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
A walk up the right bank of the Borne to reach the monumental statue of Saint Joseph, at the foot of which you will be utterly surprised to discover the panoramic view of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and its surroundings.
Mont Denise
4.57 mi
+1,004 ft
-988 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
Starting from Le Puy-en-Velay, this route takes you to the summit of the volcanic Mont Denise. From the top, there is a breathtaking view of the Polignac fortress, the town of Le Puy and, in the background, the Mézenc massif.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Privat-d'Allier
15.52 mi
+2,172 ft
-1,270 ft
9h 00
Difficult
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
Sixteenth stage of the Way of St James. From Le Puy-en-Velay to the picturesque village of Saint-Privat-d’Allier, don’t forget to look back and admire the view of the Marian city. Once you arrive in Saint-Privat-d’Allier, you’ll look out over the impressive Gorges de l’Allier and its still-wild river.
Crossing the Velay region and its fields of lentils, as well as the Devès mountain range, is on the itinerary for this stage.
Le Puy-en-Velay, a City of Art and History
4.64 mi
+702 ft
-699 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
Le Puy-en-Velay is a crossroads for several long-distance hiking trails such as theGR®70, the Stevenson Trail, theGR®3Loire Trail, theGR®700, the Regordane Trail and, of course, the Way of St James. As soon as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, you can already sense the significant influence that religion has had on the town.
Le Puy-en-Velay marks my first rest day after 15 days of walking on my Way of St James
I discovered a town of Art and History, famous for its lace, its green lentils, its verbena, but above all for its incredible religious heritage.
The Shepherd's Huts Trail
3.46 mi
+735 ft
-738 ft
2h 15
Moderate
Departure from Vals-près-le-Puy (Haute-Loire)
Discover the Chibottes Valley, a site classified as a landscape of outstanding beauty since 8 March 2016. These small dry stone huts, built from stones cleared from the plots of land, were used as shelters by shepherds and farmers who cultivated orchards and terraced vineyards (known as "chambées").
This trail forms a loop, partly following the Way of St James on the way back.
Tour of the shepherd's huts of Vals-près-le-Puy
1.09 mi
+236 ft
-233 ft
0h 40
Easy
Departure from Vals-près-le-Puy (Haute-Loire)
A short family walk to admire the shepherd's huts, dry-stone structures typical of the Vals-près-le-Puy region, near the Way of St James, with a panoramic view of the Loire Valley to the south of Le Puy.
The wild Loire from Coubon via the Serre de la Fare
8.82 mi
+1,188 ft
-1,178 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Coubon (Haute-Loire)
This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.
Saint Quentin, a renovated hamlet overlooking the Loire Gorges
6.57 mi
+853 ft
-853 ft
3h 45
Easy
Departure from Chaspinhac (Haute-Loire)
This tour of part of the Chaspinhac plateau offers numerous views of the Puy en Velay basin, Mont Bar and the Loire Gorges. It is an opportunity to discover Saint Quentin, a hamlet abandoned for more than fifty years that enthusiasts have restored and brought back to life in the summer months with exhibitions, shows or simply by sharing a drink.
More walks in Le Puy-en-Velay
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