Aboën walks

Circular route starting from Aboën with very little tarmac and lovely views of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château and the surrounding countryside. Suitable for all, although there are two fairly steep hills to tackle at your own pace.

A short half-day walk along the edge of the Loire Gorges, overlooking Aurec-sur-Loire with sweeping panoramic views, returning via the plateau with views of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château, the capital of pétanque.

A circular route through the very first foothills of the Monts du Forez, which partly follows the old railway line. Until the 1970s, a railway line linked Bonson to Sembadel. Today, you can follow this old railway line – mainly by bike but also on foot – from Saint-Marcellin-en-Forez to Estivareilles. Throughout this ‘Rail Adventure’, you can admire the architectural remains left behind by the railway.

A walk along good paths in the countryside with a few animal encounters.

A walk in the Forez region along well-marked paths.

This short hike offers many views: Mont Mézenc, Monts du Pilat, and even Mont Blanc when the weather is clear. An orientation table at the highest point allows you to identify the many mountains around you. The circuit is largely open, with passages on dry hillsides. Particularly pleasant in spring and autumn, it is therefore best avoided in hot weather.

A circular walk starting from Aurec-sur-Loire along the banks of the Loire and the footbridges at “Saut du Chien”, before heading uphill to reach the village of Malvalette via thePR®® “Le Pont d’Angelard”. The route passes through the Chapelle Sainte-Reine on theGR®® de Pays des Gorges de la Loire, which leads back to Aurec via the valley of the Rivoire stream.

Created by the Aigue Blanche walking association in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-la-Valmitte, this walking trail offers a complete tour of our local heritage. Between rivers, forests, hamlets and old stones, discover the natural treasures of our region and immerse yourself in its biodiversity.

Created by the Aigue Blanche walking association in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-La-Valmitte, this hiking trail offers a comprehensive tour of our local heritage. Between rivers, forests, hamlets and old stone buildings, discover the natural treasures of our region and immerse yourself in its biodiversity.

Created by the Aigue Blanche walking association in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-La-Valmitte, this hiking trail offers a comprehensive tour of our local heritage. Between rivers, forests, hamlets and old stones, discover the natural treasures of our region and immerse yourself in its biodiversity.

Created by the Aigue Blanche walking association in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-La-Valmitte, this walking route offers a comprehensive tour of our local heritage. Between rivers, forests, hamlets and old stone buildings, discover the natural treasures of our region and immerse yourself in its biodiversity.

Created by the Aigue-Blanche walking association in the commune of Saint-Hilaire-Cusson-la-Valmitte, this hiking trail offers a comprehensive tour of our local heritage. Between rivers, forests, hamlets and old stone buildings, discover the natural treasures of our region and immerse yourself in its biodiversity.

This is a very wooded route, reflecting the commune of Saint-Hilaire, which has more than 1,000 hectares of forest. From pine forests to beech woods, you will come across some curious rocks, such as the Pierre-Siège de Saint-Martin, reminiscent of a Druidic site. On the way back, stop at the village church, which houses a statue of Saint Hilaire under its porch.

A variation on the ADTHF 6.1 route which avoids the descent towards the Moulin de la Grave, which is stony and slippery in winter. There is still a slightly steep climb of 100 m before Brouilloux. The route takes you through the hamlets of Chenereilles, with lovely views over the plain and the Monts du Lyonnais.

Circular starting from the village of Chambles with beautiful views of the Loire Gorges, passing by the medieval Essalois Castle, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plain and the Monts du Forez.

Located on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, on the border between the Loire and Haute-Loire departments, the Loire Gorges, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve, charms visitors with its peaceful wooded landscapes, remarkable flora and fauna, rocky outcrops, beautiful Lake Grangent, medieval castles and traditional villages.

This route through the Loire Gorges offers beautiful panoramic views.

Marols and Montarcher are two villages in the south of the Forez region, classified as "Villages and Towns of Character" by the Loire Departmental Council. Both have well-preserved medieval architecture, particularly their fortified churches. Montarcher is a small village perched on a promontory and offers a magnificent panoramic view from Mont Blanc to Mont Mézenc. The hike is mainly through forest and partly follows the "Chemin des Brigands" (Brigands' Trail).

A lovely little walk with no particular difficulty.

Created by the “Trails and Local Heritage” committee of the Merle-Leignec municipal council, this walk allows you to discover the superb site of the Saut du Bezan, as well as various little scenic and heritage gems along the route: the Saint-Roch Chapel, the wash houses in the hamlets of Cubelle, Eclune Haute, Le Cros and L’Ebisaille, the bread oven at Reffieq, and crosses bearing witness to the religious beliefs of the time. You will also enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the commune’s lake and its magnificent, unspoilt natural setting. The path is signposted with customised “Sentier du Saut du Bezan” signs and supplemented by standard yellow and green markings, in the commune’s colours. Plexiglass plaques identify all the commune’s small-scale heritage sites.

Created by the “Trails and Local Heritage” committee of the Merle-Leignec Municipal Council, this walk allows you to discover various little gems of the landscape and heritage along the route: Saint-Roch Chapel, the wash houses in the hamlets of Le Cros and L’Ebisaille, and the bread oven and pitch kiln at Reffiecq. You will also discover the village’s lake and its magnificent, unspoilt natural setting. The return to Leignecq is via the Chemin des Bergères, which winds its way up through the woods.

A very easy route along forest tracks and then along the road through the hamlet of Leignecq, a picturesque spot perched on a rocky outcrop where the village and its church are situated. There are lovely views in a natural, rural setting, featuring a village typical of this region.

A family walk along the old Estivarelle railway line, a path known as “L’aventure du Rail”, maintained by the regional council.

A walk, partly along the Canal du Forez and through the countryside around Saint-Rambert. Minimal elevation gain. At the start of the route, there is a birdwatching post at Étang David. The hamlets of Razoux, Les Côtes, Noailleux and Cessieux. Viewpoints over the Forez plain. Edit: to take the comment into account, 25 per cent of the route is on tarmac.- Currently (April 2025), Étang David is dry due to the eradication of invasive plants.

An open-to-the-sky Sunday stroll in the sun Canal du Forez.