Aix (rivière) - Affluent de la Loire walks

The fifth stage of the Boucle du Rez de Sol route, where you leave the Auvergne to return to the Loire region by crossing the Col Saint-Thomas, famous for its sign reading “Here ends France, here begins the Auvergne”. You leave the Bois Noirs to pass through the pretty hamlets of Chausseterre and then Saint-Just-en-Chevalet. A long climb leads up to the Pras plateau at an altitude of 1,000 metres (in the commune of Cherier), involving a 400-metre ascent in the second half of the day, along lovely little shaded paths well maintained by the Urfé Community of Communes. Discover numerous isolated houses, beautifully restored by those who love solitude.

Second stage of a 5-day horse-riding route across the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. A typical mid-mountain route, featuring open countryside used for livestock farming, deciduous forests, lively villages, and quiet, well-maintained paths. The start involves little elevation gain (La Tuilière plateau), but most of the climb comes towards the end, after crossing into the Allier.

Third stage of the Rez de Sol circular route, straddling the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. There is a stark contrast as you cross from the Allier into the Puy-de-Dôme: from pretty mid-mountain hamlets as far as Lavoine, then a landscape dominated by forests cascading down deep gorges from which a few hilltop villages emerge, seeming timeless, towards St-Victor-Montvianeix (a very extensive commune covering 4,500 ha). An optional detour takes you to the Rez de Sol (1.6 km). Omitting this route reduces the length of the stage by the same distance.

Stage4 of the circular mid-mountain loop linking the Monts de la Madeleine, Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois – picturesque hilltop villages nestled in deep gorges carved out by rivers, from the beautiful Muratte Dam to the village of Arconsat: explore the wooded and unspoilt countryside on the Auvergne side of the Puy de Montoncel. This stage very often follows the routes of the Espace VTT Bois Noirs, guaranteeing that you’ll find open, signposted trails.

Departure from the Loge des Gardes sports centre. Start the day in the beautiful beech undergrowth of the Assise State Forest, above 1,000 metres altitude, before descending to the more open plateaus of La Tuilière and Cherier, with beautiful views. End at the Refuge du Point du Jour lodge (overnight stay and meals made with farm produce) (altitude 870 metres).

First stage of a 5-day route through the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. Most of the day is spent on the lovely paths of the commune of Cherier, offering a range of views from the tops of its hills, amidst unspoilt countryside. At the end of the route, the path descends to Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, after passing through the charming hamlet of Fonthieur.

Departure from a high point in the Monts de la Madeleine, in Cherier, at a place called Le Point du Jour (870 m, 14-bed stopover lodge with meals) to descend to the Côte Roannaise, cross its vine-covered hillsides and arrive at the medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (14-bed stopover lodge with meals). This route gives priority to small paths with no motor vehicle traffic and beautiful views of the Roanne plain.

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.

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.