Allier (rivière) walks

A loop on the first hills of Livradois, to the knoll of La Grive and then to the Montfaucon rock, which overlooks the mining basin and offers a beautiful view of Nonette, Ysson, Montcelet, the Sancy massif and the Cézallier.

I suggest a short urban hike to discover Vichy, nicknamed "the Queen of Waters". This circuit takes you through the emblematic streets of Napoleon III's beloved city, lined with beautiful houses of eclectic architecture, as well as the shopping streets of the modern city and the parks along the Allier River. You can quench your thirst at the famous Source des Célestins.

This walk on the plateau allows you to walk on paving stones from the old Montpeyroux quarry, visit this magnificent wine-growing village and discover the banks of the Allier in the undergrowth.

A short, easy loop to discover the Guétin Canal Bridge over the Allier and the Bec d'Allier (confluence of the Loire and Allier rivers), starting from the village of Gimouille.

This is the 4th stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage marks the transition from the Pays des Puys du Velay, with its open, hilly landscapes, to the Gévaudan, with its more enclosed landscapes and deep woodlands. The route follows the GR®70 (Red and White waymarkers).

Between Saint-Maurice and Mirefleurs, two former wine-growing villages, the Vallon des Bouys, overlooking the Allier, consists of dry grasslands whose flora and fauna are protected. Below the valley, old lime kilns bear witness to the local exploitation of limestone. On the site of the former Sainte-Marguerite spa, a geyser awaits your arrival, perhaps to wake up.

The winegrowers' houses in the village of Corent are huddled together on a narrow terrace on the eastern slope of the Corent Plateau. On the plateau, an archaeological site highlights the remains of an important Gallic and then Roman settlement. The slopes of the plateau are covered with vineyards producing the Côtes d'Auvergne Corent AOP. You may even spot some chamois. At the bottom of the plateau, the banks of the Allier are rich in carbonated springs.

This seventeenth "mountain" stage with significant elevation gain takes you to the village of Monistrol-d'Allier and the troglodyte chapel of La Madeleine, which are must-see sights before arriving in Saugues.

A hike that combines part of the circular Boucle des Mariniers and the Sentier du Bec d'Allier in the Cher with the Sentier du Passeur in the Nièvre. Information panels and bird observatories. View of the Bec d'Allier from the left bank, then from the right bank of the Allier with the double crossing of the Guétin canal bridge.

A lovely walk in any season in fine weather, whether on your own or with the family. You can explore the banks of the River Allier and its magnificent waterholes. The route is largely shaded during the summer months. You can also listen to the song of a wide variety of birds. This route is similar to the “Circular Source Trail” listed by Vichy Community: a fully developed route with rest and picnic areas. Important: Since 1 June 2026, (6) the footbridge running alongside the tracks on the railway bridge at Abrest has been closed to all traffic. This closure is for an indefinite period.

Route around Culhat (pronounced Kuya) in the Limagne plain, which runs along the banks of the Allier. Hike to be done from autumn to spring as there is little shade on the route.

A very pleasant, bucolic hike on well-marked paths, with no major technical difficulties. You will pass through varied landscapes with numerous panoramic views.

Sixth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage may include significant changes to the GR®70 signposting.

An easy hike with beautiful views, starting from the pretty village of Lavoûte, which will take you to the small village of Chilhac, equally beautiful with its narrow streets, museum and black lava rock formations that store heat and allow Mediterranean plants, rare in Auvergne, to grow.

Fifth stage of a complete journey on the Chemin de Stevenson between Le Puy-en-Velay and Alès. This stage includes significant changes to the GR®70 signposting. Alternatives exist, notably to go directly to La Bastide-Puylaurent without passing through Notre-Dame-des-Neiges.

Lavaudieu, listed as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", will be the starting point for your hike. During the first part of the hike, you can admire beautiful views of the Cézallier, the Massif du Sancy and the Puy de Dôme. During the second part, you will follow the Allier gorges on a balcony trail. During the last part, you can discover a magnificent chapel and pastoral meadows.

The hillsides of the Allier in Puy-de-Dôme were once an important wine-growing area, as evidenced by the architecture of the villages you pass through on this hike. Among them is Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

A former mining area, with a few remains but above all a long, flat path that used to be a railway line.

A beautiful route around the little-known sources of the Allier.

A very pleasant walk to do alone or with the family. If you enjoy observing nature and listening to its calm, you will be in your element. You will walk at varying distances from the course of the River Allier and its former meander, skirting a magnificent stretch of water with a variety of flora and fauna. Part of the route runs through cultivated land. There is no tarmac except for a few metres at the finish.

A long walk along the Allier between Pont-du-Château and Cournon-d'Auvergne. Discover the pretty site of Pont-du-Château, the water pumping station and the natural site of Malmouche.

Circular Écureuil and Busard loop. Set off along the paths towards Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey and the Allier Valley. This hike can also be done in the opposite direction.

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.

A walk that begins by following the River Allier as closely as possible, then the Ribeyre stream through a cool, wooded environment, and continues with views of the Puys and the surrounding countryside.

In the Pays des Couzes, set off to explore the villages of Chadeleuf and Sauvagnat-Sainte-Marthe along wide paths criss-crossing an agricultural plateau offering superb views of the Monts Dore, the hilltop villages of the Limagne and the Puy de Dôme.

A circular route around a small hill in Limagne, now a Sensitive Natural Area, a climb to its summit for a wide view of the Allier valley and the surrounding mountains, then a visit to the old winegrowers' village of Mezel.

During this leisurely stroll, you’ll discover the banks of the Allier, the Limagne de Brioude plain and the village of Cohade.

Starting from Montpeyroux, this circular route takes you to the banks of the Allier and the village of Coude. The medieval fortress of Montpeyroux, "the most beautiful village in France" built with local golden arkose stone, can be visited at the end of the route. You can climb up to the keep-museum, which offers a beautiful view.

This circular path offers a continuous and exceptional panorama of the Allier valley. The path is made up of rounded stones, where you can sometimes see the tracks of the iron wheels of carts. Although today the landscape is a heath where bushes, broom and prickly pears grow, before the phylloxera attack it was an important vineyard. As you pass through the village of Chazieux and the old town of Saint-Ilpize, you will notice numerous wine cellars. Today, the vineyard is being revived. Vines are planted in the village of Auzat on the left bank and the old grape varieties are preserved in the vine conservatory located before the village of Chazieux.

A circular loop around Mars-sur-Allier, on flat terrain, offering the chance to see cranes or storks at certain times of the year.

A long, very shaded route where only the distance may pose a problem. The bulk of the climb is between points (7) and (10), but it is fairly steady. The route passes through the Laveyrune forest rather than via the abbey as it is less crowded, but it is easy to head down to Notre-Dame des Neiges and return via theGR®7.

This circular loop starting from Mezel offers varied landscapes: a trip to the banks of the Allier to discover the Malmouche cliff, small but very useful for swallows; a stroll on the Puy de la Poules, also small but offering unobstructed views of the Limagne and the Chaîne des Puys; a visit to the village of Mezel to see a whole range of wildlife carved in stone.

A peaceful route, accompanied by birdsong and the sound of the river, except for the section running beneath the motorway. Traffic is extremely rare along three-quarters of the route. Beneath the sports grounds at Bout du Monde and all around the Mas lake, there are benches and picnic tables.

Circular walk through the woodland and the Lozère countryside. Please note: there are two streams to cross on the route; this walk is best undertaken during dry weather.

On the agenda for a busy day: a visit to the unmissable National Centre for Stage Costumes, which alone is worth a detour to Moulins; you'll still have time to cross the Allier to stroll through the shopping streets and the historic district, perhaps visiting one or two other museums.The time indicated for this trip does not, of course, take into account visits to the various museums.

A walk along the Ramade Valley. Starting from Reilhac, passing through Langec and Volmadet, then descending through the villages of Guérin and Francon, before returning via Peyrusse and Le Chambon.

A hike dedicated to water. Flowing water, Ruisseau des Andraux, Allier. Water to drink, Saint-Yorre bottling plant, Source des Célestins. Water with healing properties, Hall des Sources and Grand Établissement Thermal de Vichy. And, depending on the weather, perhaps water falling from the sky?This hike can also be done as a round trip, difficulty: difficult (24 km).

A pleasant circular loop on the west bank of the Allier. From the Costet bridge north of Langeac to the viewpoint on the Biot cliff, with a detour through the charming villages of Truchon and Cerzat. Stops at beautiful stretches of river where you may see fly fishers. Return to the car park along the river.

A beautiful long loop, rich in scenery and built heritage, on the heights of the Allier.

A round trip on the Sentier aménagé des Castors (Beaver Trail) from Moulins, along the banks of the Allier.

Take a loop starting from Mirefleurs to discover this eco-park on the banks of the Allier, a former quarry transformed into a natural wetland. You can observe a number of birds from the observation points, so don't forget to bring your binoculars. There are unobstructed views of the Chaîne des Puys in the first part of the walk. Mirefleurs is a pleasant village with many old houses. There are lots of plum and walnut trees along the route.

Semi-urban route along the Auzon and then the Allier rivers near their confluence. A series of two circular routes that you can do separately to shorten the walk.

This circular loop connects two beautiful villages via theGR®®470and small roads (see § Practical information). Added to this loop are a visit to Chilhac, a visit to the Sainte-Croix Priory, and a short loop on the heights of Lavoûte-Chilhac offering beautiful views.

A beautiful themed hike in the hills above the Allier valley. Charraix is a pretty village with a rich architectural heritage in addition to its famous crosses with balls. There are some beautiful views along several sections of this route.Visorando app recommended between (9) and (10)

Known locally as the Grande Boucle du Passeur, this circular walk is actually quite short and easy. It takes you along the Guétin Canal Bridge (the Canal Latéral à la Loire over the Allier) before reaching the Bec d’Allier (where the Allier meets the Loire) via the river’s right bank, on a path dotted with information boards and a few footbridges and viewing points. The return journey takes you through the woodland and then across fields, passing through the village of Gimouille on the canal.

A short walk around Chanteuges to the banks of the Allier. It first crosses the village’s paved slanting streets beneath the old abbey, then passes through La Vialle – which was undoubtedly the village’s original settlement – before reaching the banks of the Allier and then a section of the old road from Saugues to Brioude (in use until 1825).

A short walk around Chanteuges, combining the cool banks of the Desges with a section of the old road from Brioude to Saugues (until 1825), offering lovely views of the Desges and Allier valleys.

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.

Vergongheon is situated on a plateau overlooking the Allier valley. This is why fortified houses, topped with towers, were built in the villages of Rilhac and Lubières, enabling the monitoring of traffic in the valley. The remains of these structures can be seen in Rilhac and Lubières.

A long route on good paths, allowing you to maintain a good walking pace, all at an altitude of over 1,100 metres. A long, steady climb leads to the Moure de la Gardille: a superb view! You then descend to the source of the Allier, before setting off on a long trek through the forest. It’s cool, perhaps a little monotonous (few viewpoints), but the winding route means you need to stay alert. The app is highly recommended. You then walk along the Allier to reach Chabalier. The final stretch is fairly easy, but it gets hot on the narrow roads and well-maintained paths.