Andelat walks

Starting from Saint-Flour, this tour of the northern part of the Planèze de Saint-Flour allows you to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes of this high basalt plateau in just three days of walking. The stages in Paulhac and Valuéjols offer accommodation in stopover lodges. The route follows part of a variant of the GR® de Pays de Saint-Flour and part of the GR®4.

This is the first of three stages of the Saint-Flour Planèze tour. It is the longest stage, passing through several small villages typical of the Planèze with their bread ovens, which provide welcome shelter for a short break in rainy weather. The very quiet paths and small roads run alongside meadows grazed by numerous herds of cattle in season.

Passing through Auvergne? Take the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant break in Saint-Flour. From the banks of the Anver, climb up to discover the upper town via the Chemin des Chèvres and don't forget to stock up on cheese!

Third and final stage of the Planèze tour. Entirely on the GR®4. This stage crosses varied environments and allows you to discover some very interesting, albeit little-known, sites. In particular, the route runs alongside the Narse de Nouvialle (a remarkable wetland) and passes close to the Château du Sailhant and the Babory waterfall.

Discovery hike around Paulhac, very easy and ideal for those new to mountain biking, especially children. It is also accessible to pedestrians, horses and even people with all-terrain pushchairs (3 wheels).

Circuit no. 1 in the guidebook of walking, horse riding and mountain biking routes in the commune of Paulhac.

Second stage of the Saint-Flour Planèze tour. This is the shortest and highest stage. It takes place in the foothills of the Plomb du Cantal and crosses the wildest parts of the circuit.

Discover the history of this part of the Cézalier through the archaeological and historical remains that dot this route. Prehistoric rock shelters, tumuli, Merovingian sarcophagi, medieval forest trails, 12th-century churches, a monumental 15th-century cross, a communal oven, a wash house and beautiful old houses.

The route passes through the old town of Murat and then two religious buildings on their respective promontories. These offer views of the town of Murat and the Cantal mountains.

An encounter with nature in the heart of the Monts du Cantal, with a complete change of scenery guaranteed.

Walk in the hills above Murat. Beautiful views over the Alagnon and Benet valleys. Beautiful old houses in the village of Bredons and the remarkable site of Bredons Church, an 11th-century Cluniac site.

Although it takes a while to get there, this walk takes you along a wild trail through pastureland, where you can see several peat bogs at different stages of development and enjoy magnificent views of the Cantal mountains and the Planèze plateau on the Saint-Flour side.

A route starting from a charming village that takes you to three waterfalls. The Cascade des Vergnes, the uppermost of the three, is only visible from a viewing point. From here, take the opportunity to visit the Roman milestone a few metres further up. The Cascade des Prés Longs, visible from a viewpoint and then from its base, is far more impressive than its neighbours. The Cascade de Prapsou, superb, with a drop of several metres near the village. Ideal spots offering a haven of greenery and coolness.

This route invites you to discover the pretty village of Albepierre-Bredons and explore the Pays de Murat national forest, which is home to many remarkable trees. In the cool woods, the Prés Long, Vergnes and Prapsou waterfalls are the main attractions of this shaded route. Route not accessible from December to April due to snow.

The Cirque de Chamalière was formed by a glacier that reshaped the landscape after the formation of the Cantal stratovolcano. It is a very pleasant place for summer grazing and, incidentally, for picnics. The small streams that run down its slopes feed into a brook, the Benet. This hike follows the valley of this short brook, a tributary of the Alagnon.

Les Prés Marty are summer pastures on the slopes of Plomb du Cantal, where beautiful Salers cows graze on lush grass. On the way there, discover three beautiful waterfalls, and on the way back, a renovated buron (shepherd's hut), an oratory and a fourth waterfall. In season, dessert will be provided by the many wild raspberry bushes that line the path.

Starting from Loubaresse, near an exit from the A75 motorway, this route follows the GR® de Pays circular Boucle de la Truyère and a variant that "turns" around the Truyère river to the village of Chaliers, which is well worth taking the time to explore. The route takes small local roads on both the left and right banks of this river with its wild gorges, crossing it twice via footbridges at Valadour and Terran. The actual duration of the route is 4 hours and 40 minutes (GPS watch data), including a short stop in Chaliers.

This route is ideal in hot weather. You will enjoy the coolness near the waterfalls and especially in the forest. In spring and autumn, this route will undoubtedly allow you to discover the wild flora and fauna in the Cirque. You will leave the coolness behind at the Col de la Molède, just long enough to descend towards Albepierre. ⚠️ At the point (3) , the hamlet of Raveyrol is replaced by Buron de Joaniol haut. This is a naming error on the IGN map.

This walk takes in two iconic sites in the Alagnon Valley: the ruined Château d'Aurouze and its beautiful view over the valley, followed by the vineyard terraces (known in our valley as "Palhàs") of Molompize.

Route through rolling countryside with views of the Lanau dam. Magnificent houses in Orcières.

This walk, on small roads and paths between Cantal and Haute Loire, takes you through five villages and farms and offers superb views of the Livradois to the east and, above all, the Monts d'Auvergne (Cantal, Cézallier, Sancy and even Puy de Dôme) to the west from La Fage.

This route takes you to Lac du Pêcher, La Roche du Pic, the Frau de Collanges peat bog and Lac de Sauvages. I encountered a wolf in this area in the winter of 2017. Then I forgot about it until early 2025. It then reappeared, attacking livestock multiple times between winter and summer. I tracked it down and know its favourite spots. This does not guarantee that you will see it, but it may increase your chances of an encounter.

A family walk offering beautiful views of the Limon Plateau on the other side of the Santoire Valley.

My favourite walk in Massiac. Starting from the centre of Massiac, this route allows you, after 400 m, to walk through countryside with no roads, no houses and no fences. On the ascent, it follows the old royal, then imperial, road from Paris to Perpignan as far as the Baraque d’Oudeyre, a ruined former coaching inn. On the descent, it returns along the ridge through heathland and woods of pine and oak trees.

To the north-east of the Cantal volcano, Massiac lies in a small basin formed by the Alagnon and its two tributaries: the Alagnonette and the Arcueil. From the top of the Plateau de Chalet, a basalt plateau, one of many left by volcanic flows in the landscape, there is a beautiful view over the valley.

The first slate-roofed houses, large pastures and isolated farms herald the end of the Brivadois forests and the beginning of the Cézallier summer pastures.

Take a break from the A75 for a pleasant and informative stop!

A superb hike, mostly through woods, to discover the wild and little-known Truyère gorges. Suitable for experienced walkers only due to the distance and elevation gain.