Andelat walks

A walk that allows you to explore the old town of Saint-Flour, perched on its volcanic rocky outcrop, which forms a natural rampart.

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.

This is a route that captures the mountain atmosphere of the Haute Planèze – the land of burons and summer pastures – starting from Saint-Maurice, a hamlet of Valuéjols, and leading to one of the few wooded areas in the Planèze. The route follows signposted sections (local PR® and GRP® trails) along tracks suitable for vehicles, which link the hamlets and farms scattered across the area. The Bois des Fraux, meanwhile, is maintained by foresters who have cleared tracks there for walking or cross-country skiing, provided there is still snow in winter.

The ‘Grande Randonnée’ trail in the Pays de Saint-Flour allows you to walk several circular routes around the capital of the Planèze and Margeride regions and passes through the village of Paulhac. The circular route crosses the Narse de Lascols from south to north, starting from Cussac, passing the Puy de Mercou, and heading back up towards the Bois des Fraux via the mountain pastures. The route described below is inspired by this, offering a wonderful exploration of the Planèze de Saint-Flour by combining the GR® de Pays and PR® trails around Paulhac.

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.

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 walk allows you to explore a large part of the hamlets around the village of Oradour, following well-maintained farm tracks and footpaths. It passes through the hamlets, alternating between meadows and fields, woods and views over the countryside and the Truyère valley. When passing through Chabannes, be sure to climb up to Le Cheyla to admire the panoramic view (orientation table) stretching as far as the Aubrac to the south. The walk starts and finishes at the village square in Oradour, which is well worth a visit and where you can have a chat and enjoy a drink at the community-run bistro on the village square.

A short, idyllic walk along farm tracks, through a lovely wood of pine and beech trees, before returning gently downhill towards the village of Lavergne and its old farmhouses, typical of 19th-century Auvergne rural architecture. You can take a break on the sturdy stone bench, which is also your starting point. It is only 40 years old and has nothing in common with a menhir apart from the raw material from which both monuments are made! A lovely walk, ideal for families or to start your day!