Arconsat 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. There is a long climb 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. You’ll discover numerous isolated houses, beautifully restored by those who love solitude.

Hidden in the heart of the Bois Noirs, the Pierre aux Deux Yeux (Two-Eyed Stone) watches over the unwary hiker. If you escape it, the majestic old oak tree will grant you some of its serenity. Then take a break at the foot of the Roc du Guet rock formation, a place conducive to meditation.

A family-friendly route for a breath of fresh air in the Dole forest at Chausseterre. A shaded route, very pleasant on hot days. It has its charms in other seasons, too. This is a route marked by Urfé Random and the Pays d’Urfé Community of Communes with the number 28.

For much of this route, it is clear why we are walking through the Bois Noirs, as the light sometimes struggles to penetrate the foliage. In other places, however, tree felling has opened up the view, and the number of logs stacked along the paths is impressive.

The Giant of the Bois Noirs, whose summit is often shrouded in clouds or mist, can be approached from Lavoine or Saint-Priest-la-Prugne. For this walk, we chose to approach it via Palladuc. It is a fairly strenuous walk, but one that guarantees peace and quiet, wide open spaces and sweeping views over this part of the beautiful Auvergne region.

An easy walk through fields and woods to discover a beautiful rock formation, the Autel de la Baronnie, with its wobbly stone, armchairs and potholes, followed by a large majestic oak tree at the Ferme de la Gilbernie.

A walk in the Netrablaise countryside, across fields, from hamlet to hamlet, to discover an old and majestic chestnut tree.

A gentle hike to start your holiday in the Forez mountains.

Winding its way between forests and pastures, this walk leads to the foot of Rocher Saint-Vincent, the protective power of Lavoine and the Sichon valley.

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.

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.

A trail themed around cutlery. As you follow the Durolle, you’ll step back in time as you discover the waterwheels, a type of mill powered by the river’s flow. They reveal the valley’s rich industrial past. The arrival of electrification in the 20th century eventually brought an end to these waterwheels.

A pleasant, mostly shaded walk leading to a magnificent panorama from the summit (granite chaos at an altitude of 1,260 metres).

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.

A hike to an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres, through a farming landscape where you will encounter ancient heritage.

Circular through the countryside and forest to discover Les Cornes d'Urfé.

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.

The route (a circular route) passes through the following villages: Thiers, Vollore-Ville, Augerolles, Olmet, Olliergues, Marat, Le Brugeron, La Renaudie, Vollore-Montagne, La Chambonie, and Sainte-Agathe. It passes through the municipalities of Escoutoux, Aubusson, Saint-Pierre-la-Bourlhonne and Celles-sur-Durolle. The legend of Saint Agathe will inspire walkers along the route, much like other well-known trails (the Way of St James, the Stevenson Trail, etc.)

Thiers is a city of challenges. In this grandiose and isolated location in the heart of Auvergne, the inhabitants of Thiers have had to contend with a turbulent river, the Durolle, and the steep slopes of its gorges. Over time, thanks to numerous developments, this partially tamed river has ensured the industrial prosperity of the town, which is known as the cutlery capital of France.

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.

A 4-day hiking tour from lodge to lodge in the Monts de la Madeleine (low mountain range) west of the town of Roanne. Immerse yourself in nature, often still wild, by taking as many small paths as possible.

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.

For the second stage of the route, we reach the right bank of Lake Aubusson, and after crossing the dam we follow aPR® path that climbs gently to take us to the village of Augerolles. We pass by the Pied de Bœuf site and reach the village of Olmet. We pass the Chamaly cross and descend gently towards the Dore valley to reach Olliergues town hall via a stepped street (Rue des Cors).

Horse ride along the banks of the Dore and Miodet rivers, on the edge of the Livradois-Forez Nature Park. Route proposed for the 20th edition of Chevalmania, which attracted 72 riders.