Circular Châtelperron starting from Jaligny-sur-Besbre

Hike starting from Jaligny secondary school, mostly on farm tracks and paths with around 35% tarmac, passing through the village of Chatelperron where you can see the fortified castle, listed as a Historic Monument: private property, not open to visitors. Beautiful scenery in good weather on the Colombier ridge. Beautiful view of the castle on its rocky outcrop on the descent from La Roche. A small museum of local prehistory and a restaurant are located on the route at Chatelperron station. The return journey is partly along the "Chemin du Tacot", an old railway line.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 211 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 204 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 345 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 245 m

Description of the walk

Park at Place René Fallet, in the car park on the banks of the Bresbe.

(S/E) Head towards the bridge, but without crossing it, walk along the right bank of the Besbre to pass in front of the Maison Aquarium. Follow the road as it bends to the right, then, opposite the stadium, turn left onto Rue des Zerodes. Keep to the right until you reach the junction with the D21.

(1) Cross it carefully, turn left and follow the road, observing the traffic rules, until you reach the junction.

(2) Turn right and follow Chemin des Poulards for about 500 metres.

(3) Turn left onto the track that descends, cross the D21, observing the safety rules, and continue straight ahead on the track. Pass Les Tains, continuing to the right until you reach the D21 again.

(4) Cross it carefully in the direction of La Jarrie. Pass the farm and continue to the crossroads.

(5) Take the track on the left, cross the Graveron (stream) and reach a crossroads of tracks on the edge of a wooded area.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the track that climbs towards Le Colombier. Pass the hamlet and stay on the road that turns left and crosses a wood. You will reach a road/track junction.

(7) At the edge of the woods, turn left onto the tarmac road. Continue to the inverted Y-shaped crossroads located about 100 metres before you reach the Bellevue farm buildings.

(8) Take the hairpin turn to the right towards Beaufort on Route de Périsse. Cross the Mouchelle (stream), leave Périsse on your left and continue to the T-junction.

(9) Turn left towards Les Chambets. Do not enter the property, but take the passage closed by a barrier on the left: an old wooden sign indicates the direction of "Châtelperron". Don't forget to close it behind you. There will be three successive gates to open and close. Cross the Roche estate: beautiful view of the castle. Join the D21 and follow it carefully to the left to descend to the old Châtelperron station: Museum of Prehistory on the right.

(10) Leave the D21, turn left towards the castle and, at the bend, follow the track on the right that runs alongside the Graveron.

(11) Ignore the bridge over the stream, continue straight on along the "Chemin du Tacot" and you will come to a crossroads that you passed on the way there.

(6) Continue straight ahead, heading south, cross the Graveron and you will come to a three-way junction.

(12) Follow the path on your right, cross the Graveron again and climb the track to rejoin the tarmac Route des Marcauds. Turn right and, in the bend, stay on the road to reach the hamlet of Les Écures.

(13) Turn left onto Route des Nesmes, which becomes Chemin des Facholles further on. Continue to join Route du Donjon (D989).

(14) Cross it carefully(long straight stretch) and then follow it to the right. Pass the cemetery and enter Jaligny-sur-Besbre via Grande Rue.

(15) Turn right at the hotel-restaurant using the pedestrian crossing, then head left to follow Rue des Chenevières. Turn left into the Place René Fallet car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 245 m - Place René Fallet, car park - Besbre (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 263 m - D21 crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.04 - alt. 271 m - Chemin des Poulards
  4. 3 : km 1.48 - alt. 287 m - Turn left at the fork.
  5. 4 : km 4 - alt. 298 m - D21
  6. 5 : km 4.45 - alt. 298 m - Crossroads, on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.36 - alt. 262 m - Crossroads of the circular loop - Graveron (cours d'eau) - Affluent de la Besbre
  8. 7 : km 7.08 - alt. 345 m - Tarmac road on the left
  9. 8 : km 8.38 - alt. 307 m - Route de Périsse
  10. 9 : km 10.19 - alt. 318 m - Crossroads, on the left
  11. 10 : km 12.27 - alt. 253 m - The old station, on the left - Château de Châtelperron
  12. 11 : km 13.15 - alt. 256 m - Bridge, straight ahead
  13. 12 : km 15.15 - alt. 262 m - Three-way junction, turn right
  14. 13 : km 16.27 - alt. 301 m - Les Écures, on the left
  15. 14 : km 18.05 - alt. 260 m - Route du Donjon, D989, on the right
  16. 15 : km 18.76 - alt. 249 m - Hotel-restaurant, on the right
  17. S/E : km 18.98 - alt. 245 m - Place René Fallet

Worth a visit

(10) Visit the small Museum of Prehistory (local) at Châtelperron station (when open).

Restaurant "La Grotte aux Fées" also at Châtelperron station.

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