Cesset walks

An easy hike in the hills overlooking Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, west of the Allier valley, partly following the GR®300 trail with a few short stretches on minor roads. Easy, well-marked and signposted paths. Beautiful views of Saint Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Unshaded route, best avoided during heatwaves.

Walk around Fleuriel. A bit of tarmac but on a quiet road, a bit of woodland, a bit of meadow. A varied landscape for a walk during which you can bring a picnic.

A walk through the Giverzat Forest suitable for families and even mountain bikers, except around the point (8), where it is advisable to walk alongside your bike.

A family hike that passes through the vineyards of Saint-Pourçain.

A short 8-shaped walk at the foot of Saint-Vincent de Chantelle Abbey.

A very pleasant hike through countryside and forest between Charroux and the banks of the Sioule, with superb views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Bourbonnais mountains on a clear day.

The walk takes you to Bois Coutayon on the border between the municipalities of Vendat and Saint-Pont. In the wild boar park, with a little luck and patience, you may spot wild boars and piglets or deer and fawns!

A circular route, mostly on tracks and farm roads, starting from Cognat-L'yonne and passing by Rilhat Castle and Monpensier Golf Course. Beautiful view of the Gannat plain on a clear day, of course.

This short walk starting from Ébreuil offers panoramic views of the Sioule valley. At the (2), the narrow path leading up to Sainte-Foy is not regularly maintained. The grass may be a little overgrown.

A circular route in the commune of Montaigu-le-Blin, voted the most beautiful village in the Allier in 2012. This route allows you to take a leisurely afternoon stroll to discover some of Montaigu’s heritage, including the large wash house, the fortified castle, Presles Castle, the Roman road, the Celtic cross and St Anne’s Church. It has been created by combining several ‘heritage routes’ offered by this small village, where time seems to stand still out of season. On this easy-to-moderate route, which takes just under 3 hours, the effort is sustained and mostly on tarmac, but the breaks to admire the local heritage treasures and the panoramic views allow you to recover. Only the grassy slope between the wash house and the fortified castle is more demanding, but it can be bypassed by climbing up to the fortified castle from the village centre rather than directly from the wash house.

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 easy walk will take you past some of Neuilly-le-Réal’s key landmarks, as well as a château and a few ponds. You’ll see numerous boundary walls and building walls made of multicoloured bricks, laid in a diamond pattern.

A pleasant, challenging walk offering panoramic views of the Sioule Gorges. Yellow markings. GPS recommended. Not recommended for families with young children (see practical information).

Circular in the Calvinian countryside overlooking the Sioule Gorges, then along the riverbank.

A circular route through the Souvigny countryside, with the first part passing through large cultivated fields and the second part through more rural and wooded areas. Beautiful opulent farms and manor houses line the route, not to mention, of course, the beautiful village of Souvigny.

Very short walk on a pretty section of the Way of St James.

Very short walk to discover a pretty site in the Sioule Gorges

A lovely walk for those who enjoy combining walking with nature observation. Starting from Saint-Yorre, walk through the pleasant undergrowth following the course of the Andraux stream, then around the Coupe-Gorge and Fonts de Fer stream basins. Open views over the Monts Dômes, the Vichy plain and the Vernet hill.

An enjoyable walk exploring the Sioule and the Rochocol meander. This route also offers the chance to see fine examples of traditional architecture (houses with stepped roofs) and provides beautiful views of the Sioule and its meander, as well as the Puy de Dôme.

This trail takes you from hamlet to hamlet to discover the small-scale architectural heritage of this part of Auvergne, in the north of the Puy-de-Dôme: traditional houses with stepped gables, wells and drinking troughs, a former abbey in Menat and a medieval bridge over the Sioule.

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.

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 very pleasant route in all seasons. You will walk through wooded areas at the bottom of the valley, accompanied by the sound of the babbling brook, but also through open areas offering views of the Monts Dômes to the west and the Montagne Bourbonnaise to the east. The passages near the monument to the 11 Martyrs of Goutte Grandval and the Château de Busset give this route a historical appeal.

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.

Set off to explore the magnificent Château-Rocher, which overlooks the Sioule valley.

Discover the hamlets of the Blot region and the superb lime trees that adorn their squares. The second part of this walk will take you to Château-Rocher, which overlooks the Sioule valley.

Hike not far from Vichy in the rolling countryside bordering the Sichon Valley, in the foothills of the Livradois-Forez Massif.