Chambles walks

Circular starting from the village of Chambles with beautiful views of the Loire Gorges, passing by the medieval Essalois Castle, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plain and the Monts du Forez.

This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.

This route through the Loire Gorges offers beautiful panoramic views.

An easy, mostly shaded walk with beautiful views of Lake Grangent at the start and the rest in the forest. The route is dotted with informative and entertaining signs about the flora and fauna. The site is currently being restored to a natural forest after being planted with Douglas firs in the last century. Ideal for family walks and/or hot weather.

Located on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, on the border between the Loire and Haute-Loire departments, the Loire Gorges, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve, charms visitors with its peaceful wooded landscapes, remarkable flora and fauna, rocky outcrops, beautiful Lake Grangent, medieval castles and traditional villages.

An open-to-the-sky Sunday stroll in the sun Canal du Forez.

A short half-day walk along the edge of the Loire Gorges, overlooking Aurec-sur-Loire with sweeping panoramic views, returning via the plateau with views of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château, the capital of pétanque.

A semi-urban route that follows part of the disused railway line connecting the mine shafts of Firminy and Roche-la-Molière. You will pass through two tunnels (bring a torch). Thesecond part takes you up to higher ground and the return journey is via the ridge road connecting Saint-Étienne to Firminy. Moderator's warning on 15/02/2021: private property issue in (1), see comments at the bottom of the page.

A circular route in Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert that runs along the Loire to the Grangent Dam with breathtaking views of the Loire Gorges.

A pleasant short hike in the countryside around Saint-Genest-Lerpt.

A circular loop around the Gaffard neighbourhood, with no difficulty apart from a slightly steep climb in the first section.

A walk through Forez on waymarked trails.

The circular route starts in Aurec-sur-Loire, following the banks of the Loire and the footbridges of the "Saut du Chien" before climbing up to the village of Malvalette via thePR® "Le Pont d'Angelard". Pass by the Sainte-Reine Chapel on theGR® de Pays des Gorges de la Loire, which takes you back to Aurec via the Rivoire stream valley.

A family walk along the old Estivarelle railway line, a path known as “L’aventure du Rail”, maintained by the regional council.

A very pleasant walk, featuring several paths along the river and through the woods, offering a complete change of scenery. As you will be walking along many paths through the woodland, there are few tarmac roads or sections. This walk is easy as there is little elevation gain relative to the distance.

Circular route starting from Aboën with very little tarmac and lovely views of Saint-Bonnet-le-Château and the surrounding countryside. Suitable for all, although there are two fairly steep hills to tackle at your own pace.

This circular route starts at La Pouratte stadium in Chambon-Feugerolles and takes you to the Cotatay dam, which supplies the town with drinking water, before climbing to overlook the Ondaine valley.

This short hike offers many views: Mont Mézenc, Monts du Pilat, and even Mont Blanc when the weather is clear. An orientation table at the highest point allows you to identify the many mountains around you. The circuit is largely open, with passages on dry hillsides. Particularly pleasant in spring and autumn, it is therefore best avoided in hot weather.