Refine your search for walks in Champclause
Champclause walks
Pic du Lizieux and the Meygal Massif
Visorando Member
13.19 mi
+2,257 ft
-2,280 ft
8h 00
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
At the summit of the ancient volcanoes between Pic du Lizieux and the Meygal Massif.
A breath of fresh air in the vast Meygal Forest Massif.
The Pic du Lizieux
2.83 mi
+581 ft
-571 ft
1h 50
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A short hike, accessible to children in all seasons, to discover a 360° panorama from the summit of Pic du Lizieux (1388m): the Lignon valley to the north, the Monts du Vivarais to the east, Mont Mezenc to the south, Meygal to the west and, beyond, the Pilat Massif, Mont Blanc, etc.
.
The Gagne and its tributaries from Montusclat
10.43 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,296 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Montusclat (Haute-Loire)
The route starts from the very pretty village of Montusclat and winds its way along the hillsides, crossing several tributaries of the Gagne. It crosses this river twice near Saint-Front before reaching the plateau, which offers stunning views of the Mézenc Massif and, weather permitting, the Alps. It ends with a descent through meadows back to Montusclat.
Tour de la Tortue and the Calvary of the Croix de l'Étoile
6.96 mi
+1,053 ft
-1,066 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Champclause (Haute-Loire)
This circular walk starting from the pretty village of Boussoulet and its stunning church is an easy walk. Passing through a beautiful forest, beneath the summit of La Tortue, you will arrive at another pretty village in the Haute-Loire, Montusclat. From this village, you can start a second circular route that will take you to the remarkable Way of the Cross and the Calvary of the Croix de l’Étoile. Return via a pleasant valley.
The Grand Testavoyre
10.27 mi
+1,608 ft
-1,591 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Champclause (Haute-Loire)
This circuit takes you to the summit of the Grand Testavoyre (pronounced testa-wouaire), the highest point of the Meygal. From up there, you can see the entire massif, dotted with numerous conical peaks.
Another highlight of this hike is discovering the rural heritage, in particular the typical houses of the hamlet of Villaret and the false church of Monedeyres.
Panoramic views around Saint-Front
7.31 mi
+646 ft
-633 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Front (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
This peaceful route starting from Saint-Front allows you to enjoy the contrast between the steep-sided valleys of La Gagne, the Machabert stream and the tributary of the Aubépin on one side, and the gently sloping Mézenc plateau with its sweeping views on the other.
The forgotten paths of Meygal
6.02 mi
+1,316 ft
-1,289 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
Discover the Meygal massif via little-used, unmarked paths, some of which are not shown on maps. The route runs mostly through woodland and skirts the hamlets of Monedeyres and Boussoulet without entering them.
A physically easy hike, but only suitable for walkers who can find their way and recognise at least the main tree species (fir, conifers, beech, hazel).
The two knolls and Jules Romains
7.76 mi
+1,355 ft
-1,355 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
The route passes in front of Jules Romains' house and takes you up to two knolls facing each other above the Sumène valley, Mont Rouge and Peyre de Bard. It allows you to explore part of the Pays des Sucs in a circular route.
Fay sur Lignon - Lac de Saint-Front: a circular route between pine and beech trees
8.38 mi
+1,030 ft
-1,014 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Fay-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire)
A pleasant walk through the forest, undergrowth and meadows, with the pretty, round crater lake of Saint-Front, the highest in the Haute Loire, as your destination. Views of Mont Mézenc and the Monts du Velay, and you will be on the edge of the summit of Les Roches, an ancient volcano which is a climbing site on its southern slope.The name of thePR® trail that we follow most often is "Entre pins et fayards" (Between pines and beech trees), which is very apt. We added the tour of Lake Saint-Front, as it was too tempting to resist.
Balcony walk around Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
6.68 mi
+1,270 ft
-1,270 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This short hike allows you to discover hamlets overlooking Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, a few mills, bread ovens, Béates houses, a thatched cottage... all in a variety of environments (meadows, short grass, coniferous and beech forests...). Most of the route is in open country.
Via Gebennensis - Pic du Lizieux - Knoll des Testavoyre
11.73 mi
+2,402 ft
-2,398 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
The route follows the Via Gebennensis (GR®65-GR®430) to near Les Araules.
Next, discover the Pic du Lizieux and its orientation table, which offers a 360° panorama.
The hike continues along the Bonas discovery trail, then joins Arnissac to pass through Pic Testavoyre and ends with the forest road to Chalet Raffy.
Loop between Le Meygal and Queyrières
5.24 mi
+1,001 ft
-1,004 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
Short loop starting from the Meygal Forest. After crossing the forest, a balcony path with beautiful views of the surrounding knolls leads you to the village of Queyrières, which is topped by a remarkable basalt dyke. After crossing the village of Monedeyres, you climb back up through pleasant undergrowth.
Le Meygal and Pic du Lisieux from Monedeyres
14.28 mi
+3,074 ft
-3,058 ft
9h 15
Difficult
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
This route is a pleasant way to spend a hot summer's day, with numerous viewpoints (Forez, Pilat, Alps, Mézenc) and climbs through the forest. In particular, it allows you to fully enjoy the unique relief of the massif, with its very numerous knolls. A refreshing stop in Recharinges (fountain, bar) allows you to tackle the final climb in the best possible conditions.
The Meygal tour
8.14 mi
+1,257 ft
-1,253 ft
4h 50
Easy
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
This hike, in the heart of the Meygal forest, is ideal in the heat of summer. It offers beautiful views, especially from the summit of Testavoyre, where you can look out over the Meygal mountains.
The Pic du Lizieux via the "chemin des écoliers"
6.41 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,312 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A route exploring little-used paths and points of interest, an alternative to the marked trails.
Panoramic walk on the Bigorre plateau
4.99 mi
+558 ft
-584 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Front (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
This easy hike, which allows you to discover the very pretty village of Bigorre and its 17 thatched cottages, offers numerous views of the region and its diverse landscapes.
The Pic du Lizieux via the Mounier
7.83 mi
+1,243 ft
-1,257 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Jeures (Haute-Loire)
A variation on the climb up Lizieux that takes you to Mounier, a little-known peak overlooking Freycenet and the menhir above Monbuzat-La Chieze.
Walk along the Auze river in Araules-Saint-Jeures
3.79 mi
+656 ft
-663 ft
2h 20
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A short route to include as an alternative on your local walks that pass through Vareille and then the road, providing access to the Auze up to a little-known waterfall at the bottom of almost impassable gorges.
The paths not shown on the IGN map are nevertheless passable; the Auze is crossed via two large steps (requiring a bit of a jump) at one of the only possible points, regardless of the river’s level.
Queyrères - Le Puy-en-Velay
17.34 mi
+1,096 ft
-2,867 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
Fifteenth stage of the Way of St James. In the heart of the Meygal, Queyrières, a village in the Haute-Loire department, stands beside its basalt rock. From there, you begin the descent towards Le Puy-en-Velay, passing through Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and its mills that once lined the Sumène. A gentle end to the route with a leisurely finish as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, a major pilgrimage site.
Gouffre de la Monette
7.23 mi
+404 ft
-410 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Les Vastres (Haute-Loire)
Discover the Gouffre de la Monette and its waterfall via the marsh route. This is a mysterious place to be enjoyed in peace and quiet, so choose a time when it is not too busy.
Suc du Mounier from Saint-Jeures
4.38 mi
+732 ft
-741 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Jeures (Haute-Loire)
Starting from the pretty village of Saint-Jeures, this short, easy circular route will take you to the summit of the Suc du Mounier. Although less famous than its larger neighbour, the Lizieux, it nevertheless offers superb panoramic views.
From the Lignon to the Ligne
10.31 mi
+922 ft
-935 ft
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire)
This is an easy hike that will take you around Mazet-Saint-Voy, passing by two beautiful trout rivers, the Lignon and the Ligne. The terrain is varied but gentle, alternating between meadows and woods. Beautiful views of Mont Mézenc are the icing on the cake of this hike.
Mont Signon in Chaudeyrolles
1.97 mi
+535 ft
-535 ft
1h 20
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
Enjoy a beautiful hike on Mont Signon and its old singing slate quarry. Beautiful panoramic views of the Monts de Haute Loire.
Mont Signon and Chaudeyrolles peatlands
7.69 mi
+994 ft
-1,004 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This geological trail allows you to discover an ancient small volcano, Mont Signon, which became a peat bog, then an ancient maar, or marshy crater, home to several peatlands. Numerous information panels from the Geopark help you understand these different volcanic formations.
The Côtes de Gagne from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
11.29 mi
+1,585 ft
-1,555 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This route offers views over the wild gorges of the Gagne valley from La Pradette to the hamlet of Villard, as the valley floor is impassable. There are numerous viewpoints and minimal passage through undergrowth. This route is therefore ideal in spring and autumn, with only very hot summer days to be avoided.
Le Knoll de Chapteuil from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
4.04 mi
+791 ft
-801 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This is an easy hike that offers beautiful views of the Saint-Julien basin and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Seigneur de Chapteuil. There are very few sections on small roads. This is a great hike if you have friends who are not used to hiking; they will come back delighted!
Loop around Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
4.73 mi
+423 ft
-417 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
A short, easy walk. Beautiful scenery throughout, and two pretty villages (Le Betz and Auteyrac) with beautifully restored houses. Also worth seeing is the Betz Observatory.
Promenade des Frères Perrel
1.59 mi
+105 ft
-89 ft
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Moudeyres (Haute-Loire)
A very short walk between the thatched village of Moudeyres, its eco-museum, the Ferme des Frères Perrel, and the heights of the Aubépin valley.
The tour of the Mézenc from Chaudeyrolles
13.06 mi
+1,867 ft
-1,857 ft
7h 40
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This tour of Mont Mézenc allows you to admire the landscape stretching far in all directions: the Massif Central, the Ardèche, the Alps, the Pilat Massif... It is possible to climb Mont Mézenc during the circuit. The hike offers the best possible view of the beautiful Boutières cirque. The circuit also includes a return trip through the village of Chaudeyrolles and a tour of Mont Signon.
Circular Ventographe at the foot of Mont Mézenc
5.26 mi
+755 ft
-764 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This is a short circular loop in the Mezenc National Forest, from La Roche Pointue to Le Ventographe, passing by the peat bogs. Le Ventographe is a quirky object created by a DIY artist, placed on a ridge; it is the centre for transmitting messages to the wind, which are received further down by another equally quirky work of art!
Circular route from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille starting from Feycenet-la-Tour
12.57 mi
+1,621 ft
-1,621 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Freycenet-la-Tour (Haute-Loire)
Descent to Le Monastier via little-used paths from the curious alluvial plain pond, less original return via the GR®. With an optional final circular loop offering views of the Mine stream valley.
Cross the famous Recoumène Viaduct and visit Le Monastier.
Saint-Régis and Étang des Barthes circular loop
7.83 mi
+679 ft
-699 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Freycenet-la-Tour (Haute-Loire)
Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.
Tence - Queyrières
11.71 mi
+2,090 ft
-1,033 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Tence (Haute-Loire)
Fourteenth stage of the Way of St James. This fairly short stage (due to the gloomy, snowy weather) feels like a long, continuous climb until reaching the hamlet of Raffy, in the forests of Meygal, at an altitude of over 1,290 m, which is the highest point of this route. A short stop in Saint-Jeures, a small village with a beautiful 12th-century Romanesque church, situated a short distance from the Pic du Lizieux (1,388 m), clearly visible from a long way off before reaching the village.
More walks in Champclause
Select a point of interest below: