Charbonnier-les-Mines walks

Three walks, of gradually increasing lengths, have been created on the initiative of the Charbonnier-les-Mines Youth Town Council (CMJ). These walks were created to enable everyone, from the very young to the elderly, to discover or rediscover the village and to enjoy a simple, natural activity in a remarkable setting. Three colours of waymarkers have been used – green, blue and red – from the shortest to the longest route. Along the way, you’ll discover some truly beautiful scenery, including the Allagnon – that famous river home to trout and a few salmon – the remains of the castle, the vestiges of the mining past and the even older remains of the Gallo-Romans.

This varied walk illustrates the link between coal mining and its transport on the ‘sapinières’ (timber-tracked wagons) that travelled as far as Paris.

Landscapes on the edge of the Lembron valley and at the start of the Allagnon Gorges, a landscape of plateaus and plains in the Limagne region, punctuated by the villages of Lempdes and Moriat.

An easy, short walk through woods, farmland and pastures, ideal for families. Climb the tower to enjoy a 360° panorama, with views of the Céréalier, the Livradois, and the peaks of Usson and Nonette. As you climb the tower, you will discover the remains of the ancient fortress and the villages it protected.

A walk around Montcelet, through woods and pastures, with views of the Puys de Dôme, the Puy de Nonette and the hills and pastures of the Lembron.

A loop on the first hills of Livradois, to the knoll of La Grive and then to the Montfaucon rock, which overlooks the mining basin and offers a beautiful view of Nonette, Ysson, Montcelet, the Sancy massif and the Cézallier.

This walk is a transition between the flat landscapes of the former mining basin and the forest landscapes of Livradois. It was from the woods of these forests that sapinières (single-use wooden boats) transported coal, wine and hemp to Paris.

A physically demanding route halfway down the descent into the valley, offering magnificent views of the Alagnon Valley and Léotoing Castle.

Vergongheon is situated on a plateau overlooking the Allier valley. This is why fortified houses, topped with towers, were built in the villages of Rilhac and Lubières, enabling the monitoring of traffic in the valley. The remains of these structures can be seen in Rilhac and Lubières.

A Sunday stroll to explore the village of Le Breuil-sur-Couze in the first part of the walk, followed by a walk through the surrounding countryside, with views of the volcanic peaks of Nonette and Usson, in the second part. GPS recommended

The starting point for the hike, the village of Nonette is perched on a volcanic hill overlooking a circular bend in the Allier River. After climbing to the top of the ancient volcano to enjoy a 360° view of the Lembron and the Val d'Allier, this former dyke, on which Gallo-Roman remains have been discovered, will guide you along the route dotted with pretty villages rich in culture and history.

A walk that allows you to discover the mills and dovecotes near Auzon, admire the forests of holm oaks and conifers, and experience the transition between the landscapes of the Cé Valley and those of the mining basin!

A walk to discover Auzon’s industrial past and its present-day agricultural and forestry resources.

On this walk, you will discover both the landscapes of the volcanic mountains of western Auvergne and the small hamlets that bring life to these somewhat deserted areas.

A stroll through peaceful countryside, a succession of fields, vegetable gardens and orchards, with the Pic de Nonette as a backdrop, and a visit to the pretty villages of Orsonnette and Mailhat (featuring a listed 12th-century church).

This route allows you to admire the village of Léotoing and the ruins of its castle, and to discover the Alagnon valley, the Cézaliers mountains and the castle of Torsiac.

A walk around the villages and hamlets near Boudes and its Valley of the Saints, the red clay fields and a saltwater spring known to the Romans!

This circular route follows the Ruisseau de la Ribeyre valley. Most of the route is through woodland. The best viewpoint is just before the access to the D24.

The Sentier des Cheminées de Fées trail leads to a dry forest with a series of viewpoints overlooking geological formations: fairy chimneys, cirques and multicoloured cliffs.

Boudes, its vineyards and the Vallée des Saints, known as the Colorado of Lembron.

A beautiful route through the Auvergne countryside starting from Boudes, known for its vineyards. This walk will take you to Saint-Hérent, a small village perched on a rocky outcrop with a magnificent Romanesque church. You’ll then discover the Source de Bard, gushing from the bowels of the earth, as well as the Vallée des Saints – also known as the ‘Auvergne Colorado’ – with its stunning variety of colours and rock formations.

This walk between Boudes and Saint-Hérent allows you to discover the landscapes around the Pic de l'Avoiron and get closer to the Vallée des Saints. If you approach the old entrance to the Vallée des Saints, you will find that it is now closed.

A lovely walk along good paths, offering a close-up view of the castles of Védrines and Vernassal, and a distant view of Léotoing Castle. This is a variation on the “castles walk” (Respirando No. 497 and Visorando No. 1363868), which takes you closer to Védrines Castle and offers an extended view of Léotoing Castle at the start of the route.

A walk through farmland and forests, along a stream, with views of the châteaux of Védrines, Vernassal and Léotoing.

This pleasant route, partly through woodland along the stream or across farmland, offers views of Torsiac Castle in the foreground and then Léotoing Castle. In the background lies the Alagnon valley.

A walk through woodland, vineyards, farmland and orchards in the plains and mountains of Livradois.

A short walk through a peaceful, rural setting that provides the perfect backdrop to this village and its chapel.

A very beautiful walk starting above the village of Azérat and leading to Saint-Hilaire via the valley of the Ruisseau du Bois Noir. Most of the route runs through woodland, with a stunning view of the Sancy massif from Saint-Hilaire.

A walk through the farmland of the villages of Villeuneuve-Lembron and Chalus and the vineyards of the village of Boudes. A route through woods, plateaus and vineyards.

An easy and enjoyable walk for lovers of chestnuts and wild cherries.

A walk around and through the village of Usson. The climb to the peak (639 m) offers a 360° panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif and the Livradois-Forez mountains.A statue of the Virgin Mary dating from 1893 stands at the summit.

Starting from Allevier, the route climbs through fields and villages, then enters the woods. Throughout the route, you will have a splendid view of the Sancy, Cézallier, Cantal and Margeride mountains.

A hike to discover the site of Chadecol, inhabited 10,000 years ago by the first farmers and herders. A walk to admire the basalt columns of Chadecol, the Allagnon valley and the village of Blesle.

This walk begins in the woods along a stream, leading to a former 17th-century fortified castle that has now been converted into a farm. You’ll discover magnificent views over the valleys surrounding the charming village of Blesle.

An easy walk through rolling countryside offering beautiful views, sometimes over wide valleys with gentle slopes dotted with splashes of colour—reflecting the variety of crops—and sometimes over ancient volcanoes, small hills scattered across the landscape.