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Château des Hormières walks
Roannaise coast and mountains
A 4-day hiking tour from lodge to lodge in the Monts de la Madeleine (low mountain range) west of the town of Roanne. Immerse yourself in nature, often still wild, by taking as many small paths as possible.
From leats to Loge des Gardes
This stage crosses the highest villages in the Monts de la Madeleine, at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, and allows you to visit two major tourist attractions in St-Nicolas-des-Leat (03): the Allée des Géants and the Pierre Châtel. Most of the route is through deciduous forest, home to mushrooms. The stage ends at the Loge des Gardes sports resort, where accommodation is available (hotel-restaurant).
Walks near Château des Hormières
From the Loge des Gardes to Point du Jour
Departure from the Loge des Gardes sports centre. Start the day in the beautiful beech undergrowth of the Assise State Forest, above 1,000 metres altitude, before descending to the more open plateaus of La Tuilière and Cherier, with beautiful views. End at the Refuge du Point du Jour lodge (overnight stay and meals made with farm produce) (altitude 870 metres).
From Saint-Haòn-le-Châtel to leat
Morning: crossing the northern part of the Roanne coast vineyards, with little elevation gain, and two beautiful historic villages: Saint-Haon-le-Châtel and Ambierle, with a rich heritage open to visitors. The afternoon is more challenging with the climb to leat (altitude 765 m) through meadows and forest. Most of the route is on dirt tracks with no traffic.
Laprugne – Saint-Victor-Montvianeix
Third stage of the Rez de Sol circular route, straddling the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. There is a stark contrast as you cross from the Allier into the Puy-de-Dôme: from pretty mid-mountain hamlets as far as Lavoine, then a landscape dominated by forests cascading down deep gorges from which a few hilltop villages emerge, seeming timeless, towards St-Victor-Montvianeix (a very extensive commune covering 4,500 ha). An optional detour takes you to the Rez de Sol (1.6 km). Omitting this route reduces the length of the stage by the same distance.
From Point du Jour to Saint-Haon-le-Châtel
Departure from a high point in the Monts de la Madeleine, in Cherier, at a place called Le Point du Jour (870 m, 14-bed stopover lodge with meals) to descend to the Côte Roannaise, cross its vine-covered hillsides and arrive at the medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (14-bed stopover lodge with meals). This route gives priority to small paths with no motor vehicle traffic and beautiful views of the Roanne plain.
From Cherier (Le Point du Jour) to the campsite at Saint-Just-en-Chevalet
First stage of a 5-day route through the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. Most of the day is spent on the lovely paths of the commune of Cherier, offering a range of views from the tops of its hills, amidst unspoilt countryside. At the end of the route, the path descends to Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, after passing through the charming hamlet of Fonthieur.
Saint-Just-en-Saltire – Laprugne
Second stage of a 5-day horse-riding route across the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. A typical mid-mountain route, featuring open countryside used for livestock farming, deciduous forests, lively villages, and quiet, well-maintained paths. The start involves little elevation gain (La Tuilière plateau), but most of the climb comes towards the end, after crossing into the Allier.