Rez de Sol walking route

A five-day itinerary linking the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois, taking in the Rez de Sol and the Pierre du Sang. There is a lodge where you can stay overnight and have dinner each evening. The landscape is that of the mid-mountain range, predominantly wooded on the Auvergne side and predominantly agricultural on the Forez side, always following small paths that allow you to truly discover this little-known region.

Photos

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S
   

   From Cherier (Le Point du Jour) to the campsite at Saint-Just-en-Chevalet

   13.04 mi 1,788 ft 2,667 ft

   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.

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2. 2
   

   Saint-Just-en-Saltire – Laprugne

   11.35 mi 1,594 ft 1,296 ft

   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.

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3. 3
   

   Laprugne – Saint-Victor-Montvianeix

   12.93 mi 2,195 ft 2,169 ft

   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.

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4. 4
   

   Saint-Victor-Montvianeix – Arconsat

   11.87 mi 2,172 ft 1,909 ft

   Stage4 of the circular mid-mountain loop linking the Monts de la Madeleine, Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois – picturesque hilltop villages nestled in deep gorges carved out by rivers, from the beautiful Muratte Dam to the village of Arconsat: explore the wooded and unspoilt countryside on the Auvergne side of the Puy de Montoncel. This stage very often follows the routes of the Espace VTT Bois Noirs, guaranteeing that you’ll find open, signposted trails.

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5. E
   

   Arconsat – Cherier

   13.12 mi 2,336 ft 2,041 ft

   The fifth stage of the Boucle du Rez de Sol route, where you leave the Auvergne to return to the Loire region by crossing the Col Saint-Thomas, famous for its sign reading “Here ends France, here begins the Auvergne”. You leave the Bois Noirs to pass through the pretty hamlets of Chausseterre and then Saint-Just-en-Chevalet. A long climb leads up to the Pras plateau at an altitude of 1,000 metres (in the commune of Cherier), involving a 400-metre ascent in the second half of the day, along lovely little shaded paths well maintained by the Urfé Community of Communes. Discover numerous isolated houses, beautifully restored by those who love solitude.

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