Cognat-Lyonne walks

A circular route, mostly on tracks and farm roads, starting from Cognat-L'yonne and passing by Rilhat Castle and Monpensier Golf Course. Beautiful view of the Gannat plain on a clear day, of course.

The walk takes you to Bois Coutayon on the border between the municipalities of Vendat and Saint-Pont. In the wild boar park, with a little luck and patience, you may spot wild boars and piglets or deer and fawns!

I suggest a short urban hike to discover Vichy, nicknamed "the Queen of Waters". This circuit takes you through the emblematic streets of Napoleon III's beloved city, lined with beautiful houses of eclectic architecture, as well as the shopping streets of the modern city and the parks along the Allier River. You can quench your thirst at the famous Source des Célestins.

A pleasant circular starting from Vieux Saint-Sylvestre, heading to Saint-Priest-Bramefant through the Bois Brun forest and back. Very little tarmac and beautiful scenery on a clear day. An easy hike.

A lovely walk in any season in fine weather, whether on your own or with the family. You can explore the banks of the River Allier and its magnificent waterholes. The route is largely shaded during the summer months. You can also listen to the song of a wide variety of birds. This route is similar to the “Circular Source Trail” listed by Vichy Community: a fully developed route with rest and picnic areas. Important: Since 1 June 2026, (6) the footbridge running alongside the tracks on the railway bridge at Abrest has been closed to all traffic. This closure is for an indefinite period.

A lovely walk for those who enjoy combining walking with nature observation. Starting from Saint-Yorre, walk through the pleasant undergrowth following the course of the Andraux stream, then around the Coupe-Gorge and Fonts de Fer stream basins. Open views over the Monts Dômes, the Vichy plain and the Vernet hill.

A very pleasant walk to do alone or with the family. If you enjoy observing nature and listening to its calm, you will be in your element. You will walk at varying distances from the course of the River Allier and its former meander, skirting a magnificent stretch of water with a variety of flora and fauna. Part of the route runs through cultivated land. There is no tarmac except for a few metres at the finish.

A hike dedicated to water. Flowing water, Ruisseau des Andraux, Allier. Water to drink, Saint-Yorre bottling plant, Source des Célestins. Water with healing properties, Hall des Sources and Grand Établissement Thermal de Vichy. And, depending on the weather, perhaps water falling from the sky?This hike can also be done as a round trip, difficulty: difficult (24 km).

A very pleasant route in all seasons. You will walk through wooded areas at the bottom of the valley, accompanied by the sound of the babbling brook, but also through open areas offering views of the Monts Dômes to the west and the Montagne Bourbonnaise to the east. The passages near the monument to the 11 Martyrs of Goutte Grandval and the Château de Busset give this route a historical appeal.

A very pleasant hike through countryside and forest between Charroux and the banks of the Sioule, with superb views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Bourbonnais mountains on a clear day.

Hike not far from Vichy in the rolling countryside bordering the Sichon Valley, in the foothills of the Livradois-Forez Massif.

This short walk starting from Ébreuil offers panoramic views of the Sioule valley. At the (2), the narrow path leading up to Sainte-Foy is not regularly maintained. The grass may be a little overgrown.

A short 8-shaped walk at the foot of Saint-Vincent de Chantelle Abbey.

A walk offering magnificent views of the Chaîne des Puys. This hike is also suitable for mountain bikes.

A walk through the Giverzat Forest suitable for families and even mountain bikers, except around the point (8), where it is advisable to walk alongside your bike.

A family hike that passes through the vineyards of Saint-Pourçain.

Hike in the northern foothills of Livradois, known as the Bois Noirs, starting from Châteldon, a village with some beautiful medieval houses.

An easy hike in the hills overlooking Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, west of the Allier valley, partly following the GR®300 trail with a few short stretches on minor roads. Easy, well-marked and signposted paths. Beautiful views of Saint Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Unshaded route, best avoided during heatwaves.

Walk around Fleuriel. A bit of tarmac but on a quiet road, a bit of woodland, a bit of meadow. A varied landscape for a walk during which you can bring a picnic.

After a bit of effort due to the initial climb, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Bois Noirs and the Chaîne des Puys.

A pleasant circular loop through the woods, lost in the middle of nowhere. Dogs can be walked off-lead. Just take care at the start and finish. A bit of a climb but also suitable for cycling. Apart from the walk back to the starting point, there are absolutely no roads to cross on the walk.

A forest walk in the foothills of the Combrailles leading to the "Pierre Branlante" site. Erosion has cleared away a block of granite, leaving it balanced on its side. According to legend, this block oscillates when touched by human hands.

A circular route in the commune of Montaigu-le-Blin, voted the most beautiful village in the Allier in 2012. This route allows you to take a leisurely afternoon stroll to discover some of Montaigu’s heritage, including the large wash house, the fortified castle, Presles Castle, the Roman road, the Celtic cross and St Anne’s Church. It has been created by combining several ‘heritage routes’ offered by this small village, where time seems to stand still out of season. On this easy-to-moderate route, which takes just under 3 hours, the effort is sustained and mostly on tarmac, but the breaks to admire the local heritage treasures and the panoramic views allow you to recover. Only the grassy slope between the wash house and the fortified castle is more demanding, but it can be bypassed by climbing up to the fortified castle from the village centre rather than directly from the wash house.

Discover a small spa town, with its beautiful architecture, and its natural surroundings.

Discover the route of the old railway line from Riom to Châtel-Guyon via the heights of Saint-Don.