Circular Col de la Loge starting from Chalmazel

A walk in the Monts du Forez, towards the Hautes Chaumes, passing through heathland dotted with heather and blueberry bushes, then through forests.

Details

n°13183030

Creation:
13 Aug 2021

Last update:
24 Feb 2023

Last review:
13 Jul 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 20.50 km
Average duration: 7h 40
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 620 m
Descent: - 618 m
Highest point: 1,366 m
Lowest point: 854 m

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts du Forez
City: Chalmazel (42920)
Start/End: N 45.705286° / E 3.852261°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2732SB
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Description of the walk

Car park on the inside of the bend, on the left at the entrance to Chalmazel (opposite the sawmill).

(S/E) Set off along the road that passes in front of the sawmill.

(1) Follow the road to the left, then take the path on the right which climbs across the fields to the hamlet of Nermond.
(Note: if the ground is too wet in the fields, you can follow the path straight ahead, which also leads to the hamlet via the wayside shrine – this is the return route).

(2) Walk straight through the hamlet and follow the path opposite (^GR®3variant). Join the road and follow it for 150 m to the left, then take the path on the left. Cut straight across a forest track.

(3) At the crossroads, take the path furthest to the left and join a forest track, following it straight ahead.

(4) At the left-hand bend, continue straight ahead along the path.

(5) At the junction, continue straight ahead.

(6) Ignore the paths on the right and continue straight ahead.

(7) At the crossroads, take the path opposite, leaving the^GR®3Variant on your right. After 400m, before Les Burons, take the path on the right. Join the^GR®3Variant.

(8) Follow it to the left.

(9) Continue straight ahead along the path and reach the Col de la Loge.
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(10) When you reach the D101 road, retrace your steps for a few metres then take the^first path on the left.

(11) Leave the path on your left and continue straight on to reach La Loge Neuve.

(12) Take the path on the left after the cross.

(13) Continue straight on along this downhill path. At the first three-way junction, turn right.

(14) When you reach the forest road, turn right and head towards Moulin Pichoix. Cross the bridge and take the first path on the right.

(15) Follow the Route du Sagnat to the right (^GR®3variant). At the crossroads, turn right. After 200 m, continue along the path opposite, then carry on straight ahead on the GR^®.

(16) Turn left and join the road, following it straight on towards the hamlet of Nermond.

(17) Before the hamlet, take the path on the left which passes in front of the wayside shrine and head down towards Chalmazel, then reach the car park by passing in front of the sawmill (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 854 m - Car park at the entrance to Chalmazel
1 : km 0.25 - alt. 879 m - Crossroads at the end of the circular loop
2 : km 1.32 - alt. 969 m - Nermont - Cross
3 : km 2.87 - alt. 1,129 m - Crossroads
4 : km 3.56 - alt. 1,166 m - Junction
5 : km 4.58 - alt. 1,275 m - Junction
6 : km 5.08 - alt. 1,286 m - Crossroads
7 : km 6.99 - alt. 1,323 m - Crossroads
8 : km 7.58 - alt. 1,324 m - T-junction
9 : km 8.51 - alt. 1,338 m - Crossroads
10 : km 11.13 - alt. 1,253 m - Col de la Loge
11 : km 12.91 - alt. 1,194 m - Junction
12 : km 13.58 - alt. 1,175 m - La Loge Neuve
13 : km 14.33 - alt. 1,129 m - Junction
14 : km 15.27 - alt. 1,039 m - Forest track
15 : km 16.7 - alt. 1,000 m - Route du Sagnat. Towards the - Source du Lignon
16 : km 17.92 - alt. 951 m - Crossroads
17 : km 19.08 - alt. 984 m - Nermond - Fork in the road
S/E : km 20.5 - alt. 854 m - Car park at the entrance to Chalmazel

Worth a visit

Chalmazel Castle

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5

Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.5 / 5

Route interest
4.3 / 5

Ananda

13 Jul 2025 at 18:07 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Overall, it’s fine, as I’m looking to cover some distance, but the app doesn’t have many routes of 20 km or more for a day’s ride.
The first few kilometres of the climb are indeed particularly muddy, with tricky fences (but that’s been the trend in the Forez region in recent years).
If it’s rained recently, it’s best to tackle the first kilometre of the climb in the direction of the finish, but otherwise there’s no problem with a very good pair of hiking boots and a bit of ‘off-trail’ walking on the tricky muddy sections.
At point 2: be careful, there is a particularly unpredictable farm dog running loose which I ‘unfortunately’ had to ‘pepper-spray’ on two occasions (I’ve done this route six times).
The route is ‘adequately’ shaded for a mid-mountain hike

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Vincent Deville

16 Jun 2025 at 09:25 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike isn't great; you have to climb over barriers and walk through muddy cow pastures. It's better to reach Nermon via the trail recommended for the return journey. GPS is essential. Be careful, as part of the route is out of mobile phone range. I did it because I was looking for distance and a bit of elevation. It's nice and fairly shaded. The elevation gain is on the first part.

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Marc et phil

05 Aug 2024 at 09:57 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the Haut-Forez region, mostly through woodland. An easy route, except at the start in Chalmazel (where the path is blocked by cables that you have to step over🤤)

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Yan63

08 Jul 2024 at 10:56 7200 • Edited: 08 Jul 2024 at 10:57 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk
GPS essential

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Pjsn

24 Jul 2023 at 12:14 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. I’d be delighted to show it to someone!
I use GPS regularly myself.

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M Grisel

04 Jul 2023 at 15:53 7200

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike was done in fine weather in June 2023. Finding your way is made difficult by the numerous paths and forestry work, particularly after the Croix de Ladret; it’s best to have a GPS, though you always manage to find your way in the end. There are few viewpoints; a tip is to leave the path at Haut Colombier and head to the viewing platform. At the Col de Placiau there is a shelter with a table and benches.
In my opinion, this isn’t the most interesting route starting from Chalmazel.

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