Collat walks

A circular route towards the Senouire valley starting from Collat.

This route passes through fir forests and a few pastures, reminders of a bygone era of pastoral farming.The Grattepaille honey farm is breathing new life into this beautiful region.

You will discover two landscapes. The walk starts in Chassagnes, crosses part of Chaliergues (the Paulhaguet basin), an area dedicated to agriculture, then climbs gradually through the woods, passing through hamlets that are mostly restored and inhabited.

Starting from the Lavaux Pond (the pond is a former clay quarry), the route crosses pastures and fields and then reaches the woods on the heights of Saint-Préjet-Armandon.This route passes through villages with houses built from basalt stones from a distant volcanic period. Take the time to wander through the villages and notice the old workshops of blacksmiths and carpenters, and the communal ovens. Listen carefully and you may hear the sound of a hammer on an anvil or a carpenter's saw... These villages, once bustling with activity, are now quiet.

At the start of the route, the Senouire accompanies you to Sainte-Marguerite. After Barbason, the Ribeyrette greets you as it flows into the Senouire. Sainte-Marguerite welcomes you with its history and tranquillity. A superb panorama awaits you at Le Rif. Walk around the hamlet and see the rounded corners of some of the houses. Continue the route towards La Vizade and rejoin the Senouire at Barbanson.

Following this route, you will pass successively through forest, fields and pastures. You will discover the volcanic activity of the village of Moissac Bas, its pond and its forming peat bog.

Discover Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon by following the course of the Doulon river, which once powered numerous mills. Pass through the undergrowth and villages where you will find chapels and wash houses.

The commune of Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon covers a large area of around 35 hectares and comprises around 30 villages and hamlets. During this route, you will discover some of them, all bearing witness to a rural past where agriculture was the main activity. You will discover a chapel, an old school and some splendid views.

This route starts at the lowest point in the commune of Saint-Didier and leads to almost the highest point. You will discover a castle, a remarkable sequoia tree, the ruins of a mill and splendid views.

This route allows you to discover the Senouire valley between Domeyrat and Esbelin, a small "limagne" (flat area) framed by wooded slopes. The Senouire accompanies you with its murmurs all along the route, where you can sometimes hear it without seeing it. The majestic 12th-century feudal castle with its imposing ruins dominating the village is sure to impress, and the old Romanesque bridge completes the medieval feel of the village.

Leaving the village of Cistrières, you will mainly be walking through the forest. These woods are dotted with hamlets that were once home to agricultural activity. Most of the farms have been renovated and are now inhabited. The paths are well maintained and easy to walk on. You will find peace and quiet here, and cool shade from the trees in summer.

Half-day hike in the heart of the Livradois Forez Regional Nature Park, allowing you to discover the Lac de Malaguet Regional Nature Reserve and its surroundings, alternating between forest and meadow...

This is a fairly short walk, but there are two different worlds to discover: in the footsteps of George Sand, the enchanting world of the peat bog nestled in the crater of an ancient Strombolian volcano (unique in Europe) and the medieval village of Allègre with its many remains, including the famous "Potence" (gallows). In both cases, there are numerous information panels to tell you more....

This route passes through the villages on the eastern side of the Paulhaguet basin called Le Chaliergue. It corresponds to the lower volcanic plateau of Paulhaguet, at around 600 m, drained by the Senouire. The name was once written Callianicum and refers to stones, a stony area; it is also known as the Paulhaguet plateau. The panorama opens up from Jaroussier and Scombalou.

In the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Park, a beautiful walk from hamlet to hamlet, through forests and fields, and an opportunity to discover or rediscover La Chaise-Dieu and its rich heritage.

This route crosses part of the forest in the municipality of Cistrières, starting from the village of Condat. The hamlets, which are now sparsely populated or uninhabited, were once lively, as evidenced by an old school in Condat and the houses of Béates au Faud and Les Montilles. But during mushroom season, you will encounter many mushroom pickers there.