La Grande Allée in Courbanges

A walk through the Courbanges forest to discover its tall trees, with a detour to a typical plateau dwelling.

Details

n°95224

Creation:
07 Jan 2015

Last update:
06 Oct 2017

Last review:
20 Jun 2025

Activity: Snowshoeing
Distance: 5.92 mi
Duration according to the author: 5 hrs
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 1,135 ft
Descent: - 1,135 ft
Highest point: 4,101 ft
Lowest point: 2,966 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Monts Dore
City: Saint-Victor-la-Rivière (63790)
Start/End: N 45.546658° / E 2.901902°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2432ET, 2432ETR
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Description of the walk

Start from the Volcaflore lodge in Courbanges.
(S/E) Cross the D36 road and head due south on the^GR®30(signposted), cross the Courbanges stream and, heading south-east, reach the junction with the Chemin de Vanzoux.

(1) Turn right onto this wide path, which ends at the edge of the woods.
Reach Le Buron in the Montagne du Breuil.

(2) Head north-east to reach the edge of the forest, continue along the edge of the forest to reach a path junction.

(3) Cross the^GR®30, continue along the edge of the forest to reach the Grande Allée. Stay on this path, cross the D36, and continue to the hamlet of Les Quatre Charreyres, which you’ll reach after crossing the D635.
At the 1034m mark, join the^PR® coming from Saint Victor la Rivière.

(4) Turn left onto it, leaving the^PR® on your left at the first junction to join the^GR®30.

(5) Take it to the left, and after a gentle climb through the forest, reach the Chemin des Quayres, which leads back to the lodge (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,773 ft - Volcaflore Lodge
1 : mi 0.98 - alt. 3,996 ft - Vanzoux Path
2 : mi 1.65 - alt. 4,101 ft - Buron Montagne du Breuil
3 : mi 2.22 - alt. 4,022 ft - GR30 junction
4 : mi 3.81 - alt. 3,586 ft - Les Quatre Charreyres
5 : mi 4.58 - alt. 2,966 ft - GR30 junction
S/E : mi 5.92 - alt. 3,773 ft - Volcaflore Lodge

Notes

Make sure you wrap up warm, as the wind can be unpleasant here, even in the forest.

Worth a visit

Besse en Chandesse.
Super Besse resort.
Chaudefour Valley.
Murol and its castle.
Le Chambon du Lac.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

User 13430637

20 Jun 2025 at 16:57 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike with the option to extend the distance a little. The return journey is quite invigorating.

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yannmarie77

05 Jun 2018 at 16:25 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk. Stunning scenery between the start and point no. 1 on the Chaîne des Puys. Pretty woodland. Please note that when you reach the road at point no. 4 (Les Quatre Charreye), you must take the road (D635) on the right towards Le Breuil to reach point 1030, as there is no path between points no. 4 and 1030.

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Sylvie G2.

09 Jul 2015 at 09:43 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

For a first attempt, it was perfect!!

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