Dancé walks

Starting from Dancé church, head for the Pêt de l'Âne, a magnificent viewpoint over the longest meander of the Loire. Here you will find the marked hiking trails along the banks of the Loire. You can return via the Cierve woods, which have beautiful undergrowth. From the path leading to La Madone, there is a beautiful panoramic view: to the east, the Monts du Lyonnais; to the south, the Monts du Pilat; and to the west, the Monts du Forez with Pierre-sur-Haute and the Monts de la Madeleine.

A pleasant hike along the Isable river, passing by the Padègue viaduct.

Ce circuit parcours la campagne de Saint-Julien-d'Oddes au milieu d'une végétation luxuriante. La Rivière l'Aix nous accompagne jusqu'à la centrale hydroélectrique de Chizonnet.

A beautiful walk offering views of the Loire upstream from the Villerest Dam, with a glimpse of the Château de la Roche. It is not particularly difficult, but half of it is along the road, especially between Pinay, Saint-Jodard and the return to La Vourdiat. The banks of the Loire offer some good spots for a picnic and a quiet break (so please respect the fishermen who are also enjoying the same setting).

Walk in the Monts de la Madeleine between Villemontais and Chérier. 15/05/2024: Route modified to avoid passing through private property at Ripouroux.

A hike to an altitude of nearly 1,000 metres, through a farming landscape where you will encounter ancient heritage.

Circular through the countryside and forest to discover Les Cornes d'Urfé.

A 4-day hiking tour from lodge to lodge in the Monts de la Madeleine (low mountain range) west of the town of Roanne. Immerse yourself in nature, often still wild, by taking as many small paths as possible.

Departure from a high point in the Monts de la Madeleine, in Cherier, at a place called Le Point du Jour (870 m, 14-bed stopover lodge with meals) to descend to the Côte Roannaise, cross its vine-covered hillsides and arrive at the medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (14-bed stopover lodge with meals). This route gives priority to small paths with no motor vehicle traffic and beautiful views of the Roanne plain.

This circular route, which starts in Sainte-Colombe-sur-Gand, follows an old railway line through countryside and forest, finally crossing the vertiginous Pont Marteau bridge, which is 320 m long and 50 m high. This route follows the signs for "Sur les traces du tacot" (In the footsteps of the old train) and, in the forest, the yellow and red markings ofthe GRP® "Terre de tisseurs en forêt" (Land of weavers in the forest).

Morning: crossing the northern part of the Roanne coast vineyards, with little elevation gain, and two beautiful historic villages: Saint-Haon-le-Châtel and Ambierle, with a rich heritage open to visitors. The afternoon is more challenging with the climb to leat (altitude 765 m) through meadows and forest. Most of the route is on dirt tracks with no traffic.

Departure from the Loge des Gardes sports centre. Start the day in the beautiful beech undergrowth of the Assise State Forest, above 1,000 metres altitude, before descending to the more open plateaus of La Tuilière and Cherier, with beautiful views. End at the Refuge du Point du Jour lodge (overnight stay and meals made with farm produce) (altitude 870 metres).

Starting from Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges, this route runs along the ridges surrounding this small village in the Montagnes du Matin. The first ridge is open. The second part, on theGR®7, is in the forest. Located halfway along the route, the Lac de Saint-Cyr, which is more of a pond, is ideal for a break in the shade. The return journey offers beautiful unobstructed views of the plain and the Monts du Forez.

A very beautiful hike starting from the car park at the bar in Saint-Cyr-de-Valorges. You will travel through the Saint-Cyr and Violay countryside, passing by the Échanssieux dam and then Violay, returning via Les Crêtes (GR®7) where you will enjoy two magnificent landscapes: on your right, the Monts du Lyonnais (and, on a clear day, the Alps and Mont Blanc); on your left, the Monts du Forez, Auvergne and Cantal.

A gentle hike to start your holiday in the Forez mountains.

A walk in the Netrablaise countryside, across fields, from hamlet to hamlet, to discover an old and majestic chestnut tree.

An easy walk through fields and woods to discover a beautiful rock formation, the Autel de la Baronnie, with its wobbly stone, armchairs and potholes, followed by a large majestic oak tree at the Ferme de la Gilbernie.

Enjoy a lovely walk above Ambierle through fields and forests. Discover its magnificent church with its polychrome tiles.

This hike takes us through the woods of Pierre Châtel (Saint-Nicolas-des-leat) to the Druidic Stone (Loge des Gardes). The return journey takes us through isolated hamlets and farms.

The lodges or shepherd's huts, located on the Hautes Chaumes, were summer pasture buildings from May to October. To get to the start of the hike, after passing the hamlet of Nermond, 200 m away, in a straight line, at the crossroads of this road with the Route de la Combe on the right, turn more to the right and take a stony path, heading for the calvary. Park at the bottom or in the cornfields on the left-hand side of the uphill path.

This hike takes us on a journey between modernity (the wind turbines) and the past (the old glassmakers' village, the Château des Hormières) and offers beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.

This short hike takes you past two remarkable sites: the Pierre Châtel with a beautiful view from its summit and the mysterious "Allée des Sorcières" (Witches' Alley) with its twisted beech trees.

This walk takes us through woods to the Verrerie plateau and its peat bog.

An ideal hike to do in the morning to enjoy the coolness of the undergrowth, sheltered from the rising sun. You will overlook the Chalmazelloise valley, the Haut Lignon valley and, in the distance, the summit of Pierre sur Haute. Your attention will be drawn to the numerous blueberry fields.

An easy walk from Noailly to Abbaye de la Bénisson-Dieu, passing Château de la Motte on the way back.

A circular that starts in Jas and takes us through forests and countryside to the small village of Salt-en-Donzy.

A magnificent and fairly easy circuit. Shaded in its first section, it allows you to discover the beautiful Chorsin waterfall and then reaches the plateau of tall grasses before quickly returning to its starting point. The circuit is well signposted with information panels.

This is an easy hike that we did with children aged 7 and 10. Maximum duration: 2 hours.

This stage crosses the highest villages in the Monts de la Madeleine, at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, and allows you to visit two major tourist attractions in St-Nicolas-des-Leat (03): the Allée des Géants and the Pierre Châtel. Most of the route is through deciduous forest, home to mushrooms. The stage ends at the Loge des Gardes sports resort, where accommodation is available (hotel-restaurant).

On snowshoes or on foot, from the Col du Béal to the summit of Pierre-sur-Haute through the forest. Return via the ridges, still on theGR®3or a variant thereof.

A beautiful circular walk starting from the Fossat valley.

This hike will allow you to discover the Cascade de la Pisserote waterfall on the Barbenan.

A pleasant 11km circular between Bellegarde-en-Forez and Saint-André-le-Puy. Pass by the "délices foréziens" and return via the new Voie Verte, which connects the two villages. A peaceful walk with very little traffic on busy roads.