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Espalem walks
The Vernassal Stream
Visorando Member
5.96 mi
+554 ft
-561 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Léotoing (Haute-Loire)
This pleasant route, partly through woodland along the stream or across farmland, offers views of Torsiac Castle in the foreground and then Léotoing Castle.
In the background lies the Alagnon valley.
The castles in Lorlanges
6.01 mi
+568 ft
-597 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Lorlanges (Haute-Loire)
A walk through farmland and forests, along a stream, with views of the châteaux of Védrines, Vernassal and Léotoing.
Lorlanges, paths and castles
Association / Club / Walk leader6.20 mi
+545 ft
-571 ft
3h 20
Easy
Departure from Lorlanges (Haute-Loire)
A lovely walk along good paths, offering a close-up view of the castles of Védrines and Vernassal, and a distant view of Léotoing Castle.
This is a variation on the “castles walk” (Respirando No. 497 and Visorando No. 1363868), which takes you closer to Védrines Castle and offers an extended view of Léotoing Castle at the start of the route.
The Orgues de Chadecol
5.73 mi
+748 ft
-755 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Blesle (Haute-Loire)
A hike to discover the site of Chadecol, inhabited 10,000 years ago by the first farmers and herders.
A walk to admire the basalt columns of Chadecol, the Allagnon valley and the village of Blesle.
La Ferme du Bos
4.69 mi
+860 ft
-860 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Blesle (Haute-Loire)
This walk begins in the woods along a stream, leading to a former 17th-century fortified castle that has now been converted into a farm. You’ll discover magnificent views over the valleys surrounding the charming village of Blesle.
The sparkling spring of Bois du Four
3.52 mi
+751 ft
-741 ft
2h 15
Moderate
Departure from Blesle (Haute-Loire)
In search of the spring in the forest, this is a short but challenging hike that starts by following the Sianne valley and continues towards the hamlet of Chantejail through the woods that cover the ridges of the Pic du Chambon.
Chalet - Montgon
6.95 mi
+866 ft
-889 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Massiac (Cantal)
To the north-east of the Cantal volcano, Massiac lies in a small basin formed by the Alagnon and its two tributaries: the Alagnonette and the Arcueil. From the top of the Plateau de Chalet, a basalt plateau, one of many left by volcanic flows in the landscape, there is a beautiful view over the valley.
The Serre Cross
2.35 mi
+449 ft
-446 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Léotoing (Haute-Loire)
This route allows you to admire the village of Léotoing and the ruins of its castle, and to discover the Alagnon valley, the Cézaliers mountains and the castle of Torsiac.
Between Brivadois and the Massiac region, starting from Lubihac.
6.86 mi
+692 ft
-709 ft
3h 45
Moderate
Departure from Lubilhac (Haute-Loire)
The first slate-roofed houses, large pastures and isolated farms herald the end of the Brivadois forests and the beginning of the Cézallier summer pastures.
The Oudeyre hut
3.79 mi
+860 ft
-860 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Massiac (Cantal)
My favourite walk in Massiac. Starting from the centre of Massiac, this route allows you, after 400 m, to walk through countryside with no roads, no houses and no fences. On the ascent, it follows the old royal, then imperial, road from Paris to Perpignan as far as the Baraque d’Oudeyre, a ruined former coaching inn. On the descent, it returns along the ridge through heathland and woods of pine and oak trees.
Chambezon - Le Caure
4.37 mi
+909 ft
-909 ft
2h 50
Difficult
Departure from Chambezon (Haute-Loire)
A physically demanding route halfway down the descent into the valley, offering magnificent views of the Alagnon Valley and Léotoing Castle.
The Lempdes Hills
5.22 mi
+584 ft
-574 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Lempdes-sur-Allagnon (Haute-Loire)
Landscapes on the edge of the Lembron valley and at the start of the Allagnon Gorges, a landscape of plateaus and plains in the Limagne region, punctuated by the villages of Lempdes and Moriat.
From Vergongheon to the Allier via Rilhac
6.09 mi
+167 ft
-167 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Vergongheon (Haute-Loire)
Vergongheon is situated on a plateau overlooking the Allier valley. This is why fortified houses, topped with towers, were built in the villages of Rilhac and Lubières, enabling the monitoring of traffic in the valley. The remains of these structures can be seen in Rilhac and Lubières.
Château d'Aurouze and Palhàs de Molompize
3.68 mi
+883 ft
-853 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Molompize (Cantal)
This walk takes in two iconic sites in the Alagnon Valley: the ruined Château d'Aurouze and its beautiful view over the valley, followed by the vineyard terraces (known in our valley as "Palhàs") of Molompize.
Between the mining basin and farmland in Livradois
4.27 mi
+558 ft
-558 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Vézézoux (Haute-Loire)
This walk is a transition between the flat landscapes of the former mining basin and the forest landscapes of Livradois.
It was from the woods of these forests that sapinières (single-use wooden boats) transported coal, wine and hemp to Paris.