Flat walks

Discover the landscapes of the Limagne and the hills of southern Puy-de-Dôme on a route focused on the vernacular heritage linked to water. A circular passing through around fifteen small buildings that bear witness to the daily activities of our ancestors (fountains, hemp tubs, wash houses, etc.).

A circular loop exploring the small heritage sites linked to water in Flat-le Chauffour. A walk focusing on local heritage linked to water and raising awareness of lost heritage and values. The hemp bins or "routoirs" bear witness to an agricultural activity that offered real added value to its inhabitants (19th and early 20th centuries).

Discover the heritage of the Communes of Aulhat-Saint-Privat on a hike accessible to the whole family: natural and architectural heritage. Ailloux Valley, the three castles of Aulhat, the village of Flat. View of the villages of Saint-Babel, Brenat and Usson. Moderator update on 14/12/2020: Please note! This hike was published a long time ago and has not been followed by the author. See reviews for information on navigation difficulties.

A superb walk between the old volcanoes of the Comté region to the crystalline base cut by the Saint-Yvoine horst, with exceptional panoramic views.

Departure from the Étang de Lospeux pond, located 4 km north of Sauxillanges. It is a quiet place where you can picnic and fish in accordance with the regulations. You will see grey herons and white egrets. The route is easy (only one climb), sunny and suitable for families. You will admire beautiful landscapes. You won't be disappointed by this outing.

While the Abbey Church of Saint-Austremoine is the undisputed jewel of Issoire, there are a few other pleasant surprises in store for you in the town, including small canals and beautiful architecture on the Place de la République.

This new walk partly follows the route of the old municipal and ONF (French National Forestry Office) walk in the Saint-Babel forest. The new route encroaches on the municipalities of Yronde and Buron to pass by the Borne des Quatre Seigneurs, the Borne du Saut du Cheval and Fayet.

After passing between the fountain and the Cluniac cloister, you will discover the Quai des Coufferts, its leat and its half-timbered house. You will visit the interior of the Picondry Volcano (Petit Lemptégy). From there, you will have a panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys and the plain. On the way back, you will enjoy beautiful landscapes and a view of Saint-Quentin-sur-Sauxillanges (its castle and bell tower). Then you will pass by the waterfall dating from 936, along the leat of the monks and a wash house.

Why take the road from Sauxillanges to Usson and back again? Why not walk instead? Come and discover this wild trail that links a Cluniac site to the volcano in one of the most beautiful villages in France. And once in Usson, why not admire the 360° view from the top of the hill?

Hike in the hills of Limagne d'Issoire, including a visit to two old wine-growing villages and passing through the small village of Puy Moriot, old arkose quarries and a stonemason's hut.

Take a stroll around and through the village of Usson. Climb to the top of the peak (639 m) for a 360° panoramic view of the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif and the Livradois-Forez mountains. A statue of the Virgin Mary dating from 1893 stands at the summit.

A circular route offering beautiful panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Limagne and the Sancy massif, passing through the ancient villages of Parent, Yronde and Buron. Of note: a pretty church in Yronde (open every time we passed by), the basalt mound of the old feudal castle of Buron called the Citadelle de Buron, fountains, wash houses and traditional dwellings.

In the Pays des Couzes, set off to explore the villages of Chadeleuf and Sauvagnat-Sainte-Marthe along wide paths criss-crossing an agricultural plateau offering superb views of the Monts Dore, the hilltop villages of the Limagne and the Puy de Dôme.

The hiking trail climbs up to the village of Les Roches, a prehistoric site currently undergoing restoration, then leads to Pardines via the plateau before descending through a beautiful acacia forest. Here you can see the outcrop of ancient lacustrine sediments, known as Lahres.

The hillsides of the Allier in Puy-de-Dôme were once an important wine-growing area, as evidenced by the architecture of the villages you pass through on this hike. Among them is Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

This walk on the plateau allows you to walk on paving stones from the old Montpeyroux quarry, visit this magnificent wine-growing village and discover the banks of the Allier in the undergrowth.

Starting from Montpeyroux, this circular route takes you to the banks of the Allier and the village of Coude. The medieval fortress of Montpeyroux, "the most beautiful village in France" built with local golden arkose stone, can be visited at the end of the route. You can climb up to the keep-museum, which offers a beautiful view.

This circular route follows the Ruisseau de la Ribeyre valley. Most of the route is through woodland. The best viewpoint is just before the access to the D24.

Between Saint-Maurice and Mirefleurs, two former wine-growing villages, the Vallon des Bouys, overlooking the Allier, consists of dry grasslands whose flora and fauna are protected. Below the valley, old lime kilns bear witness to the local exploitation of limestone. On the site of the former Sainte-Marguerite spa, a geyser awaits your arrival, perhaps to wake up.

The winegrowers' houses in the village of Corent are huddled together on a narrow terrace on the eastern slope of the Corent Plateau. On the plateau, an archaeological site highlights the remains of an important Gallic and then Roman settlement. The slopes of the plateau are covered with vineyards producing the Côtes d'Auvergne Corent AOP. You may even spot some chamois. At the bottom of the plateau, the banks of the Allier are rich in carbonated springs.