Forest and hamlets at the start of Cistrières

de fr

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.

Details

n°10517833
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.16 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 787 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 814 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,481 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,018 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

The village of Cistrières can be reached via the D19 road from Brioude to La Chaise-Dieu. Parking is easy in the church square, where you will also find the town hall and a fountain.

(S/E) Join the D19 and turn right for about 100 metres.

(1) Turn right and follow Chemin du Lavoir. Walk past the cemetery and continue to the water treatment plant.

(2) Turn right and follow the path through the woods until you reach a crossroads with two paths on either side.

(3) Ignore both and continue straight ahead to join the D201.

(4) Turn left, pass by the Astiers farm and follow the sunken path to Montrecoux.

(5) Turn right and rejoin the D201. Cross it carefully and take the small road opposite leading to Rochefolle.

(6) Take the track on the left, pass the buildings and continue to the junction with a wider path.

(7) Turn left, cross the bridge that marks the confluence of the Lamandie and Senouire streams and head towards the hamlet of Lachaux. Go straight through the hamlet and turn left at the last houses to continue along the path that leads to a T-junction further on.

(8) Turn left, cross the bridge over the Senouire and join the D19.

(9) Cross it very carefully, first turn left then right, to join the Route de Charlette Haute. Leave this road at the three-way junction, turn left and continue until you reach a crossroads after making a 90° left turn.

(10) Turn right, rejoin the tarmac road and continue on the left to return to the D19, towards Cistrières. Turn right and follow the road carefullyto return to the church square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,281 ft - Town hall car park - Église Saint-Pierre (Cistrières)
  2. 1 : mi 0.07 - alt. 3,255 ft - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : mi 0.38 - alt. 3,219 ft - Water treatment plant
  4. 3 : mi 1.16 - alt. 3,176 ft - At the crossroads, continue straight ahead.
  5. 4 : mi 1.49 - alt. 3,192 ft - D201
  6. 5 : mi 1.78 - alt. 3,281 ft - Montrecoux
  7. 6 : mi 2.25 - alt. 3,241 ft - Rochefolle, on the left
  8. 7 : mi 2.69 - alt. 3,091 ft - Crossroads, on the left
  9. 8 : mi 3.49 - alt. 3,143 ft - T-junction, left
  10. 9 : mi 4.2 - alt. 3,146 ft - D19
  11. 10 : mi 4.86 - alt. 3,294 ft - Crossroads, on the right
  12. S/E : mi 6.16 - alt. 3,281 ft - Town hall car park - Église Saint-Pierre (Cistrières)

Notes

(S/E) Refreshments are available at the fountain square. The fountain water is drinkable. The spring that feeds it comes from the Lamandie Forest.

Worth a visit

Visit the village. Old craftsmen's shops bear witness to the activity of the past.

Other walks in the area

Walking The Cistrières forest and its isolated hamlets

Visorando Member
↔4.68 mi ↗+315 ft ↘-325 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Cistrières (Haute-Loire)
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.

Walking Circular route to the south-west of Connangles via Pissis and Intranges

Visorando Member
↔5.83 mi ↗+709 ft ↘-682 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Connangles (Haute-Loire)
The route passes through beautiful, shaded forest tracks and crosses seven villages surrounded by areas dedicated to livestock farming. The route is dotted with remarkable trees and magnificent high forests. The thick-walled houses, built of granite, are a reminder of the harsh climate of the Cassadean plateau.

Walking Circular route on the heights of the Doulon valley starting from Vintz via l'Air

Visorando Member
↔3.98 mi ↗+673 ft ↘-702 ft ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon (Haute-Loire)
The route passes through coniferous woods and magnificent beech forests, offering welcome shade if you walk it in summer. Recent logging has opened up the view to the right bank of the Doulon valley, revealing superb panoramic views.

Walking Circular route around Laval-sur-Doulon via Le Cros, La Chassagne and Le Vialard

Visorando Member
↔4.54 mi ↗+935 ft ↘-938 ft ◔2h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Laval-sur-Doulon (Haute-Loire)
The trails on this route will take you on a journey of discovery through the villages on the outskirts of the market town of Laval-sur-Doulon. Most are permanently inhabited. The two mills at Diat and Le Vialard have ceased operations, but their ‘engine’, the River Doulon, still flows. The trails are often shaded, so you can hike here in summer.

Walking All around La Chaise Dieu or Casa Dei

Visorando Member
Tout autour de La Chaise Dieu ou Casa Dei
↔6.53 mi ↗+722 ft ↘-722 ft ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Chaise-Dieu (Haute-Loire)
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.

Walking Moissac Bas pond and bog

Visorando Member
↔6.62 mi ↗+1,181 ft ↘-1,178 ft ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon (Haute-Loire)
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.

Walking Discover Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon: water, forest, pastures

Visorando Member
↔7.84 mi ↗+1,401 ft ↘-1,375 ft ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon (Haute-Loire)
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.

Walking Circular on the heights of Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon, Largnes, Tavernols

Visorando Member
↔6.60 mi ↗+1,345 ft ↘-1,319 ft ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Didier-sur-Doulon (Haute-Loire)
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.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.