Gouttières (Puy-de-Dôme) walks

The Sioule River shapes the landscape of the Combrailles. Between valleys, wild gorges, forest paths and volcanic peaks offering magnificent views... here, it is the Queuille meander that takes our breath away with its strange tranquillity and perfect curves.

Discover the hamlets of the Blot region and the superb lime trees that adorn their squares. The second part of this walk will take you to Château-Rocher, which overlooks the Sioule valley.

A hike between rivers and woodland hills, in the Combrailles region.

This trail takes you from hamlet to hamlet to discover the small-scale architectural heritage of this part of Auvergne, in the north of the Puy-de-Dôme: traditional houses with stepped gables, wells and drinking troughs, a former abbey in Menat and a medieval bridge over the Sioule.

A circular walk starting from the village. This is a pretty path through woods and meadows with a few hills. A pleasant surprise awaits you on the last four kilometres, where wooden statues have been placed along the route.

This hike offers the chance to discover several wooden statues, magnificent views and various examples of local heritage. You will also pass through the village of Charron with its church and imposing war memorial.

Starting from Courdemanges, this is a magnificent, well-maintained walk through woodland. Note the recent restoration of an old weighbridge, magnificent views and the imposing Croix Tontus in the village of Courdemanges.

Stroll through the Drouille Forest along small paths. Enjoy the magnificent undergrowth and admire several crosses along the way, including the imposing stone cross of Courdemanges.

A beautiful hike at the gateway to Auvergne, discovering the small heritage sites and landscapes of Creuse. Discover the flora and fauna of our countryside and stop at pretty viewpoints.

A perfect circle 700 m in diameter and approximately 66 m deep, the Gour de Tazenat is a crater lake or maar whose clear waters are home to a variety of aquatic fauna. A path through the undergrowth allows everyone to walk around it easily.

Tour of the Sep Joli dam with a view of it. A fairly easy hike between paths and forest. Not too crowded in July, mostly fishermen.

Since 1992, this pleasant walk has invited visitors to stroll among Gilles Perez's monumental contemporary lava stone sculptures, which blend in with the landscape and nature. Additional sculptures have been added over the years.

A short, shaded circular loop between woods and meadows, hilly, consisting of very passable dirt tracks and very small roads used by locals. During the walk, you will pass a small pond with tables and benches. Horses may be present on the route.

Set off to explore the town of Auzances and the village of La Mérodie. Hiking information sheet available from the Auzances Tourist Office (Place du Marché).

Leaving the village of Pontaumur, you will discover the Sioulet, a tributary of the Sioule and a paradise for trout fishermen. The wild gorges will delight lovers of unspoilt nature.

A very pleasant walk in the oldest part of the Chaîne des Puys. The hamlet of Beaunit is nestled in the hollow of a volcanic maar that was occupied by a lake several hundred thousand years ago.

Along a narrow goat track lined with boxwood forest, this circuit takes you through a wild landscape of gorges, where memories of a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary remain on the banks of the Chat-Cros.

A lovely little hike with beautiful views of the Cher, starting from Saint-Genest south of Montluçon.

A double loop around Saint-Ours-les-Roches to discover the typical hamlets of this region of the Combrailles, at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys.

From Pontgibaud and the beautiful medieval architecture of Château Dauphin, you will travel through the mysterious landscapes of the Cheire de Pontgibaud, one of the most beautiful lava flows in the Chaîne des Puys.

One of the favourite walks for locals, along a beautiful stream, through the woods, very close to the spa centre.

In Enval, the playful Ambène stream rises in the chestnut groves and offers dazzling views of the Château de Tournoël and the Chaîne des Puys in the distance. This site is classified as a natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest. This hike can be done in hot weather as it is very shaded.

The steep slopes protect the site and its wild appearance, home to a variety of fauna and rich flora. In the past, the gorges were the lifeline of the commune. The paths led to the sunny slopes devoted to vineyards and served flour and hemp mills.

A hike in a protected environment to discover the Volvic springs and Volvic stone, formed from molten lava. And why not take a little detour to Tournoël Castle?

"Human noise becomes silent, nature makes volcanoes chatter; whispering landscapes, and whispering a thousand voices of silence". Caption of the beautiful sculpture by Thierry Courtadon that you will encounter on your route, alongside with great viewpoints.

This route starts at the Vulcania crossroads and begins with a long, fairly flat, open path before crossing the forest to reach these two magnificent volcanoes. The route can be done in either direction.

Leaving Sayat, discover the wine-growing village of Châteaugay on the way out through the orchards of the Plateau de Lachaud and on the way back through the Plateau de Bade. Along the way, you'll discover the market towns of Malauzat and Blanzat.