The Culhat circular loop

Route around Culhat (pronounced Kuya) in the Limagne plain, which runs along the banks of the Allier. Hike to be done from autumn to spring as there is little shade on the route.

Details

16213018
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.68 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 32 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 333 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 290 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park opposite the church.

(S/E) Follow the street northwards.

(1) At the three-way junction, take the path that descends towards the Litroux stream. Cross it, immediately turn right and follow the stream on its left bank for about 800 m until the next crossroads.

(2) Turn right and follow this path along the edge of the forest for about 800 m.

(3) At the cross, keep left and continue straight ahead to the confluence of the Litroux and Allier rivers, which you will follow on the right bank for about 800 m.

(4) At the end of the path, turn right towards the south onto a grassy path that runs alongside a ditch on the right. At the next crossroads, continue almost straight ahead after crossing the ditch. Now follow it on the left until you reach the next three-way junction.

(5) Take the path on the left. This climbs slightly to the D4. Cross it and continue straight ahead to the next crossroads.

(6) Continue straight ahead. When you reach the plateau, at the four-way junction, turn right and continue to the end of the path.

(7) Turn left and continue straight ahead, passing a path on your left. Just before the telephone relay station, turn right onto the path and join the D332. Turn right and follow this road for 100 metres.

(8) Take the path on the right that leads to the village, then turn left into the street. Turn into the first alley on the right (Rue de la Mairie) and head for the car park in front of the church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 304 m - Car park opposite the church.
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 300 m - Three-way junction
  3. 2 : km 1.38 - alt. 293 m - Bridge over the Litroux
  4. 3 : km 2.1 - alt. 293 m - Cross at the crossroads.
  5. 4 : km 3.19 - alt. 290 m - Grassy path running alongside a ditch on the right - Allier (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 4.28 - alt. 292 m - Three-way junction
  7. 6 : km 4.72 - alt. 305 m - Crossroads, straight ahead
  8. 7 : km 5.8 - alt. 331 m - Fork to the left
  9. 8 : km 6.7 - alt. 312 m - Path on the right leading back to the village.
  10. S/E : km 7.68 - alt. 304 m - Car park opposite the church.

Worth a visit

11th-century church.
Lantern of the dead.
Dovecote.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
RYSD
RYSD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very quiet and pleasant.
View of the Chaîne des Puys.
Very good for children.

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User 15867753

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, easy hike that is ideal for families and/or dogs. The route is pleasant and well signposted.

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Mamil
Mamil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We just stopped at the church car park and from there there were no signs. OK with the map and then perfect and really beautiful, thank you.

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ribso
ribso

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A flat route with no difficulties, ideal for walking our dog. At the end, we were surprised to find we had covered more than 7km!
View of the Livradois-Forez (snow-covered that day) and a pretty church at the start, but otherwise not very interesting... perhaps because the weather was gloomy. Didn't feel like taking a dip in the Allier, especially as there was a lot of water and a strong current!

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Soma
Soma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk along the river. Not much shade.

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JGabriel
JGabriel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Little elevation gain, so easy to do.

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Lolie 2018
Lolie 2018

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Flat route, no difficulty whatsoever. The river is a bonus.😀

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Retraité63
Retraité63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely stroll to aid digestion, but be careful in summer as there is very little shade. Easy with children, even by bike. Access to the Allier river, which can be nice in summer.

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Patural63
Patural63

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nothing to report

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