La Roche de Sauterre

La Roche de Sauterre offers a beautiful location for observing the surroundings and the majestic alignment of the Chaîne des Puys. This basalt peak, the result of volcanic activity, contains inclusions of peridotite, a semi-precious stone.

Details

25730937
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 103 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 104 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 971 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 866 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Riom, head towards Mozac. Follow Enval via the D455 then the D138 to the village of Sauterre. Parking is available between the cemetery and the chapel.

(S/E) From the car park, take the small road that climbs alongside the cemetery.

(1) At the first intersection, take the left-hand path (view of the Chaîne des Puys). Join the road and follow it to the right for about 50 metres.

(2) Turn right onto the first path, towards La Roche de Sauterre (signposted). Go through a gate (former quarry building) and continue to the quarry (basalt flows). Take the path on the left that climbs through the forest to the top of La Roche de Sauterre.

(3) 20 m to the right, there is an orientation table and a wide viewpoint: Livradois mountains, Chaîne des Puys, Sancy massif, Artense, Combrailles, etc. Retrace your steps and take the path that runs alongside a high fence to the large pylons (radio relay). Then take the path on the left through the undergrowth.

(4) At the edge of the woods, turn right, pass under the high-voltage power line and continue down a wide path. At the first intersection, ignore the path on the left.

(5) At the next crossroads, continue straight ahead, pass under the high-voltage power line again and join the road.
At this point, take the path on the right which leads directly back to the starting point between two dry stone walls (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 877 m - Sauterre car park (near the cemetery)
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 890 m - Intersection, on the left
  3. 2 : km 0.76 - alt. 888 m - Start of the path on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.74 - alt. 970 m - Sauterre Rock
  5. 4 : km 2.47 - alt. 955 m - Woodland edge, on the right
  6. 5 : km 3.48 - alt. 883 m - Crossing
  7. S/E : km 4.15 - alt. 877 m - Sauterre car park (near the cemetery)

Notes

For your safety, always carry a bottle of water, a hat, warm and rainproof clothing, and wear suitable walking shoes.
Depending on weather conditions, some routes are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are impassable or even prohibited during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your litter.
Animals are prohibited on certain routes.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Dorothée Bdx
Dorothée Bdx

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in bad weather, so there weren't many people out that day.
Superb viewpoint with an orientation table above the impressive Sauterre rock.
Very easy route to follow.

Machine-translated

User 20023671

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike. Well marked by following the yellow butterflies. No difficulty
Beautiful viewpoint

Machine-translated

Christi19
Christi19

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk with a beautiful view from the orientation table. Interesting geological discoveries.

Machine-translated

nikich175
nikich175

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a route for a Sunday afternoon. It is not too long or difficult, but you get a superb view of the Chaîne des Puys from the top of the Roche Sauterre.

Machine-translated

Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant hike.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.