The Sioule and the Gorce stream starting from Antérioux.

In Antérioux, park in the square with the fountain-watering trough and oven, Place de la Fontaine.

(S/E) Head towards the fountain and then the nearby crossroads with a wayside shrine. Take the street on the left, and at the fork in the road, continue to the right towards Nébouzat centre. Youwill pass the well-restored Sartoune wash house.

(1) At the intersection, turn right onto Chemin de l'Étang. You will cross the Ruisseau de la Gigeole stream. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead, then stay on this path which turns left as it approaches the D2089 and Nébouzat, with the Ruisseau de la Gigeole stream on your left.

(2) At the intersection with the road, make a sharp right turn to take the tunnel that passes under the D2089. On the other side, turn right immediately and you will soon see the red and white GR® markings, which you should follow until further notice.

(3) Turn left at the crossroads and ignore a path on the left that is not shown on the map. Shortly afterwards, you will cross the Ruisseau de la Gorce via a footbridge. The path then climbs to a crossroads at the Croix du Pialoux.

(4) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the side paths, on this path which descends and arrives at the hamlet of Pont des Eaux. Keep going in the same direction on the street that extends the path, and you will arrive at the Les Eaux hiking marker, at the oven (fountain on its right above) and a crossroads.

(5) Continue straight ahead for about 100 metres.

(6) At the intersection, leave the GR® trail and continue straight ahead on Impasse de la Sioule. You will come to a busy road, the D216 (small cross). Turn left to cross carefully at the pedestrian crossing and walk a few metres to the left to take the path that climbs steeply to the right, following the yellow PR® markings.

(7) At the junction with a grassy path on the left, take this path. Continue in the same direction at the intersection with a path (Chemin des Genettes) which further on becomes a street (Rue des Genettes) that crosses the hamlet of Villejacques. Stay on this street, leaving the yellow markings at an intersection, and you will arrive at a small square with a drinking fountain on the right.

(8) Turn right to follow Rue du Quaire, ignore a path on the right and you will arrive at another small square. Keep to the right, still on Rue du Quaire. At the end of the street, you will arrive at a fork in the road, next to a very pretty cross.

(9) Take the path on the left and shortly afterwards ignore a path on the left that is not marked on the map. Further on, ignore a path on the left and you will soon come to an intersection with a path marked GR®, which you should follow until otherwise indicated.

(10) Follow this path to the right and join a small road to the right. Further on, you will cross a bridge over the Sioule. Continue along the road until you reach the houses of Monteribeyre.

(11) Take the path on the right and, shortly afterwards, you will see a sign on the right indicating the direction of the "Petit pont de pierre sur la Sioule" (small stone bridge over the Sioule). Make a round trip to see this pretty site (ideal for a break), then retrace your steps and continue to the right. You will arrive at a street in the hamlet of Monteribeyre.

(12) Immediately, at the corner of the first house, take the path on the right. It runs along the top of the Sioule.

(13) Further on, notice a small cliff of basalt columns on the left of the path, which are part of the Olby lava flow. You will notice that small holes have been drilled near the ground. If you bring a compass (a real one, not your phone or GPS) close to them, you will see a magnetic inversion trapped in these rocks: your compass will lose its north slightly!
Shortly afterwards, you will arrive at the D216 and find yourself back at Pont des Eaux. Cross carefully and follow the Route de Pradines opposite. You will soon come to an intersection that you passed on the way there.

(6) Follow the street to the left to return to the intersection at the "Les Eaux" signpost.

(5) Leave the GR® and turn left onto Chemin de la Passerelle. At the fork in the road, go left and, shortly afterwards, take a footbridge over the Ruisseau de la Gorce. On the other side, at the intersection with a path, turn right. The path runs alongside the stream before turning away from it, becoming a small road and reaching a crossroads at a campsite.

(14) Continue straight ahead on the road, passing behind the campsite. Shortly before a house on the right, leave the road and take a path on the right at a sign indicating "Cascade des Saliens". Follow this path, ignoring a path leading down to the right. You will arrive at a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall, where you can enjoy the scenery. Continue along the path, cross the Ruisseau de la Gigeole stream on a stone slab and you will arrive at a road.

(15) Follow it to the left, cross the stream again, then pass under the D2089 and arrive at an intersection. Turn right and follow this quiet road to the entrance to Antérioux. At the fork in the road, keep right and return to your parking spot (S/E).

Hike of moderate difficulty, leaning towards easy, requiring standard hiking equipment.

Some sections of road (with little traffic).

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Olby lava flow

The Saliens Waterfall is formed where the Gigeole Stream meets the Olby basalt lava flow (which is difficult to erode). The basalt cliff is not high, but the waterfall is impressive when the stream is full.

Some beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys. Traditional dwellings preserved in the hamlets, fountains, wash houses and other drinking troughs and ovens. Lots of white water on this route, which is therefore pleasant in winter.