The Valley of the Waterwheels in Thiers

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A trail themed around cutlery. As you follow the Durolle, you’ll step back in time as you discover the waterwheels, a type of mill powered by the river’s flow. They reveal the valley’s rich industrial past. The arrival of electrification in the 20th century eventually brought an end to these waterwheels.

Details

n°25658076
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.25 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 122 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 127 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 532 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 433 m
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Photos

View of the Durolle

Description of the walk

At Château Gaillard, on the D2089, turn right or left depending on which direction you’re coming from at the corner by the bakery and park in the car park located a few dozen metres from the main road.

(S/E) Continue to the end of the tarmac road to reach the visitor centre.

(1) Carry on straight ahead for about fifty metres, then take the path on the left.

(2) Cross the Durolle to reach waterwheels 1 and 2. Turn back.

(2) Continue to the left to find wheels 4 to 10, following a circular path. Return to the visitor centre.

(1) Turn left and follow the Durolle to see waterwheels 11 to 15. Then, turn left to cross the river and see the last three waterwheels (16, 17 and 18).

(3) Turn back.

(1) Return to the tarmac road to get back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 532 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 518 m - Visitor centre
  3. 2 : km 0.3 - alt. 486 m - Durolle (rivière) - Affluent de la Dore
  4. 3 : km 1.53 - alt. 433 m - Waterwheel 18
  5. S/E : km 2.25 - alt. 532 m - Car park

Notes

Several water points available along the route.
Suitable for young children despite a few tricky sections.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 11401747

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A charming route, shaded, a bit stony but culturally rich. A good way to learn about the hard life of the knife grinders. If you have weak ankles, wear sturdy shoes. Some sections are stony. At this time of year, there are very few walkers. There are a few picnic tables at the end of the trail before you turn back to head to the car park. Worth doing again to bring friends along.

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Falsa
Falsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route in this sweltering heat; a picnic by the water; option to continue on to Thiers after the last waterwheel (several steep climbs).

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91gillou
91gillou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very pleasant and informative walk

Machine-translated

grandin
grandin ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I was just about to describe this walk when I realised it was already on the website
A lovely walk along the Durolle, which remains impetuous even after a drought.
Thanks to the author

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