Lavoûte-Chilhac from Chilhac

In Chilhac, park on the left bank of the Allier, near a canoeing and picnic area. View of the village.

Red and white^GR®® markings

(S/E) Return to the bridge and cross the Allier. Take the first street on the right, which winds its way up to the village. Pass some beautiful basalt columns.

(1) Continue along the street, ignoring the streets on the right, as you will visit Chilhac on the way back. Join the D168 and follow it to the left. At the four-way crossroads, continue straight ahead until you reach a fork with a path (the return route).

Yellow markings, quite old

(2) Leave the^GR®® and stay on the right, on the road. Ignore a path on the left before a wood. At the next fork, follow the small road on the left, turn right at the intersection and you will come to the D4.

(3) Cross carefully, take the path opposite which descends and joins the Ruisseau des Veyssaires. Ignore the path that goes up to the left and cross the stream. On the other side, go up, ignore a vague path on the right and join a small road.

No markings

(4) Follow it to the left.

(5) Ignore a road on the left and pass a beautiful chestnut tree. When you reach the D4, take a few steps to the right and then take the street on the left which joins the main street of Lavoûte-Chilhac.

^GR®® Red and White markings

(6) Follow it to the right, ignore the hairpin bend on the left and cross the village. Further on, pass the monastery (which will be visited on the way back), leave the Tourist Office on the left and take the bridge over the Allier.

Yellow "Face aux paysages"markings

(7) Follow the Route de la Voute to the left until the end of the left-hand bend, when the view opens up on the left. Look out for a few steps leading up to the right (yellow arrow "Face aux paysages") at the corner of the house with a balcony. Continue along the path, which climbs steeply. It soon offers a first view of the village.

(8) Continue along the path which descends and joins the hamlet of Le Bois. Walk about 50 metres along the access road until you reach a path on the right.

(9) Take this path and continue downhill until you reach a T-junction.

(10) Turn right and join Rue du Pont at the bottom of Impasse de l'Intendant. Go down the steps opposite, follow the small road on the right and then go back up to the bridge.

(7) Cross it again and visit the monastery.

^GR®® Red and White Markings

Then retrace your steps to cross the village again.

(6) At the edge of the village, continue straight ahead on the^GR®, cross the D4 with caution and continue on the other side on the small road that climbs and becomes a path. Views of Chilhac

(11) Cross the D4 with caution and continue straight ahead. Go straight ahead at the crossroads and join the D643, the intersection of the circular route.

(2) Retrace your steps along the same route you took on the way there.

(1) At the village, take the unmarked streets on the left for a visit, then return to the outward route and, in the opposite direction, return to the car park (S/E).

There is a fairly long stretch of road between (4) which may put some people off. It is quite possible to take the opposite route on the way back, via the^GR®®.

Moderately difficult hike with some steep sections on the circular route around the heights of Lavoûte-Chilhac. Standard hiking equipment required.

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

Photo album here

Information about the Sainte-Croix Priory in Lavoûte-Chilhac here.

From the heights of Lavoûte-Chilhac, superb views of the village and the Allier.