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Le Chambon-Feugerolles walks
Circular route on the edge of the Pilat Regional Nature Park
Visorando Member
8.24 mi
+1,604 ft
-1,578 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
This circular route starts at La Pouratte stadium in Chambon-Feugerolles and takes you to the Cotatay dam, which supplies the town with drinking water, before climbing to overlook the Ondaine valley.
Circular route around the Gaffard district in Firminy
3.41 mi
+535 ft
-561 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
A circular loop around the Gaffard neighbourhood, with no difficulty apart from a slightly steep climb in the first section.
Route from the Firminy mine to Roche-la-Molière
7.63 mi
+833 ft
-817 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Le Chambon-Feugerolles (Loire)
A semi-urban route that follows part of the disused railway line connecting the mine shafts of Firminy and Roche-la-Molière. You will pass through two tunnels (bring a torch). Thesecond part takes you up to higher ground and the return journey is via the ridge road connecting Saint-Étienne to Firminy.
Moderator's warning on 15/02/2021: private property issue in (1), see comments at the bottom of the page.
Around the woods and the Ondenon dam
4.57 mi
+1,047 ft
-1,047 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from La Ricamarie (Loire)
This walk starts in the Ondenon valley and climbs twice to 900m, on both sides of the river.
It offers several panoramic views of the Ondaine valley, the city of Saint-Étienne and, in the distance, the Monts du Forez.
Tour of the Cotatay dam lake
2.13 mi
+351 ft
-351 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
This is an easy walk on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, with a few short sections of steep inclines or slopes.
Located at the entrance to Pilat Park, the Cotatay dam is one of the dams that supplies water to the towns in the valley.
A pleasant, shaded walk that is refreshing in summer (but swimming is prohibited).
Ascent to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam
5.78 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,306 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This walk from Saint-Étienne will take you to Le Guizay via the Ondenon dam. It offers several panoramic views, including the Ondaine valley, Saint-Étienne and the Forez plain.
Ascent to Guizay from Saint-Étienne
3.19 mi
+771 ft
-771 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This walk, which takes about 1½ hours, starts at the gates of Saint-Étienne and then follows a circular route that includes the remarkable Guizay viewpoint.
Walk in the south-west of Saint-Étienne
4.97 mi
+463 ft
-456 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This urban route is more of a Sunday stroll than a proper hike. There’s plenty of tarmac, certainly, but on quiet roads. It allows you to explore the countryside on the outskirts of the city and enjoy some lovely views over the Saint-Étienne conurbation.
Saint-Genest-Lerpt circular via Landuzière and Le Chasseur
6.40 mi
+584 ft
-568 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Lerpt (Loire)
A pleasant short hike in the countryside around Saint-Genest-Lerpt.
Pertuiset Circular - Grangent Dam
14.44 mi
+2,615 ft
-2,638 ft
8h 55
Difficult
Departure from Unieux (Loire)
Located on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne, on the border between the Loire and Haute-Loire departments, the Loire Gorges, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve, charms visitors with its peaceful wooded landscapes, remarkable flora and fauna, rocky outcrops, beautiful Lake Grangent, medieval castles and traditional villages.
The Saint-Étienne Greenway
6.06 mi
+502 ft
-735 ft
3h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
The Greenway allows you to travel from Bellevue to La Terrasse (or vice versa) via the hills west of Saint-Étienne. The signage is sometimes non-existent, sometimes misleading, and most often inadequate. These are all reasons for proposing this walk with a detailed description. It is possible to split it in two by stopping at Puits Couriot.
The route/description update of 16 August 2020 takes into account the new route from Bellevue.
Tour of the Guizay plateau
4.35 mi
+735 ft
-719 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Starting from the Croix du Guizay, this circuit in the Pilat Regional Nature Park offers some of the most beautiful views of Saint-Étienne. The belvedere allows you to take in the city's central street and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire urban area.
The Massardière circular in Saint-Just-Malmont
5.03 mi
+538 ft
-515 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Just-Malmont (Haute-Loire)
A lovely, relatively easy walk starting from the hamlet of Les Gouttes, in Saint-Just-Malmont. A hilly route alternating between open landscapes and forest sections, at an altitude of around 900 metres.
Loire Gorges and Plateau de la Danse from Saint-Victor sur Loire
5.04 mi
+886 ft
-906 ft
3h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.
Circular route to the south of Saint-Étienne
8.04 mi
+1,316 ft
-1,316 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
This easy route takes you up to higher ground, offering magnificent views of Rochetaillée, Saint-Étienne, Saint-Chamond and all the surrounding plains. Peace and quiet on the outskirts of Saint-Étienne. The scents fill the air and the scenery is magnificent.
Saint Étienne - the Gouffre d'Enfer - the dams
10.94 mi
+1,322 ft
-1,306 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
An extraordinary route starting from the town, 95% on paths, surprising and so beautiful. No difficulty. Head towards Rochetaillé via a path, then the Gouffre d'Enfer with its via ferrata and climbing walls, and finally the two dams that supply Saint-Etienne with drinking water. 2½ hours at a leisurely pace with two water stops. Returning via the peak (13) completes a circular route, but I recommend coming back via the path you took at the start of the hike, which is more pleasant and well-marked.
La Bachasse on the edge of the artificial lake at Grangent
2.96 mi
+463 ft
-479 ft
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Étienne (Loire)
An easy, mostly shaded walk with beautiful views of Lake Grangent at the start and the rest in the forest. The route is dotted with informative and entertaining signs about the flora and fauna. The site is currently being restored to a natural forest after being planted with Douglas firs in the last century. Ideal for family walks and/or hot weather.
Circular starting from Chambles
7.58 mi
+801 ft
-797 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Chambles (Loire)
Circular starting from the village of Chambles with beautiful views of the Loire Gorges, passing by the medieval Essalois Castle, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plain and the Monts du Forez.
Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams from Planfoy
5.98 mi
+781 ft
-781 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Car-free route: depart from Saint-Étienne Bellevue station, accessible by tram from Chateaucreux, and take the L14 regional bus towards Jonzieux. Get off at Planfoy Route du Bourg, paying attention to the timetable, especially on weekdays outside school holidays. It is best to travel in the morning.
Dams and forest around Planfoy
8.38 mi
+1,181 ft
-1,201 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
Circular hike to the Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams, built under Napoleon III using stone masonry.
Admire the height of the conifers growing in these forests. The nearby Col de la République, also known as Col du Grand Bois, lives up to its name.
The route is mainly through woodland and is not difficult. There is very little tarmac road (only at the start and finish).
Neyranche Woods Circular Trail
2.21 mi
+230 ft
-226 ft
1h 15
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
A short, easy circular path, perfect for hot summer’s days as it’s entirely through the forest.
In the Bois Farost
5.47 mi
+541 ft
-558 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Planfoy (Loire)
This is an easy, short hike, ideal for hot summer days as it is almost entirely in the woods. It allows you to discover the Bois Farost in the Pilat Regional Nature Park, with its many curiosities.
From Essalois to Les Camaldules
2.97 mi
+600 ft
-600 ft
1h 55
Moderate
Departure from Chambles (Loire)
This route through the Loire Gorges offers beautiful panoramic views.
Tour of the Sapt dam
4.52 mi
+217 ft
-226 ft
2h 15
Easy
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
A pleasant Sunday walk, very popular and enjoyable in good weather.
The Sapt Dam in Saint-Genest-Malifaux
10.93 mi
+1,001 ft
-1,004 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Genest-Malifaux (Loire)
An easy hike in the Pilat Natural Park, through beautiful forests of tall trees and along the shores of Lake Sapt in a mid-mountain setting. Ideal in summer as the walk is refreshing. The village of Saint-Genest-Malifaux is located at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and many of the paths are shaded by century-old trees.
Walk through the history of the Earth in Saint-Didier-en-Velay
2.91 mi
+374 ft
-285 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Didier-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
This is the story of a 4.7 km route representing the 4.7 billion years of our planet's history. One kilometre corresponds to one billion years and, therefore, one metre (one large step) to one million years. Based on this symbolism, 21 panels have been placed along the route. The location of each panel, and therefore the corresponding period, recounts a major event that changed the course of Earth's evolution. This route, which follows the paths of Saint-Didier-en-Velay, is designed to be fun, historical and original.
Plat de l'Orme via Bardonnanche
2.68 mi
+259 ft
-243 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from La Tour-en-Jarez (Loire)
Starting from La Tour-en-Jarez, this is a gentle walk along quiet roads and paths, ideal for families.
The Séauve-sur-Semène Water Trail
3.16 mi
+174 ft
-203 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from La Séauve-sur-Semène (Haute-Loire)
To mark World Water Day on 22 March, we suggest walking along the River Semène for half the route. You’ll notice a trout ladder along the way, allowing the fish to swim upstream to spawn at their birthplace. In Mathevard, on the site of a former weaving mill, you can also see a Napoleonic sundial with its decimal scale (a rare feature).
On the heights of La Talaudière and Sorbiers
5.11 mi
+659 ft
-676 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from La Talaudière (Loire)
A lovely, quick walk that is easily accessible from the centre of La Talaudière. Hilly but not difficult. Beautiful views of the Pilat massif and the heights of Sorbiers. Discover the castle and park of Sorbiers at the end of the walk.
Stroll along the Canal du Forez
6.25 mi
+23 ft
-23 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert (Loire)
An open-to-the-sky Sunday stroll in the sun Canal du Forez.
The Forez Canal and hamlets as seen from Étang David
7.72 mi
+381 ft
-381 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert (Loire)
A walk, partly along the Canal du Forez and through the countryside around Saint-Rambert. Minimal elevation gain. At the start of the route, there is a birdwatching post at Étang David. The hamlets of Razoux, Les Côtes, Noailleux and Cessieux. Viewpoints over the Forez plain.
Edit: to take the comment into account, 25 per cent of the route is on tarmac.- Currently (April 2025), Étang David is dry due to the eradication of invasive plants.
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