The Gergovie Plateau from Opme

Park in the small car park at the bottom of the village of Opme, at the crossroads between Rue De Lattre-de-Tassigny and the D3.

Please note! This route is not signposted.

(S/E) Head back up towards the village and, before the castle, take the first street on the left, Rue des Basses (note the yellow disc markings on the right-hand side of the street, which the route follows to the Plateau de Gergovie). Continue to the end of the street, then turn left onto a grassy path that descends towards the D3.

(1) Cross the D3 and continue opposite on a wide grassy path. Continue on this path until you come back onto the D3 at the entrance to Jussat. Take the road on the right.

(2) Shortly afterwards, turn left onto Chemin de Rizolles, then, immediately afterwards, turn left again onto a path that turns into a trail. Further on, rejoin Chemin de Rizolles and follow it to the left. Continue straight on Rue Saint-Roch to cross the village of Jussat.

(3) At the end of the village, at Place de la Treille, turn left in front of the school onto a wide stony path. At the fork shortly afterwards, continue to the left.

(4) At the next fork, continue to the right. Further on, the path makes a sharp left turn, then a right turn.

(5) Shortly afterwards, ignore a path on the left and you will come to a road, the D800. Follow the road on the right until you reach a car park and a path on the left.

(6) Leave the yellow disc markings that go left and go straight up a path, following the small signposts marked "Tour du plateau". Arrive on the plateau at the west gate.

(7) Follow the path on the right and note the yellow butterfly markings (family walk) that our route follows to go around the plateau. Continue on this path with the road on your right and then on your left.

(8) Cross the road again at the picnic area and continue eastwards. Further on, follow the path that cuts across a meadow to reach the museum. Turn left onto the road, towards the monument erected in honour of Vercingétorix and the restaurant.

(9) Continue along the left side of the restaurant, still following the yellow butterfly markings. Shortly afterwards, the path veers left towards the west.

(10) Further on, ignore a path that descends to the right and continue straight ahead. The path heads south-southwest and joins the western gate of the plateau.

(7) Return to Opme via the same route as on the way out, following the yellow disc markings.

(6) Follow the road to the right, then turn left onto the path.

(5) Turn left and continue along this path to Jussat.

(3) Turn right onto the road to cross Jussat, then left onto the path at the end of the village. This will take you to the D3.

(2) Follow it on the right, then turn onto the wide path on the left to reach the bottom of the village of Opme.

(1) Head back up towards the village (S/E).

Moderate difficulty hike, standard hiking equipment required.

See reviews for an alternative return route (4)

The Plateau de Gergovie can be very crowded. The rest of the route is much quieter.
There is a picnic area at the point (8).
November 2016: the Plateau de Gergovie museum is closed for extension work.

See also in this area (trail and photos):
Gergovie, village and plateau

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

Opme Castle and its gardens.

Magnificent view from the Plateau de Gergovie: the Forez mountains to the east and the Chaîne des Puys overlooking Clermont-Ferrand to the west.