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Le Puy-en-Velay walks
Discovery tour of Le Puy-en-Velay and its monuments
Visorando Member
3.14 mi
+722 ft
-705 ft
2h 05
Easy
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
As you follow this route, discover Le Puy-en-Velay (the starting point of the Way of St James) and its monuments: the cathedral, Rocher Corneille and the Statue of Notre-Dame de France, the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, the cloister, the town hall, the theatre, the Crozatier Museum and the Henri-Vinay Garden.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Monastier-sur-Gazeille
11.65 mi
+1,919 ft
-938 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.
Chemin de Stevenson (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail)
158.68 mi
+22,723 ft
-24,337 ft
13 days
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Lavoûte via Chaspinhac and Saint-Quentin
12.39 mi
+1,985 ft
-2,188 ft
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
A very pleasant walk, fully signposted (Voie Verte in Le Puy, then the GR® Red and White trail). The village of Chaspinhac is well worth a visit, and Saint-Quentin is also a must-see. The route is often shaded, which can be very pleasant in summer.
The Way of St James. Stage 1. Puy-en-Velay / St Privat d'Allier
14.56 mi
+2,001 ft
-1,316 ft
8h 25
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
Twenty to thirty thousand walkers set out from Puy-en-Velay every year to do the pilgrimage along the Way of St. James. Discover the Way of St. James by doing the first stage by foot. You can return to Puy-en-Velay in the evening in a special coach.
On the Way of St James from Le Puy-en-Velay to Chanaleilles
35.71 mi
+4,216 ft
-2,694 ft
6 hrs
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
First stage of the Way of St James by bike, heading to Chanaleilles from Le Puy-en-Velay. This route follows the Way of St James, avoiding roads with traffic as much as possible and respecting pilgrims on foot. There are, however, a few technical sections that can be avoided by taking the road.
The Polignac Fortress
8.27 mi
+1,165 ft
-1,142 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
This loop between Aiguilhe and the village of Polignac, classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", combines sustained climbs, flat sections and fast descents. As you climb, it offers beautiful views of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and the Polignac Fortress perched on its volcanic hill. Return via the path along the Borne.
The Saint Joseph sanctuary via the Chemin de la Borne
7.74 mi
+909 ft
-919 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
A walk up the right bank of the Borne to reach the monumental statue of Saint Joseph, at the foot of which you will be utterly surprised to discover the panoramic view of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and its surroundings.
Mont Denise
4.57 mi
+1,004 ft
-988 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Puy-en-Velay (Haute-Loire)
Starting from Le Puy-en-Velay, this route takes you to the summit of the volcanic Mont Denise. From the top, there is a breathtaking view of the Polignac fortress, the town of Le Puy and, in the background, the Mézenc massif.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Privat-d'Allier
15.52 mi
+2,172 ft
-1,270 ft
9h 00
Difficult
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
Sixteenth stage of the Way of St James. From Le Puy-en-Velay to the picturesque village of Saint-Privat-d’Allier, don’t forget to look back and admire the view of the Marian city. Once you arrive in Saint-Privat-d’Allier, you’ll look out over the impressive Gorges de l’Allier and its still-wild river.
Crossing the Velay region and its fields of lentils, as well as the Devès mountain range, is on the itinerary for this stage.
Le Puy-en-Velay, a City of Art and History
4.64 mi
+702 ft
-699 ft
2h 45
Moderate
Departure from Aiguilhe (Haute-Loire)
Le Puy-en-Velay is a crossroads for several long-distance hiking trails such as theGR®70, the Stevenson Trail, theGR®3Loire Trail, theGR®700, the Regordane Trail and, of course, the Way of St James. As soon as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, you can already sense the significant influence that religion has had on the town.
Le Puy-en-Velay marks my first rest day after 15 days of walking on my Way of St James
I discovered a town of Art and History, famous for its lace, its green lentils, its verbena, but above all for its incredible religious heritage.
The Shepherd's Huts Trail
3.46 mi
+735 ft
-738 ft
2h 15
Moderate
Departure from Vals-près-le-Puy (Haute-Loire)
Discover the Chibottes Valley, a site classified as a landscape of outstanding beauty since 8 March 2016. These small dry stone huts, built from stones cleared from the plots of land, were used as shelters by shepherds and farmers who cultivated orchards and terraced vineyards (known as "chambées").
This trail forms a loop, partly following the Way of St James on the way back.
The wild Loire from Coubon via the Serre de la Fare
8.82 mi
+1,188 ft
-1,178 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Coubon (Haute-Loire)
This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.
Towards the rebirth of the Château de Saint-Vidal
5.90 mi
+935 ft
-935 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Polignac (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
A walk offering numerous and varied views of a key part of the Haute-Loire's heritage: the fortress of Saint-Vidal.
Saint Quentin, a renovated hamlet overlooking the Loire Gorges
6.57 mi
+853 ft
-853 ft
3h 45
Easy
Departure from Chaspinhac (Haute-Loire)
This tour of part of the Chaspinhac plateau offers numerous views of the Puy en Velay basin, Mont Bar and the Loire Gorges. It is an opportunity to discover Saint Quentin, a hamlet abandoned for more than fifty years that enthusiasts have restored and brought back to life in the summer months with exhibitions, shows or simply by sharing a drink.
The Chemin des Sources in Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison
5.93 mi
+246 ft
-243 ft
2h 55
Easy
Departure from Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison (Haute-Loire)
Starting from the pretty little village of Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison, this easy, undemanding hike leads across the plateau through farmland and pastureland to the pretty hamlets of Tallobre, Eycenac and Dolaison. Water is plentiful here, with streams flowing down towards Le Puy-en-Velay. The end of the route is on the GR®65 (Way of St James).
The villages of La Blache and Le Riou
4.26 mi
+525 ft
-525 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Malrevers (Haute-Loire)
This route takes you on a discovery of the villages of Riou, with its wash house, and La Blache, with its bread oven. It also offers beautiful views of the Emblavez plain and the rounded or slightly pointed hills known locally as "les knolls".
The Beaume Waterfall
6.81 mi
+768 ft
-764 ft
3h 50
Moderate
Departure from Solignac-sur-Loire (Haute-Loire)
An easy walk through the countryside around Solignac-sur-Loire. Ideal for autumn, when the days are getting shorter, or for a half-day outing. The waterfall is well worth a visit, especially after rain, as is the passage under the Baume.
Loop starting from Solignac-sur-Loire
5.90 mi
+469 ft
-479 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Solignac-sur-Loire (Haute-Loire)
A very beautiful walk, with views in all directions over the peaks of the Haute-Loire. An easy hike, although there is a slightly uneven descent at the end of the route, requiring good footwear.
Views of the Château de Lavoûte-sur-Loire and the Fortress of Polignac
8.25 mi
+1,047 ft
-1,047 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Blanzac (Haute-Loire)
This beautiful hike offers, in turn, a bird's eye view of the Château de Lavoûte-sur-Loire along the banks of the Loire, a distant view of the Château de Polignac and, finally, the discovery of two shepherd's huts in the heart of a vineyard that has almost disappeared.
Circular route starting from Chadron
6.00 mi
+715 ft
-689 ft
3h 25
Easy
Departure from Chadron (Haute-Loire)
An easy hike with magnificent 360° views of the Haute Loire.
Beaume Waterfall
1.33 mi
+220 ft
-220 ft
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Solignac-sur-Loire (Haute-Loire)
Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.
The Loire Gorges from Onzillon
8.45 mi
+1,227 ft
-1,240 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Chadron (Haute-Loire)
This route, which takes you up the Loire Gorges for several kilometres, follows a few unmarked paths in a wild and unspoilt environment. Several descents to the banks of the Loire are possible (swimming, fishing) and are indicated in the description. The return via the plateau offers beautiful views.
The Corbœuf Ravine
3.54 mi
+397 ft
-397 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Rosières (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
The first part of the route follows an old railway line that has been converted into a very wide carriageway. It continues with a tour of the small heritage sites (old bread oven and wash house) in the hamlet of Chastel. Finally, at the end of the route, when the trees open up, there is a view over the unusual Corbœuf ravine.
Rosières and the Étang de la Plaine
4.51 mi
+630 ft
-633 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Rosières (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
This walk is an opportunity to discover the natural and historical heritage around the village of Rosières, particularly the Étang de la Plaine lake.
This hike was created for the ECHO project, which ended on 1 October 2023. It is still possible to do the hike to discover the heritage.
⚠️ 13 October 2025: GPS strongly recommended for this hike.
The Mont tour
2.77 mi
+302 ft
-308 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (Haute-Loire)
In Haute-Loire, in the "midlands" of Auvergne, starting from Le Monastier sur Gazeille, take a walk in the French "highlands", as R. L. Stevenson called them in 1878 when he stayed in Le Monastier before embarking on his journey that took him to Saint-Jean du Gard in 12 days with his donkey Modestine.
More walks in Le Puy-en-Velay
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