The Beaver Trail, Allier Nature Reserve

A round trip on the Sentier aménagé des Castors (Beaver Trail) from Moulins, along the banks of the Allier.

Details

2718925
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.46 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 108 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 105 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 715 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 673 ft

Description of the walk

On the left bank of the Allier, at the Pont Régemortes roundabout, follow the D2009 towards Clermont, then immediately take the first street on the left, Chemin de Halage. Park in the car park on the left side of the street.

Signposting for the Chemin des Castors (except for the return trip from the Pont de Fer)

(S/E) From the southern end of the car park, follow the path (Via Allier) between the street and the motorhome area, then, when the street turns right, continue on the Sentier des Castor, which goes straight ahead.

(1) Make a round trip, via a staircase on the right, to the Pont de Fer, which offers a viewpoint over the Allier. Retrace your steps.

(1) Continue along the Sentier des Castors, which soon approaches the Allier.

(2) Cross the Ruisseau des Veines, which flows into the river here. Continue between the field and the river.

(3) Turn left to enter the undergrowth.

(4) Pass an abandoned military vehicle.

(5) Follow the path that turns right opposite a boire (a side arm of the river). It joins a field and then immediately re-enters the undergrowth.

(6) Cross a footbridge, pass several observation points, then return to the banks of the Allier.

(7) Take the path that veers away from the river again, continuing between fields and woods and then into the undergrowth. You will arrive at the edge of another watering hole.

(8) Continue along the path, which soon rejoins the banks of the Allier, then continue between fields and the river.

(9) Pass a beautiful poplar tree, which marks the end of this hike (the Sentier des Castors continues a little further, but here it leaves the riverbank and stays in the fields).
Return to the car park (S/E) by retracing your steps.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 679 ft - Parking on the towpath - Allier (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 696 ft - Round trip to the Iron Bridge
  3. 2 : mi 1.47 - alt. 682 ft - Ruisseau des Veines
  4. 3 : mi 1.83 - alt. 686 ft - Undergrowth
  5. 4 : mi 2.08 - alt. 686 ft - Abandoned military vehicle
  6. 5 : mi 2.38 - alt. 686 ft - Drink
  7. 6 : mi 2.67 - alt. 689 ft - Footbridge
  8. 7 : mi 3.24 - alt. 686 ft - Banks of the Allier
  9. 8 : mi 4.2 - alt. 689 ft - Drink
  10. 9 : mi 4.57 - alt. 699 ft - Poplar
  11. S/E : mi 8.46 - alt. 679 ft - Parking on the towpath

Notes

Hike of moderate difficulty, leaning towards easy. Standard hiking equipment required. I have not tried this route in winter, so I do not know if it is possible in the event of high water levels.
Alternative parking on the right bank, just across the Iron Bridge: cross the Iron Bridge and follow the description in (1).

Worth a visit

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

Some photos here

The digital file for this hike is available here

Site managed by the LPO Auvergne

Information about the Pont de Fer here

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
daubigney
daubigney

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Starting from the Moulins bridge, the route follows the River Allier.
Upstream, the pedestrian iron bridge offers a commanding view of the river. You can have a picnic at the tables just past the end of the Via Allier. The Beaver Trail ends at a convex bend.
The return journey follows the same route without crossing the iron bridge.

Machine-translated

ABON03
ABON03

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Machine-translated

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