The Alagnon Gorges and the Buron de Belles Aigues

A relaxing walk through the heart of the forest, following a path that runs alongside the Alagnon, dotted with amusing sculptures. Next, a visit to the Buron de Belles Aigues mountain pastures (Maison du Buronnier), which can be visited, is a must.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.05 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 420 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 417 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,560 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,166 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

To reach the start point from Fraisse Haut, follow Rue de l’Alagnon towards Buron de Belles Aigues – Maison du Buronnier and head to a car park just before a bridge at a sharp right-hand bend.

(S/E) From the car park, walk down the road for a few metres and take the track branching off to the left. Head towards the banks of the Alagnon.

(1) Continue along the path running alongside the river. Painted animal silhouettes indicate the direction, and the route is dotted with sculptures. After crossing several footbridges, you’ll reach a fork.

(2) Continue straight on for a round trip to the end of the path.

(3) Return to the previous fork.

(2) On your return, turn right and, after a steep climb, reach the edge of the woods. Turn right and follow the edge of the woods to the Buron de Belles Aigues.

(4) Continue straight ahead, pass under the power line and join a road (with little traffic).

(5) Follow it downhill to the left, pass under the railway viaduct and reach the car park (start/finish).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,287 ft - Car park before a bridge
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 3,179 ft - Alagnon (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.63 - alt. 3,245 ft - Return junction
  4. 3 : mi 0.77 - alt. 3,317 ft - End of the Gorges Trail
  5. 4 : mi 1.2 - alt. 3,524 ft - Buron de Belles Aigues
  6. 5 : mi 1.33 - alt. 3,560 ft - Route
  7. S/E : mi 2.05 - alt. 3,287 ft - Car park before a bridge

Notes

The Buron de Belles Aigues is home to the Maison du Buronnier.

The route is mostly shaded.

The route taken is the old road that linked Le Lioran.

Worth a visit

Maison du Buronnier. The buron houses a small museum tracing the production of Cantal cheese during the summer grazing season. Open during the summer months with a refreshment bar, tastings, sales of regional products and guided tours (by booking) from May to October. Contact: Karine Brives on 06 62 26 17 97.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 21530545

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in February (snow-covered on the Buron plateau).
Beautiful views (Alagnon, Buron, viaduct).

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Scandilau
Scandilau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, shaded by trees on these very hot days (30°C). The route is well signposted, clear and fun, running alongside the water for the first half with picnic spots, and after a slightly steep climb, there is a very interesting visit to the buron (10am-6pm). We even saw two chamois, a mother and her kid.
For the three small car parks, follow the signs for the buron.

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Liloufi
Liloufi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, wooded walk at the bottom of the gorges, along the Alagnon.
Look out for sculptures and paintings depicting animals – a great activity for the little ones.
Explore the Passadou viaduct, both from below and from above.
You can stop off at the Buron des Belles Aigues, a beautiful spot in the middle of the meadows.

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celia colle
celia colle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this lovely walk, especially the final stretch from point 4. 🌼
Up to point 2, the walk is lined with bridges and wooden sculptures; point 3 leads down to the water’s edge. From point 2, the climb isn’t very long but is steep; once at the top, you walk along the edge of the woods and the meadow to the buron, from point 5 to the start of the descent along a shaded road.

🛑 Dogs are not allowed from the top of the climb at point 2, as we enter a meadow with a herd of cows!

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