Massiac walks

To the north-east of the Cantal volcano, Massiac lies in a small basin formed by the Alagnon and its two tributaries: the Alagnonette and the Arcueil. From the top of the Plateau de Chalet, a basalt plateau, one of many left by volcanic flows in the landscape, there is a beautiful view over the valley.

The first slate-roofed houses, large pastures and isolated farms herald the end of the Brivadois forests and the beginning of the Cézallier summer pastures.

In search of the spring in the forest, this is a short but challenging hike that starts by following the Sianne valley and continues towards the hamlet of Chantejail through the woods that cover the ridges of the Pic du Chambon.

This walk takes in two iconic sites in the Alagnon Valley: the ruined Château d'Aurouze and its beautiful view over the valley, followed by the vineyard terraces (known in our valley as "Palhàs") of Molompize.

This walk, on small roads and paths between Cantal and Haute Loire, takes you through five villages and farms and offers superb views of the Livradois to the east and, above all, the Monts d'Auvergne (Cantal, Cézallier, Sancy and even Puy de Dôme) to the west from La Fage.

A hike to discover the site of Chadecol, inhabited 10,000 years ago by the first farmers and herders. A walk to admire the basalt columns of Chadecol, the Allagnon valley and the village of Blesle.

A walk through farmland and forests, along a stream, with views of the châteaux of Védrines, Vernassal and Léotoing.

This route allows you to admire the village of Léotoing and the ruins of its castle, and to discover the Alagnon valley, the Cézaliers mountains and the castle of Torsiac.

A discovery walk in Brioude, a small town in Auvergne boasting one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the region, the Basilica of Saint-Julien.

This circular path offers a continuous and exceptional panorama of the Allier valley. The path is made up of rounded stones, where you can sometimes see the tracks of the iron wheels of carts. Although today the landscape is a heath where bushes, broom and prickly pears grow, before the phylloxera attack it was an important vineyard. As you pass through the village of Chazieux and the old town of Saint-Ilpize, you will notice numerous wine cellars. Today, the vineyard is being revived. Vines are planted in the village of Auzat on the left bank and the old grape varieties are preserved in the vine conservatory located before the village of Chazieux.

A short walk around the church of Vieille-Brioude, in an open-air eco-museum dedicated to vines and wine, in the form of a succession of small priests' gardens.

Vergongheon is situated on a plateau overlooking the Allier valley. This is why fortified houses, topped with towers, were built in the villages of Rilhac and Lubières, enabling the monitoring of traffic in the valley. The remains of these structures can be seen in Rilhac and Lubières.

The route follows a variety of paths and landscapes, offering superb panoramic views of the Auvergne mountains, including the Puy de Dôme and the Allier valley. The trails lead to pastures, woods and streams.

Starting from Allevier, the route climbs through fields and villages, then enters the woods. Throughout the route, you will have a splendid view of the Sancy, Cézallier, Cantal and Margeride mountains.

A walk through woodland, vineyards, farmland and orchards in the plains and mountains of Livradois.

An easy hike with beautiful views, starting from the pretty village of Lavoûte, which will take you to the small village of Chilhac, equally beautiful with its narrow streets, museum and black lava rock formations that store heat and allow Mediterranean plants, rare in Auvergne, to grow.

An easy, short walk through woods, farmland and pastures, ideal for families. Climb the tower to enjoy a 360° panorama, with views of the Céréalier, the Livradois, and the peaks of Usson and Nonette. As you climb the tower, you will discover the remains of the ancient fortress and the villages it protected.

On this walk, you will discover both the landscapes of the volcanic mountains of western Auvergne and the small hamlets that bring life to these somewhat deserted areas.

This walk is a transition between the flat landscapes of the former mining basin and the forest landscapes of Livradois. It was from the woods of these forests that sapinières (single-use wooden boats) transported coal, wine and hemp to Paris.

This circular loop connects two beautiful villages via theGR®®470and small roads (see § Practical information). Added to this loop are a visit to Chilhac, a visit to the Sainte-Croix Priory, and a short loop on the heights of Lavoûte-Chilhac offering beautiful views.

A loop on the first hills of Livradois, to the knoll of La Grive and then to the Montfaucon rock, which overlooks the mining basin and offers a beautiful view of Nonette, Ysson, Montcelet, the Sancy massif and the Cézallier.