Massif central walks

A hiking trail in the Auvergne summer pastures, on a summit overlooking the spa resort of La Bourboule.

A fairly conventional circuit that lets walkers admire the Cirque de Navacelles and hike in the gorges of La Vis. The ruins of the Moulins de la Foux are the ultimate goal of the hike, with beautiful explanations of these water mills and on the underground portion of the screw, not yet fully explored.

Discover the dolomitic cirque of Mourèze, shaped by erosion, with exceptional views of the Lac du Salagou and the Mediterranean coast. This hike may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

A beautiful hike in the heart of the Ardèche Gorges, during which you will:- descend a valley, follow the river along a path equipped with cables and ladders for a short section. Cirques, cliffs, small caves, rocks, needles, rapids, sandy or pebble beaches follow one after another. Many birds inhabit the cliffs.- climb back up another beautiful valley, offering some stunning views of the gorges and their meanders, to reach the plateau.

Discover a particularly interesting wood above the town of Les Vans.Comments about this route: I did this route in 2013, and it turns out that some signs have been added since then (signposts and probably markings), which is to be expected. Hikers can then explore other trails but will always find something unique and interesting in this remarkable wood, with no chance of getting lost.

From Valleraugue, take the famous 4000-step trail that climbs up to the Mont-Aigoual observatory. To complete the loop, follow theGR®6for a long descent through the forest towards Aire de Côte, before finishing with a crossing of the chestnut grove above the hamlet of Berthezène.

A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

Perhaps the most beautiful walk along the Causse Méjean, which traditionally starts out from Le Rozier. Here, by starting on the cliff top, there is less vertical drop, as you stay between 870 and 720m the whole way. As well as breath-taking scenery, you can see vultures circling above you and even below you on the cliffs!

This tour around Minerve has it all! The natural bridges of the Cesse, the heath, the aerial passages of the Gorges du Brian and, of course, the cobbled streets of the town. 31/05/2024 hike modified at point (4): Follow the concrete track (yellow markings) and NOT the PR® marked on the IGN base map, which is now a prohibited PRIVATE PROPERTY where wood has been felled. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

An easy hike up Puy Pariou and down into its crater. A very pleasant forest at the start and end of the route, with beautiful views of Puy de Dôme on the way back. (3) It is forbidden to descend into the volcano or go all the way round it.

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

The Cirque de l'Infernet is a gigantic natural wall. Its impressive cliffs enclose the upper part of the Val de Gellone. Between these walls and the Verdus, scree from another time forms impressive slopes. To get to the 'Max Nègre' viewpoint, you'll have to follow a route used by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. It passes through a splendid structure called "Les Fenestrelles". Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the Fenestrettes PR® has been affected, as has the Route d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult

A wander among the underbrush along the Couze Pavin, from bank to bank, flowing in cascades.

This trail is a marvel exploring the Saut de Vezoles and its lake with spectacular amenities.

From Col du chatoux (or col du Chêne), this hike goes through woods along the ridge line offering wonderful views: -over the Saône and eastern Beaujolais valleys - over Azergues Valley to the west.

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

This short hike will give you a change of scenery in record time. Keep your eyes and ears open, but wear good shoes. On the plateau, you might even be able to see the sea. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the PR® des Fenestrettes has been affected, as has the voie d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

A Grand Tour of the beautiful and mysterious Lac Pavin, passing by the Puy de Montchal and the Creux de Soucy chasm.

Four new footbridges to span the canyon. They replace the ford crossings, which are often submerged by the Dourdou.

The high point of Basse-Ardèche, this promontory (719 m) offers a beautiful panorama of the Cévennes, Mont Lozère, the Alps, the Baronnies, Mont Ventoux and the Ridge of Montmirail.

This beautiful circular route from Duerne takes you along well-marked paths and tracks, often shaded, to discover the varied landscapes of this little-known part of the Monts du Lyonnais. A small stele by the side of the road commemorates the sacrifice of the American pilots who crashed there in 1944. At the end of the route, before heading back up towards Duerne, you can discover the astonishing remains of the Roman Aqueduct on the Brévenne.

A route starting at a hilltop village, Saint-Laurent-sous-Coiron, with a wonderful, panoramic 180° view over the Ardèche mountains and plains, from Villeneuve de Berg to the Col de l'Escrinet (the Cham du Cros, Rocher d’Abraham, Montagne Sainte-Marguerite, Mont Lozère). In addition, educational panels depicting the history, geology and life on the Coiron adorn this hike.

A beautiful walk, without major difficulty and well marked, that takes you through scrubland and forests, cliffs and limestone plateaus.

A splendid medieval village, a hermit and his cave, a valley in the limestone hills and the views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Ventoux. Prepare yourself for a nice, family-friendly hike, which will suit everyone.

This is a beautiful walk, partly along the river, then leading to the exceptional site of La Maladrerie opposite the Cirque de la Madeleine. The remains of an ancient monastery, probably dating from the 12th century, with improbable origins. Reality or Templar myth? Be sure to follow the yellow markings on the ground between (6) and (7). Avoid this route when the Ardèche is in high water. To find out the height and flow of the water: https://www.rdbrmc.com/hydroreel2/statio...

The three châteaux in Quincié-en-Beaujolais are well worth a visit. What's more, you'll pass through a highly varied landscape of vineyards, forests and meadows. The three châteaux trail is very well signposted and offers 4 variants of varying lengths.

An easy walk to enjoy as a family. Very popular in summer, it is worth the detour to admire the panoramic view over the Alps and the summits of Mont Blanc, the Lyonnais mountains and the Giers valley, the Vercors massif and those of northern Vivarais. With a wealth of flowers in spring, you can gather bilberries in August and raspberries in September. Unless you choose to go ski touring or cross-country skiing here in winter.

This trail winds through the heart of a listed site, rich in natural, geological and scenic discoveries. Leaving the village, the trail winds through the vineyards, climbs through the fragrant heath and reaches the impressive cliffs of the Pic de Vissou. This pleasant route offers many geological curiosities and, in particular, an amazing view of the Estabel terrace. In the background, the silhouette of Vissou serves as a landmark during this walk full of surprises. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Be sure to check the map.

This beautiful route climbs up the fabulous Orb Gorges to the village of Vieussan and then heads back into the thick scrubland that covers the western slope of the Ayrolle summit. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

The highest peak in Europe's largest volcanic complex, the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m) offers unobstructed views of the Monts-Dore (Puy-de-Sancy) to the north and the Cézallier and Aubrac plateaus to the south.

View and passage through two villages isolated from the main roads, featuring beautiful stone houses. This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

An interesting hike due to its diversity: peat bogs, volcanic lakes, chasms and, depending on the season, a few orchids between (6) and (7).

Wonderful hike in Burgundy to discover "Solutré" (a landmark) and the "Rock of Vergisson”.

Loop trail starting from Yzeron, through varied landscapes. The trail passes around the small dam lake at the foot of Yzeron and then, at the end of the hike, along the Lac d'Yzeron, whose new facilities were inaugurated on 19/07/14.

A beautiful circular walk starting from the village of Yzeron, alternating between forest paths and clear views of Lyon and the Alps. In good weather, there is an exceptional view of the Alps: you can easily recognise Mont Blanc, the Belledonne massif, the Chartreuse, the Vercors and even (for those in the know) the Meije! Part of the route follows the old (buried) aqueduct of Yzeron, which supplied Lyon with water in Gallo-Roman times (there are very informative signs along the route).

A walk to discover vultures in the cliffs of the Jonte. Please note that the elevation gain calculated automatically by the app is incorrect; it is only about 600 m.

From the Roussières departmental estate to the prehistoric village of Cambous, this route takes you on a journey of discovery through Neolithic sites (tombs, dolmens, village) and the Termenou fountain, following ancient drovers' roads (paths used by sheep during transhumance). Crossing varied landscapes, ridges, undergrowth and meadows where asphodels abound in April, this hike also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Pic Saint-Loup, the Hortus and the Cévennes. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk. Remember to check the map.

A journey through both geological time and history, exploring the medieval village of Sauve and the chaos of the Mer des Rochers.

One of the most beautiful routes in the Vans region, both in terms of scenery and heritage. Balcony paths, chestnut groves and drying rooms, a gold-bearing river, low walls and beehives carved into chestnut tree trunks: everything invites you to discover this enclave of the Ardèche and its hamlets, which were once only accessible on foot. Be careful, there are steep and very steep ascents and descents. Allow 5 hours for the route, plus extra time for wandering around.

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.

A very nice circuit around the Monts du Lyonnais to explore the climbing area at Py Froid.

This walk takes place entirely within the "Les Causses et les Cévennes" site, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Navacelles, you climb up the Gorges de la Vis to its resurgence. After visiting the Moulins de la Foux, the return journey halfway up the southern slope of the Causse de Blandas offers spectacular views of the Gorges de la Vis and the Cirque de Navacelles. You have to walk in the Cirque de Navacelles at least once in your life, that's all there is to it! Don't think twice: just go!

A trip to highest point of the Massif Central.

A magnificent hike, without any great difficulty, which will take you through the Parc des Volcans north of the Puy de Dôme. You will discover the Sarcoui and its cave, the Puy des Goules, the Puy de Côme, the Cliersou and its caves, the Petit and Grand Knolls, and the grandiose Puy Pariou. At the top of each puy, you can enjoy 360° views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme, the Limagne plain and Clermont-Ferrand.

A short half-day tour to discover the Cèze and the medieval village of Montclus.

This hike will take you to the heights of the Massif du Sancy where, on a clear day, you will have a 360° view of the Chaîne des Puys, the Banne d'Ordanche, the Sancy, the Monts du Cantal, the Mont-Dore resort and Chastreix. This route crosses the Chastreix-Sancy and/or Chaudefour Valley nature reserves. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, except on theGR® 30 marked trails. Mountain biking, picking and camping are prohibited. Please stay on the marked trails.

A beautiful and very varied hike. On the agenda are three caves, including the "illuminated" cave, a lavogne, a beautiful natural arch and the famous canalettes (or canoles). ⚠️20/10/2025: The Canalettes fault site is closed annually from 1 October to 30 November by municipal decree.

Family hike starting from the village of Balazuc. For children, there is a small, safe cave to visit and a walk along the water's edge. Easy route, mostly signposted but a little rocky in places.