Menat walks

This trail takes you from hamlet to hamlet to discover the small-scale architectural heritage of this part of Auvergne, in the north of the Puy-de-Dôme: traditional houses with stepped gables, wells and drinking troughs, a former abbey in Menat and a medieval bridge over the Sioule.

Discover the hamlets of the Blot region and the superb lime trees that adorn their squares. The second part of this walk will take you to Château-Rocher, which overlooks the Sioule valley.

Tour of the Sep Joli dam with a view of it. A fairly easy hike between paths and forest. Not too crowded in July, mostly fishermen.

A perfect circle 700 m in diameter and approximately 66 m deep, the Gour de Tazenat is a crater lake or maar whose clear waters are home to a variety of aquatic fauna. A path through the undergrowth allows everyone to walk around it easily.

The Sioule River shapes the landscape of the Combrailles. Between valleys, wild gorges, forest paths and volcanic peaks offering magnificent views... here, it is the Queuille meander that takes our breath away with its strange tranquillity and perfect curves.

A forest walk in the foothills of the Combrailles leading to the "Pierre Branlante" site. Erosion has cleared away a block of granite, leaving it balanced on its side. According to legend, this block oscillates when touched by human hands.

A very pleasant walk in the oldest part of the Chaîne des Puys. The hamlet of Beaunit is nestled in the hollow of a volcanic maar that was occupied by a lake several hundred thousand years ago.

A hike between rivers and woodland hills, in the Combrailles region.

Since 1992, this pleasant walk has invited visitors to stroll among Gilles Perez's monumental contemporary lava stone sculptures, which blend in with the landscape and nature. Additional sculptures have been added over the years.

One of the favourite walks for locals, along a beautiful stream, through the woods, very close to the spa centre.

A short 8-shaped walk at the foot of Saint-Vincent de Chantelle Abbey.

The route takes walkers to the heights of Aigueperse and Chaptuzat, past fountains, wash houses, crosses and castles.

In Enval, the playful Ambène stream rises in the chestnut groves and offers dazzling views of the Château de Tournoël and the Chaîne des Puys in the distance. This site is classified as a natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest. This hike can be done in hot weather as it is very shaded.

A hike in a protected environment to discover the Volvic springs and Volvic stone, formed from molten lava. And why not take a little detour to Tournoël Castle?

Leaving the village of Pontaumur, you will discover the Sioulet, a tributary of the Sioule and a paradise for trout fishermen. The wild gorges will delight lovers of unspoilt nature.