Mont Mézenc

Discover Mont Mézenc and its two peaks and take a detour to admire the Cirque des Boutières.

Details

57906
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.26 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,024 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,037 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,751 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,905 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park at the Croix de Peccata on the D274.

(S/E) Head south-east up the forest road until you reach a fork.

(1) Continue along the path through the woods, then leave the forest and join another path.

(2) Ignore thefirst hairpin bend on the right and follow the road that climbs to the right until the next junction (sign).

(3) Go up to the left and follow the well-marked route towards the northern summit of Mont Mézenc (cross).

(4) Descend and head south.

(5) At the four-way intersection, turn left to reach the eastern viewpoint.

(6). Then head to the western viewpoint (the highest peak).

(7) Go back down to the four-way intersection.

(5) Continue left until you reach the intersection you already passed (sign).

(3) Head straight ahead towards "Croix de Boutières" (south-southwest) by following the same route you took on the way up and reach the next crossroads.

(2) Leave the route you have already taken and turn left towards the south. The path then descends through the woods.

(8) When you reach the Col de la Croix de Boutières, take a detour to the left towards the orientation table (200 m along the road) to get an idea of the "Cirque". Then return to the pass.

(8) Take the path that climbs next to the "Partage des Eaux" sign. Follow it (south) uphill to a first viewpoint on the left, then to a promontory where you can see the Cirque des Boutières in its entirety with a view of the Mézenc on the left.
Then retrace your steps back to the pass.

(8) Cross the road and take the wide lane on the left into the forest. At the edge of the woods, turn right and follow the path, passing close to the Source de la Gazeille.

(9) Continue straight ahead and rejoin the road 200 m from the car park. Follow the road along the forest path on the right (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,151 ft - Parking at the Croix de Peccata - Lignon du Velay (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.23 - alt. 5,220 ft - Continue along the path through the woods.
  3. 2 : mi 0.71 - alt. 5,482 ft - Follow the path that climbs up to the right.
  4. 3 : mi 0.81 - alt. 5,581 ft - At the next junction (sign), go up to the left.
  5. 4 : mi 0.96 - alt. 5,725 ft - Cross of Mont Mézenc
  6. 5 : mi 1.14 - alt. 5,666 ft - Take the path on the left.
  7. 6 : mi 1.28 - alt. 5,709 ft - Then head to the western viewpoint.
  8. 7 : mi 1.41 - alt. 5,748 ft - Mont Mézenc
  9. 8 : mi 2.79 - alt. 4,948 ft - Col de la Croix de Boutières (1502m)
  10. 9 : mi 4.19 - alt. 4,974 ft - Source de la - Gazeille (rivière)
  11. S/E : mi 5.26 - alt. 5,151 ft - Parking at the Croix de Peccata

Notes

Bring a windbreaker, especially if it's cool.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 61 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 3475306

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

easy walk with beautiful views

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Fournier A.
Fournier A.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful scenery and plenty of views.
The route is easy to follow.

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User 19921317

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The path leading up to Mezenc is pleasant, particularly if you avoid the weekend crowds.
The view from the pass and the information about the volcano, which dates back 8 million years, add to the appeal.

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JPBellocq
JPBellocq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The view of the peaks is magnificent. It was a good idea to head back via the other car park and then walk along the edge of the forest.
Avoid Sundays and public holidays – it’s absolutely packed (there are even coaches!). Fortunately, it’s a vast area.

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User 12760992

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

By starting early, you will have peace and quiet.
No major difficulties for hikers, easy path to follow.
I had clear weather, which was truly sublime.

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Dorando
Dorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is well signposted, so it's impossible to get lost.
Very popular route.
There are numerous sections through woodland, which are very pleasant in this hot weather.

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User 8925496

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, very pleasant on a warm summer's day. The route description is reliable.

A very varied route (woodland, rocky paths, fields) with breathtaking views from the peaks.

The alternative route to admire the Cirque de Boutieres (stage 8) is quick and well worth the detour.

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henro
henro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

pleasant route, the facilities are very useful given how busy it is.

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Francine84
Francine84

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note! A prefectural decree prohibits access to the forest leading to the Croix de Boutières from 2 June to 11 July 2025 due to logging and fallen trees. Barriers and signs block the path southwards from point 2. The loop cannot therefore be completed in its entirety for the time being.

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JACQUELET Claude
JACQUELET Claude

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short hike made easy by recent improvements that protect the site. Exceptional views in a legendary location.

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Alain2607
Alain2607

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with crampons because the snow was frozen
Very beautiful 360° view from the summit

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GODEFROY
GODEFROY

That's perfect if it's signposted. There were 10 of us when I suggested this hike, so we had to go for it...
Thanks to those who marked it.

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Christian de la HV
Christian de la HV

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The trail is already signposted from the start by the tourist office, so follow the signs for "sommet du mont Mézenc (cross)" from the car park at the Peccata cross, where parking is very difficult in summer.

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Perret Christian
Perret Christian

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy hike with beautiful scenery.

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le dd
le dd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with no technical difficulties. At the summit, there is a 360° view, including the Alps with Mont Blanc, the Cantal and Sancy mountain ranges, and even the Puy de Dôme.
An orientation table allows you to see the highest peaks in the Alps.
Thanks to the author.

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