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Montusclat walks
The Gagne and its tributaries from Montusclat
Visorando Member
10.43 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,296 ft
5h 55
Moderate
Departure from Montusclat (Haute-Loire)
The route starts from the very pretty village of Montusclat and winds its way along the hillsides, crossing several tributaries of the Gagne. It crosses this river twice near Saint-Front before reaching the plateau, which offers stunning views of the Mézenc Massif and, weather permitting, the Alps. It ends with a descent through meadows back to Montusclat.
The Grand Testavoyre
10.27 mi
+1,608 ft
-1,591 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Champclause (Haute-Loire)
This circuit takes you to the summit of the Grand Testavoyre (pronounced testa-wouaire), the highest point of the Meygal. From up there, you can see the entire massif, dotted with numerous conical peaks.
Another highlight of this hike is discovering the rural heritage, in particular the typical houses of the hamlet of Villaret and the false church of Monedeyres.
Tour de la Tortue and the Calvary of the Croix de l'Étoile
6.96 mi
+1,053 ft
-1,066 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Champclause (Haute-Loire)
This circular walk starting from the pretty village of Boussoulet and its stunning church is an easy walk. Passing through a beautiful forest, beneath the summit of La Tortue, you will arrive at another pretty village in the Haute-Loire, Montusclat. From this village, you can start a second circular route that will take you to the remarkable Way of the Cross and the Calvary of the Croix de l’Étoile. Return via a pleasant valley.
Panoramic walk on the Bigorre plateau
4.99 mi
+558 ft
-584 ft
2h 45
Easy
Departure from Saint-Front (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
This easy hike, which allows you to discover the very pretty village of Bigorre and its 17 thatched cottages, offers numerous views of the region and its diverse landscapes.
Balcony walk around Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
6.68 mi
+1,270 ft
-1,270 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This short hike allows you to discover hamlets overlooking Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, a few mills, bread ovens, Béates houses, a thatched cottage... all in a variety of environments (meadows, short grass, coniferous and beech forests...). Most of the route is in open country.
The Gagne hillsides from Bournac
3.33 mi
+650 ft
-643 ft
2h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Front (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
A short walk that circles the Bournac massif and offers views over much of the Gagne Gorges. The route is quite unspoilt, with many sections through woodland, making it very pleasant in hot weather. It makes a lovely addition to a visit to the hamlet of Bigorre, a village of thatched cottages situated nearby.
The Sumène, in the heart of the Meygal, as seen from Le Villaret
8.11 mi
+1,319 ft
-1,319 ft
4h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This route circles the upper Sumène basin, situated in the Meygal massif. It runs mainly through woodland and uses only a few short stretches of road. On several occasions, it follows paths that are neither signposted nor mapped by the IGN.
The two knolls and Jules Romains
7.76 mi
+1,355 ft
-1,355 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
The route passes in front of Jules Romains' house and takes you up to two knolls facing each other above the Sumène valley, Mont Rouge and Peyre de Bard. It allows you to explore part of the Pays des Sucs in a circular route.
The forgotten paths of Meygal
6.02 mi
+1,316 ft
-1,289 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
Discover the Meygal massif via little-used, unmarked paths, some of which are not shown on maps. The route runs mostly through woodland and skirts the hamlets of Monedeyres and Boussoulet without entering them.
A physically easy hike, but only suitable for walkers who can find their way and recognise at least the main tree species (fir, conifers, beech, hazel).
Panoramic views around Saint-Front
7.31 mi
+646 ft
-633 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Front (Haute-Loire) (Haute-Loire)
This peaceful route starting from Saint-Front allows you to enjoy the contrast between the steep-sided valleys of La Gagne, the Machabert stream and the tributary of the Aubépin on one side, and the gently sloping Mézenc plateau with its sweeping views on the other.
Le Meygal and Pic du Lisieux from Monedeyres
14.28 mi
+3,074 ft
-3,058 ft
9h 15
Difficult
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
This route is a pleasant way to spend a hot summer's day, with numerous viewpoints (Forez, Pilat, Alps, Mézenc) and climbs through the forest. In particular, it allows you to fully enjoy the unique relief of the massif, with its very numerous knolls. A refreshing stop in Recharinges (fountain, bar) allows you to tackle the final climb in the best possible conditions.
The Meygal tour
8.14 mi
+1,257 ft
-1,253 ft
4h 50
Easy
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
This hike, in the heart of the Meygal forest, is ideal in the heat of summer. It offers beautiful views, especially from the summit of Testavoyre, where you can look out over the Meygal mountains.
The Côtes de Gagne from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
11.29 mi
+1,585 ft
-1,555 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This route offers views over the wild gorges of the Gagne valley from La Pradette to the hamlet of Villard, as the valley floor is impassable. There are numerous viewpoints and minimal passage through undergrowth. This route is therefore ideal in spring and autumn, with only very hot summer days to be avoided.
Le Knoll de Chapteuil from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
4.04 mi
+791 ft
-801 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
This is an easy hike that offers beautiful views of the Saint-Julien basin and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Seigneur de Chapteuil. There are very few sections on small roads. This is a great hike if you have friends who are not used to hiking; they will come back delighted!
Loop around Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
4.73 mi
+423 ft
-417 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (Haute-Loire)
A short, easy walk. Beautiful scenery throughout, and two pretty villages (Le Betz and Auteyrac) with beautifully restored houses. Also worth seeing is the Betz Observatory.
Pic du Lizieux and the Meygal Massif
13.19 mi
+2,257 ft
-2,280 ft
8h 00
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
At the summit of the ancient volcanoes between Pic du Lizieux and the Meygal Massif.
A breath of fresh air in the vast Meygal Forest Massif.
Loop between Le Meygal and Queyrières
5.24 mi
+1,001 ft
-1,004 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
Short loop starting from the Meygal Forest. After crossing the forest, a balcony path with beautiful views of the surrounding knolls leads you to the village of Queyrières, which is topped by a remarkable basalt dyke. After crossing the village of Monedeyres, you climb back up through pleasant undergrowth.
The Pic du Lizieux
2.83 mi
+581 ft
-571 ft
1h 50
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A short hike, accessible to children in all seasons, to discover a 360° panorama from the summit of Pic du Lizieux (1388m): the Lignon valley to the north, the Monts du Vivarais to the east, Mont Mezenc to the south, Meygal to the west and, beyond, the Pilat Massif, Mont Blanc, etc.
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Promenade des Frères Perrel
1.59 mi
+105 ft
-89 ft
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Moudeyres (Haute-Loire)
A very short walk between the thatched village of Moudeyres, its eco-museum, the Ferme des Frères Perrel, and the heights of the Aubépin valley.
Queyrères - Le Puy-en-Velay
17.34 mi
+1,096 ft
-2,867 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Queyrières (Haute-Loire)
Fifteenth stage of the Way of St James. In the heart of the Meygal, Queyrières, a village in the Haute-Loire department, stands beside its basalt rock. From there, you begin the descent towards Le Puy-en-Velay, passing through Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and its mills that once lined the Sumène. A gentle end to the route with a leisurely finish as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, a major pilgrimage site.
Via Gebennensis - Pic du Lizieux - Knoll des Testavoyre
11.73 mi
+2,402 ft
-2,398 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
The route follows the Via Gebennensis (GR®65-GR®430) to near Les Araules.
Next, discover the Pic du Lizieux and its orientation table, which offers a 360° panorama.
The hike continues along the Bonas discovery trail, then joins Arnissac to pass through Pic Testavoyre and ends with the forest road to Chalet Raffy.
Cirque de Billière - Virgin of Saint-Pierre-Eynac
3.05 mi
+643 ft
-620 ft
2h 00
Easy
Departure from Saint-Pierre-Eynac (Haute-Loire)
A lovely, easy circular walk, mainly through woods. Discover the Cirque de Billière, then return via the Virgin of Saint-Pierre-Eynac, with a beautiful view of the knolls.
The Knoll du Ranc and Knoll de Jorance trails
11.46 mi
+2,316 ft
-2,316 ft
7h 15
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Hostien (Haute-Loire)
This walk makes extensive use of two trail routes in the Meygal massif. These are the routes:
- Trail No. 2 from the Suc du Ranc
- Trail No. 3 from the Suc de Jorance
The climbs are quite challenging and the landscape varies greatly, taking in forests, hamlets and meadows. A common feature of the walk is the succession of beautiful panoramic views over the Haute-Loire.
Fay sur Lignon - Lac de Saint-Front: a circular route between pine and beech trees
8.38 mi
+1,030 ft
-1,014 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Fay-sur-Lignon (Haute-Loire)
A pleasant walk through the forest, undergrowth and meadows, with the pretty, round crater lake of Saint-Front, the highest in the Haute Loire, as your destination. Views of Mont Mézenc and the Monts du Velay, and you will be on the edge of the summit of Les Roches, an ancient volcano which is a climbing site on its southern slope.The name of thePR® trail that we follow most often is "Entre pins et fayards" (Between pines and beech trees), which is very apt. We added the tour of Lake Saint-Front, as it was too tempting to resist.
Le Testavoyre via La Roche de Carle
9.95 mi
+1,860 ft
-1,854 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A route offering the chance to explore the Roche de Carle, a little-visited rock formation situated above the Auze at the headwaters of the river. Starts from Araules, returns via the Testavoyre.
The Pic du Lizieux via the "chemin des écoliers"
6.41 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,312 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A route exploring little-used paths and points of interest, an alternative to the marked trails.
Circular route from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille starting from Feycenet-la-Tour
12.57 mi
+1,621 ft
-1,621 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from Freycenet-la-Tour (Haute-Loire)
Descent to Le Monastier via little-used paths from the curious alluvial plain pond, less original return via the GR®. With an optional final circular loop offering views of the Mine stream valley.
Cross the famous Recoumène Viaduct and visit Le Monastier.
Gorges de l'Auze depuis Araules
2.64 mi
+541 ft
-568 ft
1h 40
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
New section through the deep gorges of the Auze downstream from Araules, inaccessible in places if the stream is too high. Obstacles remain following the mini-tornado a few years ago, but they can still be crossed. The path is poorly marked in places; ribbons tied to branches and blue markers are there to help with navigation!
Walk along the Auze river in Araules-Saint-Jeures
3.79 mi
+656 ft
-663 ft
2h 20
Moderate
Departure from Araules (Haute-Loire)
A short route to include as an alternative on your local walks that pass through Vareille and then the road, providing access to the Auze up to a little-known waterfall at the bottom of almost impassable gorges.
The paths not shown on the IGN map are nevertheless passable; the Auze is crossed via two large steps (requiring a bit of a jump) at one of the only possible points, regardless of the river’s level.
Mont Signon in Chaudeyrolles
1.97 mi
+535 ft
-535 ft
1h 20
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
Enjoy a beautiful hike on Mont Signon and its old singing slate quarry. Beautiful panoramic views of the Monts de Haute Loire.
Mont Signon and Chaudeyrolles peatlands
7.69 mi
+994 ft
-1,004 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This geological trail allows you to discover an ancient small volcano, Mont Signon, which became a peat bog, then an ancient maar, or marshy crater, home to several peatlands. Numerous information panels from the Geopark help you understand these different volcanic formations.
The Pic du Lizieux via the Mounier
7.83 mi
+1,243 ft
-1,257 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Jeures (Haute-Loire)
A variation on the climb up Lizieux that takes you to Mounier, a little-known peak overlooking Freycenet and the menhir above Monbuzat-La Chieze.
Saint-Régis and Étang des Barthes circular loop
7.83 mi
+679 ft
-699 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Freycenet-la-Tour (Haute-Loire)
Circular route in the countryside around Freycenet-la-Tour, with beautiful unobstructed views. Discover a wind farm and the Étang des Barthes lake. In early July, there are lots of wild strawberries and raspberries along the paths.
The tour of the Mézenc from Chaudeyrolles
13.06 mi
+1,867 ft
-1,857 ft
7h 40
Moderate
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This tour of Mont Mézenc allows you to admire the landscape stretching far in all directions: the Massif Central, the Ardèche, the Alps, the Pilat Massif... It is possible to climb Mont Mézenc during the circuit. The hike offers the best possible view of the beautiful Boutières cirque. The circuit also includes a return trip through the village of Chaudeyrolles and a tour of Mont Signon.
Circular Ventographe at the foot of Mont Mézenc
5.26 mi
+755 ft
-764 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Chaudeyrolles (Haute-Loire)
This is a short circular loop in the Mezenc National Forest, from La Roche Pointue to Le Ventographe, passing by the peat bogs. Le Ventographe is a quirky object created by a DIY artist, placed on a ridge; it is the centre for transmitting messages to the wind, which are received further down by another equally quirky work of art!
Suc du Mounier from Saint-Jeures
4.38 mi
+732 ft
-741 ft
2h 40
Easy
Departure from Saint-Jeures (Haute-Loire)
Starting from the pretty village of Saint-Jeures, this short, easy circular route will take you to the summit of the Suc du Mounier. Although less famous than its larger neighbour, the Lizieux, it nevertheless offers superb panoramic views.
Mont Mézenc
3.98 mi
+856 ft
-863 ft
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Les Estables (Haute-Loire)
Climb Mont Mézenc from the Croix de Peccata - car park.
Mont Mézenc
5.26 mi
+1,024 ft
-1,037 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Les Estables (Haute-Loire)
Discover Mont Mézenc and its two peaks and take a detour to admire the Cirque des Boutières.
Chamblas Castle and the two Huches
10.32 mi
+1,732 ft
-1,722 ft
6h 15
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne-Lardeyrol (Haute-Loire)
This very pleasant route, enjoyable in all seasons, alternates between sections through the forest and across meadows, whilst offering the chance to discover hamlets and villages typical of the region. It takes you through the Domaine de Chamblas with its château and grounds, and ends at the two ‘huches’: the Huche Plate and the Huche Pointue. A climb to the Huche Pointue completes the route.
From the Recoumène Viaduct to the Meyzous Plateau
5.23 mi
+502 ft
-502 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (Haute-Loire)
This hike takes you to the Recoumène viaduct, the village of Monastier-sur-Gazeille and the Meyzous plateau.
The most beautiful part is the crossing of the Meyzous plateau amid meadows and dry stone walls.
Throughout the route, you can admire different views of the Recoumène bridge and the Devès, Meygal and Mézenc mountain ranges.
Route du Pont de l’Estaing
7.45 mi
+997 ft
-997 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (Haute-Loire)
An easy route around Monastier-sur-Gazeille and Présailles, from the cool waters of the Gazeille at Pont de l’Estaing to the open air of the plateau, alternating between woodland and meadows. You’ll enjoy lovely views of the Mézenc and the other surrounding knolls.