Panoramic views around Saint-Front

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.

Details

175434
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 197 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 193 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,255 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,122 m

Description of the walk

The route follows severalPR® trails and is marked in yellow.
Park in the village square opposite the town hall (large car park).

(S/E) From the car park, head north along the small flat road that passes in front of the town hall; it quickly leaves the village, overlooks a riding centre and quickly turns into a track and then a path that descends steadily towards La Gagne. Join a road and follow it until you reach a bridge.

(1) Do not cross the bridge, but take the road on the left and then the first path that climbs to the left. This path joins the road a little further on, in front of the Cancoules farm.

(2) Turn left onto the road that leads to the isolated house of L'Ouche (very beautiful views of the Gagne Valley and its tributaries on this section). Then climb up the wide south-east facing track which, after a right-hand bend, enters a wood and joins the D39 road.

(3) Follow the road on the right (take care) and, at the first crossroads, take the small road on the right and head for a pylon at the top of the hamlet of Machabert.

(4) Once you reach the pylon, take a path that descends rapidly to the left, almost turning back on itself. Cross the D39 (caution) and follow the Machabert stream valley. Take the opportunity to notice how quickly the streams flowing from the plateau descend into the valley.

(5) At the crossroads, all the paths are marked in yellow. Take the path that descends to the right to cross the stream and climb back up towards the hamlet of Soleilhac. Go around the hamlet, leaving it on your left, and join a small road. Follow this road and pass the access path to Malrevers to reach a path on the left.

(6) Take this wide path which crosses the meadows and joins a road.

(7) Take this road on the right which descends towards the hamlet of Souteyros.

(8) Before the hamlet, turn left onto a path that climbs uphill. This path overlooks a tributary of the Aubépin and joins a small road.

(9) Take this road on the left and then at the three-way junction.

(10) Take the road on the right. Continue straight on this road, which leads to Saint-Front via the aptly named hamlet of La Gare. Join the RD 39 and turn right for less than 100 metres.

(11) Turn left to enter the village centre. From there, head to the church and then the central square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,219 m - Village square
  2. 1 : km 1.25 - alt. 1,122 m - Bridge over the - Gagne (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 1,154 m - Cancoules Farm
  4. 3 : km 3.29 - alt. 1,239 m - RD 39
  5. 4 : km 4.59 - alt. 1,206 m - Machabert, pylon
  6. 5 : km 5.53 - alt. 1,191 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 6.33 - alt. 1,193 m - Start of the path on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.88 - alt. 1,236 m - Crossroads between path and road
  9. 8 : km 8.31 - alt. 1,211 m - Start of the path on the left
  10. 9 : km 9.14 - alt. 1,241 m - Crossroads between path and road
  11. 10 : km 9.55 - alt. 1,252 m - Three-way junction
  12. 11 : km 11.51 - alt. 1,217 m - Village centre
  13. S/E : km 11.77 - alt. 1,219 m - Village square

Notes

For a long day's walk, or even two days (with a possible stop at Saint-Front), you can complete this route in a circular fashion.
https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-la-g... at marker (1).

Shortcut option: at the crossroads (5), you can take the left-hand path, which quickly leads to Saint-Front.

Worth a visit

Take advantage of the stop in Saint-Front to visit the village and its church
The beautiful Lake Saint-Front is also nearby.

From point (6), follow the road for 300 metres to see the remains of Château de Pralas (a farm in poor condition).
Between (6) and (10), enjoy the many views of the Mézenc massif, the Devès, etc., and try to guess where Le Puy-en-Velay is!

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
ISA43
ISA43
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike with a typical village. The weather was uncertain, but it would have been possible to shorten it if necessary. We only use the tracking and not the description.

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LABROSSEM
LABROSSEM
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that the return trip to the Souteyros waterfalls wasn't mentioned, as it could be optional since it takes an extra hour from point 8. But these waterfalls really add something extra to this hike and in summer are undoubtedly a cool haven for a picnic, for example. We did it because we knew about these waterfalls. Everything is well marked to get there. Be careful, though, as the descent is a bit steep and slippery in wet weather. With good shoes, however, it is very doable. For us, the ground was very wet.

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garnodon
garnodon

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To make sure we didn't miss a stunning site nearby, the Souteyros waterfall, we changed the route. Starting from St Front, we headed straight for Soleilhac (point 5). However, at point 8 (Souteyros), we did the 1.7 km circular loop around the waterfall, PR592. A site not to be missed! Ultimately, the length and duration of the hike are roughly the same.

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ranchondenis
ranchondenis

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike

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MCP
MCP

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike clearly marked on the map, pleasant route, bring a hat as there is little shade but beautiful meadows.

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Corbes
Corbes

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

In terms of panoramic views, we were well served (and we guessed where Le Puy was!), but it was still a somewhat monotonous hike with quite a lot of tarmac, which meant that we ended up finding the time rather long...

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ragonrando
ragonrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk. The view stretches far into the distance with unobstructed visibility at all times. It took us less time than indicated to complete the walk, even though we are not particularly athletic (3 hours).
Thank you to the people who contribute maps and descriptions to the website.

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inca12
inca12

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Too many roads

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colibri43
colibri43

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful hike, just a bit too much road but superb scenery.

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MSL43
MSL43

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very good, enjoyable route that is accessible to all. 15 kilometres long, with an open section offering superb views of Mount Mézenc and a wooded section that is ideal for picnics. The route has recently been mapped out and signposted by the St Front volunteer team with Respirando signs and painted markings, leaving no doubt as to which direction to take. Everything is perfect.

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elbarjado
elbarjado

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

In the hamlet of Solheilac, there were no signs and we took the wrong path. It would be a good idea to mark the correct route with a yellow line and the wrong path with a yellow cross!

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bibi
bibi ★

In such cases, please do not hesitate to let us know what would have helped you.
Kind regards

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Mumutella
Mumutella

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Description not quite accurate
We found it a bit by chance, but we found it!

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pierre2505
pierre2505

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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Mireio
Mireio

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful hike, but not one to do on a hot day, as the route follows many roads and paved paths with no shade.
Mireio (hiker)

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