Champ Griaud plateau from Châteaugay

Park in the large car park at Esplanade Bellevue, Balirando hiking sign "Plateau de Champ-Griaud", marked with a yellow butterfly, which is the signposting followed by the hike described here, except for the return trip and the visit to the village.

(S/E) Set off along the path, leaving the hiking sign on your right, then walk a few metres through the grass on the right-hand side of the path to reach the orientation table, then continue along the path. When you reach the Bellevue signpost, continue straight ahead towards Champ Griaud via the Plateau de Lachaud. You will arrive at a carved cross, set back and slightly higher up on the right.

(1) Without going as far as the crossroads visible a few metres further on, follow the path that veers to the right and go around the small hillock of the cross on the left to take a path that branches off to the right, downhill. Immediately afterwards, ignore a path on the right marked Chemin des Caves. After a descent aided by a ramp, you will come to a wide path. Follow it to the left for a few metres.

(2) Ignore the path that branches off to the right (the return path), then ignore another path on the right just after that. Continue along this wide path until you reach a three-way intersection.

(3) Follow the path that branches off to the right. At the fork in the path, about a hundred metres further on, turn right again.

(4) Note the information panel on pastoralism in the Dômes region, then continue along the path until you reach a gravel road.

(5) Walk a few metres to the left, then follow the path that branches off to the right. Pass an information panel about Châteaugay, at a viewpoint overlooking the village. You will soon rejoin the wide path at the intersection you passed on the way there.

(2) Follow the path to the left, ignoring the path you took on the way there on the right a few metres further on. You will come to an intersection with a path leading off to the left, at the Coteaux de Châteaugay signpost.

(6) Without the Yellow Butterfly markings, follow this path, which overlooks the valley and vineyards, for a round trip. You will come to a small bench built into a low wall at the side of the path, where you can take a break (you can continue for several hundred metres further). Then return to the Coteaux de Châteaugay signpost intersection.

(6) Take the path again and follow the yellow butterfly markings on the left, i.e. towards Bellevue. You will come to a street in Châteaugay, in the wine cellar district. Follow the street to the left, along the cellars on your right, and ignore all the streets leading off to the left until you reach the intersection with Rue de Bellevue on your right (a house opposite has the number 7 on an enamelled lava sign). The Bellevue car park is on the right.

(7) Leave the yellow butterfly markings to visit the village centre. Follow the street to the left and you will soon reach an intersection. Look for the red and white^GR®® markings and follow them until further notice. Continue straight ahead, passing the Le Chalard sign (without directions) on your right, before you reach the more recent Rue du Chalard sign.

(8) Keep left to follow the signs for Châteaugay (Parc Jay). Ignore a street on the right and at the next crossroads, turn left, then at the fork shortly afterwards, keep left to head towards the castle. Pass under a stone arch and walk along the castle keep on your left. You will arrive at the gate to the castle courtyard and the church (the castle's former chapel). Enter the courtyard, which is open to the public (there is a restaurant), then exit and continue along the street, leaving the church on your left. Pass under another stone arch.

(9) Continue straight ahead to reach Place François Rougeyron. Note the pretty Volvic stone fountain carved on the right, representing Bacchus. Continue straight ahead. On the right, at Parc Jay, note the beautiful building with its fine Volvic stone sculptures. Continue a little further until you see a church on the left, below.

(10) Leave the^GR®®® trail and turn left onto Rue de la Grotte towards this church (which is no longer consecrated), go down one of the staircases flanking the Virgin's cave, continue straight ahead to the right of the church and join a street. Turn left, then immediately left again to climb back up towards the village centre via Rue de la Crouze. Nice view of the castle. Ignore a street on the left and arrive at the second stone arch you passed earlier.

(9) Turn right and retrace your steps, following the ^GR®® markings, pass under the arch, walk alongside the church and the castle, pass the second arch, at the crossroads, turn right onto Rue du Pont de l'Étang, then continue straight ahead, leaving the^GR®®® markings to follow Rue de Bellevue.

(7) Continue straight ahead to quickly return to the car park (S/E).

Difficulty: Easy to Very Easy, but hiking boots are recommended for the stony paths.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here and more generally in the Puy-de-Dôme here

Photo album here
A few information panels on pastoralism and vine cultivation.
Unobstructed views of the Chaîne des Puys and Limagne, and much of the metropolitan area.
Beautiful castle, don't hesitate to enter the courtyard, visits are possible, follow this link for information.
Information about the Chateaugay vineyard here