Saint-Cirgues-sur-Couze walks

The route first follows the Couze Pavin, whose white water flows down from the crater lake of the same name, then climbs the plateau towards Chazeras, offering beautiful views of the magnificent village of Saint-Floret, then Tourzel, before descending to Saint-Cirgues-sur-Couze and its château.

Hike on both sides of the Couze Pavin valley between the feudal villages of Saint-Floret and Saurier. Each has remarkable medieval bridges and highly historic sites such as the Château de Saint-Floret, the Église du Chastel and the Maison du Louvetier de Saurier.

The hiking trail climbs up to the village of Les Roches, a prehistoric site currently undergoing restoration, then leads to Pardines via the plateau before descending through a beautiful acacia forest. Here you can see the outcrop of ancient lacustrine sediments, known as Lahres.

The route starts in Champeix, passes through the hills with views of the Couze Chambon valley, crosses the large site of the Saint-Julien cellars, then wanders through the pretty village of Montaigut-le-Blanc, before following the Couze back to Champeix, where you can visit the old Marchidial district and its gardens.

From the summit of Puy d'Ysson, there is a 360° panoramic view of the agricultural plains of Lembron. A lovely walk through fields, villages and forests.

A return trip to the summit of Puy de Gourdon, offering a beautiful panoramic view, is added to a circular route around and on Puy de la Rodde, starting from the medieval village of Montaigut-le-Blanc.

From Ludesse, on the plateau, descend into the Couze Chambon valley to explore two citadel villages, Champeix, the City of Gardens, and Montaigut-le-Blanc, the City of Cats (personal name).

Walk with views of the Lembronnais region and numerous castles, with an optional visit to the village fort.

While the Abbey Church of Saint-Austremoine is the undisputed jewel of Issoire, there are a few other pleasant surprises in store for you in the town, including small canals and beautiful architecture on the Place de la République.

A walk in the Plauzat countryside before exploring this beautiful village in Limagne: rich winegrowers' houses, crosses, fountains, wash houses and a beautiful Romanesque church.

In the Pays des Couzes, set off to explore the villages of Chadeleuf and Sauvagnat-Sainte-Marthe along wide paths criss-crossing an agricultural plateau offering superb views of the Monts Dore, the hilltop villages of the Limagne and the Puy de Dôme.

A walk around the village of Saint-Yvoine, with views of the Chaine des Puys, the Sancy and the Allier Valley.

Starting from Montpeyroux, this circular route takes you to the banks of the Allier and the village of Coude. The medieval fortress of Montpeyroux, "the most beautiful village in France" built with local golden arkose stone, can be visited at the end of the route. You can climb up to the keep-museum, which offers a beautiful view.

The hillsides of the Allier in Puy-de-Dôme were once an important wine-growing area, as evidenced by the architecture of the villages you pass through on this hike. Among them is Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful villages in France.

This walk on the plateau allows you to walk on paving stones from the old Montpeyroux quarry, visit this magnificent wine-growing village and discover the banks of the Allier in the undergrowth.

Between Issoire and Clermont-Ferrand, the broad, agricultural Limagne plateau boasts a number of beautiful villages with a rich built heritage: forts and ramparts, towers and keeps, fine winegrowers' houses, fountains and wash-houses.

A walk in the countryside around La Sauvetat, followed by a tour of the village centre, home to the beautiful Commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem.

A circular route offering beautiful panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Limagne and the Sancy massif, passing through the ancient villages of Parent, Yronde and Buron. Of note: a pretty church in Yronde (open every time we passed by), the basalt mound of the old feudal castle of Buron called the Citadelle de Buron, fountains, wash houses and traditional dwellings.

Hike in the hills of Limagne d'Issoire, including a visit to two old wine-growing villages and passing through the small village of Puy Moriot, old arkose quarries and a stonemason's hut.

This walk between Boudes and Saint-Hérent allows you to discover the landscapes around the Pic de l'Avoiron and get closer to the Vallée des Saints. If you approach the old entrance to the Vallée des Saints, you will find that it is now closed.

Boudes, its vineyards and the Vallée des Saints, known as the Colorado of Lembron.

The Sentier des Cheminées de Fées trail leads to a dry forest with a series of viewpoints overlooking geological formations: fairy chimneys, cirques and multicoloured cliffs.

Immerse yourself in the coolness of the superb Monne Gorges. On the heights, enjoy absolute calm in a Mediterranean atmosphere on large rocky plateaus. Discover places of worship from yesterday and today: the Allée Couverte de la Grotte and the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Randol (modern). Please note that the path through the gorges is narrow and slippery, with ropes in some places.

A hike on a volcanic plateau with views of the Chaîne des Puys, a world of stones and pastures; a few isolated villages, cows and a glimpse of the civilisation of the Arverni (Gauls of Auvergne) through standing stones and dolmens. A magnificent walk in all seasons.

A circular route starting from Cournols, on the volcanic plateau in the eastern part of the solidified lava flow of Aydat, in the pastures of the monks of Randol, passing through the medieval village of Saint-Saturnin, rich in old houses, a beautiful Romanesque church and a very beautiful castle. Two short return trips can be added to this circular route to discover a wash house in Saint-Saturnin and a covered walkway in Cournols.