Saint-Didier-en-Velay walks

This is the story of a 4.7 km route representing the 4.7 billion years of our planet's history. One kilometre corresponds to one billion years and, therefore, one metre (one large step) to one million years. Based on this symbolism, 21 panels have been placed along the route. The location of each panel, and therefore the corresponding period, recounts a major event that changed the course of Earth's evolution. This route, which follows the paths of Saint-Didier-en-Velay, is designed to be fun, historical and original.

A short circular walk from La Séauve-sur-Semène, following the Semène river, with a return journey partly through the countryside and partly through ancient forest.

A long but easy hike on the plateau towards Saint-Romain-Lachalm in a landscape alternating between meadows, forests and rivers. Beautiful farm buildings still in use or converted. Crossing the Bois des Cartaires with its oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

A circular route that allows you to appreciate the Gorges de la Dunières. The paths are not always easy (unpaved, steep) but offer beautiful views of a place that is not very touristy and little known to the public. It is a place frequented by mushroom pickers, 4x4s, motorbikes and, in season, hunters.

The circular route starts in Aurec-sur-Loire, following the banks of the Loire and the footbridges of the "Saut du Chien" before climbing up to the village of Malvalette via thePR® "Le Pont d'Angelard". Pass by the Sainte-Reine Chapel on theGR® de Pays des Gorges de la Loire, which takes you back to Aurec via the Rivoire stream valley.

This short hike offers many views: Mont Mézenc, Monts du Pilat, and even Mont Blanc when the weather is clear. An orientation table at the highest point allows you to identify the many mountains around you. The circuit is largely open, with passages on dry hillsides. Particularly pleasant in spring and autumn, it is therefore best avoided in hot weather.

A pleasant Sunday walk, very popular and enjoyable in good weather.

An easy hike in the Pilat Natural Park, through beautiful forests of tall trees and along the shores of Lake Sapt in a mid-mountain setting. Ideal in summer as the walk is refreshing. The village of Saint-Genest-Malifaux is located at an altitude of around 1,000 metres and many of the paths are shaded by century-old trees.

Rochebaron Castle is the emblematic site in the Bas-en-Basset and Monistrol-sur-Loire area. Beautiful views, first over the Loire and, on the return journey, over the Meygal massif.

This walk starts in the Ondenon valley and climbs twice to 900m, on both sides of the river. It offers several panoramic views of the Ondaine valley, the city of Saint-Étienne and, in the distance, the Monts du Forez.

Set off to explore the Loire, starting from Saint-Régis-du-Coin and heading to Crêt de Chaussitre, which offers a magnificent view of Saint-Genest-Malifaux and its surroundings.

Starting from the Croix du Guizay, this circuit in the Pilat Regional Nature Park offers some of the most beautiful views of Saint-Étienne. The belvedere allows you to take in the city's central street and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire urban area.

A Cluniac site thanks to its priory and church, Grazac has been famous for some time as one of the two access points to the largest Himalayan footbridge in France. This route will take you there via a short walk through this wooded valley.

A winding hike near the magnificent Lignon Gorges, crossed by a Himalayan footbridge, with beautiful landscapes over the knolls of the Pays d'Yssingeaux. The path on the Greenway to the south will reveal the beautiful landscapes of the Lignon Gorges.

Car-free route: depart from Saint-Étienne Bellevue station, accessible by tram from Chateaucreux, and take the L14 regional bus towards Jonzieux. Get off at Planfoy Route du Bourg, paying attention to the timetable, especially on weekdays outside school holidays. It is best to travel in the morning.

This is a challenging hike with significant elevation gain, but the beautiful panoramas and views of this little-known region are well worth the effort.

The Greenway allows you to travel from Bellevue to La Terrasse (or vice versa) via the hills west of Saint-Étienne. The signage is sometimes non-existent, sometimes misleading, and most often inadequate. These are all reasons for proposing this walk with a detailed description. It is possible to split it in two by stopping at Puits Couriot. The route/description update of 16 August 2020 takes into account the new route from Bellevue.

Circular hike to the Gouffre d'Enfer and Pas du Riot dams, built under Napoleon III using stone masonry. Admire the height of the conifers growing in these forests. The nearby Col de la République, also known as Col du Grand Bois, lives up to its name. The route is mainly through woodland and is not difficult. There is very little tarmac road (only at the start and finish).

Circular starting from the village of Chambles with beautiful views of the Loire Gorges, passing by the medieval Essalois Castle, the Monts du Lyonnais, the plain and the Monts du Forez.

An extraordinary route starting from the town, 95% on paths, surprising and so beautiful. No difficulty. Head towards Rochetaillé via a footpath, then the Gouffre d'Enfer with its via ferrata and climbing walls, and finally the two dams that supply Saint-Etienne with drinking water. 2½ hours at a leisurely pace with 2 water stops.

A pleasant short hike in the countryside around Saint-Genest-Lerpt.

A walk at the gateway to the Pilat mountains to discover the Lac du Pas du Riot and two dams built under Napoleon III. This walk is easy, suitable for families and without difficulty. The hardest part is climbing the 52 steps of the dam.

This hike allows you to discover the infrastructure that supplies the city of Saint-Étienne with drinking water. The hydraulic structures were built mainly to prevent flooding in the mid-19th century during the Second Empire. A journey between a Canadian atmosphere, with the expanse of water and fir trees of the Riot dam, and the Great Wall of China with the ascents of the Gouffre d'Enfer dam. Mostly forest trails.

A very beautiful, easy circular alternating between forest paths, magnificent landscapes and breathtaking views of the Château de Rochetaillée, the Roche Corbière (117 m high) and the Pas du Riot (1878) and Gouffre d'Enfer (1866) dams, whose surroundings have been converted into a very pleasant relaxation area for the end of this walk.

The Gouffre d'Enfer dam is one of the most famous sites in the Rhône-Alpes region and a popular walk in the Saint-Étienne area. It was built in 1860 in the Furan valley, near Rochetaillé, and completed 17 years later by the Pas du Riot dam. We then continue along the dam trail to the Pont de Souvignet. The return journey takes us via Les Palais, Les Sagnes and La Croix de Givet before joining theGR®42to arrive at Le Plateau and Rochetaillé.