Saint-Flour walks

Starting from Saint-Flour, this tour of the northern part of the Planèze de Saint-Flour allows you to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes of this high basalt plateau in just three days of walking. The stages in Paulhac and Valuéjols offer accommodation in stopover lodges. The route follows part of a variant of the GR® de Pays de Saint-Flour and part of the GR®4.

This is the first of three stages of the Saint-Flour Planèze tour. It is the longest stage, passing through several small villages typical of the Planèze with their bread ovens, which provide welcome shelter for a short break in rainy weather. The very quiet paths and small roads run alongside meadows grazed by numerous herds of cattle in season.

Between gorges and plateaus, this circuit offers varied landscapes and paths with superb views of the Alleuze site.

Third and final stage of the Planèze tour. Entirely on the GR®4. This stage crosses varied environments and allows you to discover some very interesting, albeit little-known, sites. In particular, the route runs alongside the Narse de Nouvialle (a remarkable wetland) and passes close to the Château du Sailhant and the Babory waterfall.

Starting from Loubaresse, near an exit from the A75 motorway, this route follows the GR® de Pays circular Boucle de la Truyère and a variant that "turns" around the Truyère river to the village of Chaliers, which is well worth taking the time to explore. The route takes small local roads on both the left and right banks of this river with its wild gorges, crossing it twice via footbridges at Valadour and Terran. The actual duration of the route is 4 hours and 40 minutes (GPS watch data), including a short stop in Chaliers.

Second stage of the Saint-Flour Planèze tour. This is the shortest and highest stage. It takes place in the foothills of the Plomb du Cantal and crosses the wildest parts of the circuit.

Discover the history of this part of the Cézalier through the archaeological and historical remains that dot this route. Prehistoric rock shelters, tumuli, Merovingian sarcophagi, medieval forest trails, 12th-century churches, a monumental 15th-century cross, a communal oven, a wash house and beautiful old houses.

This somewhat rugged circuit follows a narrow path along the Gorges du Bès and offers wonderful landscapes with the ruins of Arzenc d'Apcher Castle on the opposite bank (Lozère). The path then climbs slightly onto the plateau and the view widens beyond the gorges. Throughout the valley, a climbing site offers numerous equipped routes. Passing through the villages of Morsanges and Chazals, you can admire old bread ovens.

Walk in the hills above Murat. Beautiful views over the Alagnon and Benet valleys. Beautiful old houses in the village of Bredons and the remarkable site of Bredons Church, an 11th-century Cluniac site.

This route invites you to discover the pretty village of Albepierre-Bredons and explore the Pays de Murat national forest, which is home to many remarkable trees. In the cool woods, the Prés Long, Vergnes and Prapsou waterfalls are the main attractions of this shaded route. Route not accessible from December to April due to snow.

Les Prés Marty are summer pastures on the slopes of Plomb du Cantal, where beautiful Salers cows graze on lush grass. On the way there, discover three beautiful waterfalls, and on the way back, a renovated buron (shepherd's hut), an oratory and a fourth waterfall. In season, dessert will be provided by the many wild raspberry bushes that line the path.

This hike will allow you to discover the surroundings of Chaudes-Aigues and the local agriculture based on livestock farming (beautiful Aubrac cows). Throughout the route, the flora is rich and varied.

This route is ideal in hot weather. You will enjoy the coolness near the waterfalls and especially in the forest. In spring and autumn, this route will undoubtedly allow you to discover the wild flora and fauna in the Cirque. You will leave the coolness behind at the Col de la Molède, just long enough to descend towards Albepierre. ⚠️ At the point (3) , the hamlet of Raveyrol is replaced by Buron de Joaniol haut. This is a naming error on the IGN map.

This route allows you to discover the pretty village of Espinasse, which overlooks the Truyère valley and offers breathtaking views of the highest peaks in the Cantal region from Mont Mournac. The small 15th-century church is well worth a visit. The wash house, fountains and drinking troughs are also part of the local landscape.

A superb hike, mostly through woods, to discover the wild and little-known Truyère gorges. Suitable for experienced walkers only due to the distance and elevation gain.

Discover the highest point of the Margeride and enjoy a 360° panorama of the Auvergne mountains. In good weather, you can also see the Alps and the Pyrenees.

A short hike but with a steep climb through the woods, the Roche Percée site is well worth a visit.

Tour of the Cantal in seven stages: Murat [Laveissiere] - Meije Costes - Le Falgoux - Le Fau - Mandailles - Le Lioran - Prat de Bouc - Murat [Laveissiere] Very beautiful stages between the Cère, Jordanne and Alagnon valleys. Between the ridges offering unforgettable views (360° panoramas), the ascent of the puys adding a touch of "mountain" to the experience, the summer pastures dotted with flower-filled meadows and encounters with both the flora and fauna and the people who live in this corner of the Cantal and are happy to share their territory.

Stage 1 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400 First "glitch" of the route from Murat. It turns out that the GR®400 route has been changed due to right of way issues (from what we understand). So, instead of climbing from Murat up to the ridges and following them to the Bec de l'Aigle rock, we had to descend to the village of Laveissière and climb back up from La Bourgeade. We decided to start from Laveissière.

This route takes you to Lac du Pêcher, La Roche du Pic, the Frau de Collanges peat bog and Lac de Sauvages. I encountered a wolf in this area in the winter of 2017. Then I forgot about it until early 2025. It then reappeared, attacking livestock multiple times between winter and summer. I tracked it down and know its favourite spots. This does not guarantee that you will see it, but it may increase your chances of an encounter.

The summit of Puy de la Tuile offers panoramic views of two regions (Occitanie and Auvergne) and five departments (Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, Lozère and Aveyron). The beauty of this landscape, the moors, the peat bogs and their array of protected species fully justify the site's classification as a Sensitive Natural Area and its inclusion in the European Natura 2000 network.

The first slate-roofed houses, large pastures and isolated farms herald the end of the Brivadois forests and the beginning of the Cézallier summer pastures.

A short walk leads to a majestic natural site and a perfect view of the Truyère Gorges. Be careful in rainy weather, however, as the area around the Porte des Fées can be slippery.

This trail will introduce you to the burons, typical Aubrac buildings once used during the summer grazing season. At the Bagpipe Museum, you can discover the history of the cabrette and the world'slargest collection of bagpipes. Along the way, you can admire the Plomb du Cantal, the Puy Mary, the church of Vines and its Stations of the Cross, as well as an exceptional view of Lake Sarrans.