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Saint-Haon-le-Châtel walks
From Saint-Haòn-le-Châtel to leat
Morning: crossing the northern part of the Roanne coast vineyards, with little elevation gain, and two beautiful historic villages: Saint-Haon-le-Châtel and Ambierle, with a rich heritage open to visitors. The afternoon is more challenging with the climb to leat (altitude 765 m) through meadows and forest. Most of the route is on dirt tracks with no traffic.
Walk in Saint-Haon-Châtel via Saint-Haon-le-Vieux
The walk takes you through Saint-Haon-le-Vieux along the Chemin Rouge, then on to the site of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, a veritable open-air museum where you can relive ten centuries of civilisation with its remains of high walls, 17 towers and 4 gates. These fortifications were built in the mid-14th century to protect the town from bands of looters. A magnificent village where every street is worth exploring.
Between Ambierle and Les Servajeans
Enjoy a lovely walk above Ambierle through fields and forests. Discover its magnificent church with its polychrome tiles.
A view of the Roannais region from the Croix du Sud
Just above Saint-Haon-le-Vieux and Saint-Haon-le-Châtel. Starting from the Croix du Sud, a walk through beautiful woodland with views of the Roannais region at several points. The paths are generally easy, with a few stony sections. The walk climbs slightly for a quarter of the route, after the turning point at the quiet hamlet of Combejardin. It remains an accessible walk for amateurs, and can be shortened by taking a different route.
The GPX track may prove useful.
The Gorge du Désert, starting from Saint-Alban-les-Eaux
Starting from the village of Saint-Alban-Les-Eaux, known for its carbonated springs, this route passes via La Madone and the Montouse Dam before continuing on to the Gorge du Désert. It allows you to reach the waterfall without too much difficulty and then return to the village via Le Châtelus.
The Gorge du Désert and the Châtelus from Saint-Alban-les-Eaux
Starting from the village of Saint-Alban-les-Eaux, known for its sparkling mineral springs, this route passes via La Madone and the Montouse Dam to reach the Gorges du Désert and the waterfall. Views from Le Châtelus and the viewpoint on the way back.
La Verrerie-Le plateau
A short route for a first taste of the Verrerie plateau on snowshoes.
The washhouse route in Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts
A route through woods and along paths, starting from the small village of Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts.
Les Monts de la Madeleine (Villemontais)
Walk in the Monts de la Madeleine between Villemontais and Chérier.
15/05/2024: Route modified to avoid passing through private property at Ripouroux.
Roannaise coast and mountains
A 4-day hiking tour from lodge to lodge in the Monts de la Madeleine (low mountain range) west of the town of Roanne. Immerse yourself in nature, often still wild, by taking as many small paths as possible.
From Point du Jour to Saint-Haon-le-Châtel
Departure from a high point in the Monts de la Madeleine, in Cherier, at a place called Le Point du Jour (870 m, 14-bed stopover lodge with meals) to descend to the Côte Roannaise, cross its vine-covered hillsides and arrive at the medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (14-bed stopover lodge with meals). This route gives priority to small paths with no motor vehicle traffic and beautiful views of the Roanne plain.
From leats to Loge des Gardes
This stage crosses the highest villages in the Monts de la Madeleine, at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, and allows you to visit two major tourist attractions in St-Nicolas-des-Leat (03): the Allée des Géants and the Pierre Châtel. Most of the route is through deciduous forest, home to mushrooms. The stage ends at the Loge des Gardes sports resort, where accommodation is available (hotel-restaurant).
Bénisson-Dieu Abbey from Noailly
An easy walk from Noailly to Abbaye de la Bénisson-Dieu, passing Château de la Motte on the way back.
From the Loge des Gardes to Point du Jour
Departure from the Loge des Gardes sports centre. Start the day in the beautiful beech undergrowth of the Assise State Forest, above 1,000 metres altitude, before descending to the more open plateaus of La Tuilière and Cherier, with beautiful views. End at the Refuge du Point du Jour lodge (overnight stay and meals made with farm produce) (altitude 870 metres).