Refine your search for walks in Saint-Illide
Along the Etze and Bertrande rivers

A lovely, easy hike through bucolic countryside, along and above the water, almost entirely shaded by tall trees. Beautiful views. Swimming possible. Near Saint-Illide, Arnac and Pleaux.
Puy Courny and ridges: mountains in the city

Short urban walk along the Jordanne, then into the Cantal mountains, a stone's throw from the centre of Aurillac. Beautiful views of Aurillac and the Chaîne des Puys.
There are herds of livestock and electric fences. Dogs are not allowed.
Le Fau - Mandailles

Stage 4 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400
Another beautiful stage alternating between summer pastures, forests, ridges, peaks (puy) and passes. Long, with quite a lot of elevation gain and loss. Bring plenty of water!
Le Falgoux - Le Fau

Stage 3 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400. Departure above the hamlet of Récusset, at the end of the long forest track. The upper part of this hike is on open tracks with no shade. The descent, although some sections are shaded, remains exposed.
The Cabrespine crossing

A day's walk in magnificent surroundings, using theGR® trails in the area. We are within sight of Puy Chavaroche and Puy Mary.
Tour of the Puy Mary - GR400

A beautiful three-day hike, sleeping in a bivouac, with interesting variations in altitude.
Mandailles - Le Lioran

Stage 5 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400A forest stage (therefore shaded) with two potential climbs: the Puy de l'Usclade and the Puy Griou.
* Editor's note: we have also decided not to follow the original GR®400 route, which makes a long detour to the Col de Pertus, which we don't think is worth the effort. We will reach the Col de Gliziou via the PR® (orange and green markings) which climb up the Ruisseau du Luc valley.
The Pas de Cère
This is an unmissable walk in the Cère valley, where you can discover the gorges carved out by the glacier and then the river, on a beautiful marked trail.
From Larmandie to Liadouze

A short, fairly easy hike from the Puy Mary campsite in Mandailles, which allows you to walk in the hills east of the village and return via the Gorges de la Jordanne (when the water level allows).
Jordanne Valley from the Col du Pertus
From the Col du Pertus, discover the village of Mandailles and the hamlets of Larmandie and Liadouze on the banks of the Jordanne. On both the outward and return journeys, gaps in the forest offer beautiful views of the valley, the Chavaroche and Puy Mary massifs, as well as the Gliziou and Puy Griou.
Update 2025: see practical information
Le Puy de Peyre Arse

A long walk along the ridges allows you to enjoy the view of the Puy du Cantal, the Puy de Sancy and the Plomb du Cantal. Pass through the Brèche de Roland and return to the Cirque d'Eylac with the marmots.
Puy Mary from the Pas de Peyrol

The circuit offers magnificent panoramic views of twelve valleys from the summit.
Puy Mary, a veritable pyramid when seen from the sky, rises to 1,783 metres. In the heart of the Cantalien Massif, it is surrounded by exceptional landscapes formed by volcanic activity and glacial erosion, representing the largest volcano in Europe (2,700 km²).
The sources of the Jordanne

A beautiful, not too difficult walk with magnificent scenery. Ideal for discovering the landscapes of the Cantal.
Puy Gros, Cirque d'Encloux and Grandval and return via Niercombe

This hike allows you to discover "forgotten" places, away from the GR®400, on the section between Puy Gros and Plomb du Cantal. You will discover many restored burons (stone huts), amazing sites and, especially in spring, a rich variety of wild flora and animals with their young. However, this circuit is often off the beaten track, taking you closer to the wildest areas where you are most likely to encounter animals or see rare plants.
Puy Gros from Niervèze

From the village of Niervèze, this route, mainly on summer pasture tracks, takes you to the summit of Puy Gros and its plateau, passing by some magnificent restored burons (privately-owned) and the old Cantal chapel, of which only a few ruins and a basalt cross remain.
There is a magnificent view over the Cère valley and the main peaks, Puy Chavaroche, Puy Mary, Puy Griou, Peyre Arse, Téton de Vénus and Rocher du Bec de l'Aigle.
Loop around Notre-Dame de Belpeuch

A loop, mainly through woods, starting from the charming and picturesque sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Belpeuch, which means "the beautiful mountain". Located in the heart of the Xaintrie, it contains a magnificent statue of the Virgin Mary, dating from the 15th century. There are a few steep slopes, but the walk is pleasant. Good walking shoes are necessary.
Le Puy Mary from the Col de Serre
Climb to the summit of the famous Puy Mary from the south-east, along a very pleasant path, leaving your car far enough away to avoid the crowds of visitors who gather at the Pas de Peyrol.
Puy Griou from Les Chazes
The summit of Puy Griou has a characteristic cone shape and can be seen from afar. Located in the heart of the Cantalian volcano, it offers a superb panorama. The proposed route, which is fairly short, has the advantage of avoiding the Super Lioran ski resort facilities.
Meije Coste - Le Falgoux

Stage 2 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400. A long and challenging stage due to the heat in June. It might be better to split the stages differently. Some very beautiful sections, particularly the arrival on the ridge before Puy Mary, the area around Puy de la Tourte, etc. More difficult sections: the Brèche de Rolland, the Luchard plateau and the long descent to Falgoux. It should be noted that the ascent of Puy Mary is not compulsory.
Le Lioran - Prat de Bouc

Stage 6 of our Tour du Cantal. A beautiful climb from the Lioran resort to the Plomb du Cantal, starting with a forest section, then a steep climb to reach the Puy du Rocher via the Aiguillon; cross over to reach the cable car station and a final (moderate) climb to the Plomb du Cantal.Panoramic views in all directions. Discover the landscapes of several valleys as you pass through. It's a feast for the eyes!
Prat de Bouc–Lavessière

Stage 7 of our Tour du Cantal. This is the final stage of the Tour du Cantal, with another change to the GR®400 route: instead of returning to Murat, we head back to Laveissière (where we left our vehicle, see episode 1). Most of this stage is in the shade, but the descent brings the heat..
Plomb du Cantal from the Col de Prat-de-Bouc

The highest peak in Europe's largest volcanic complex, the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m) offers unobstructed views of the Monts-Dore (Puy-de-Sancy) to the north and the Cézallier and Aubrac plateaus to the south.
Loop around Plomb du Cantal

Its height of 1855 metres make Plomb du Cantal the second highest peak in the Massif Central after the Puy de Sancy.
Starting from the Col de Prat de Bouc, this hike initially leads to the summit ascent and descent on the northern slope, followed by a climb up the slopes of the Puy du Rocher before returning to Prat de Bouc.
The Limon Plateau

Hike on the mountain pastures of the Limon Plateau, where beautiful Salers cows graze from May to October. From these heights, you will enjoy beautiful unobstructed views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, in particular the Puy Mary. This circuit follows part of the Sentier des Quirous, remarkable for its ancient stone signposts.Visorando app essential