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Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs walks
Pierre Châtel - Allée des Sorcières
Visorando Member
2.88 mi
+600 ft
-587 ft
1h 50
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
This short hike takes you past two remarkable sites: the Pierre Châtel with a beautiful view from its summit and the mysterious "Allée des Sorcières" (Witches' Alley) with its twisted beech trees.
Peat bog on the Verrerie plateau
4.34 mi
+476 ft
-453 ft
2h 25
Easy
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
This walk takes us through woods to the Verrerie plateau and its peat bog.
The wind turbines around Saint-Nicolas-des-leat
6.81 mi
+994 ft
-981 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
This hike takes us on a journey between modernity (the wind turbines) and the past (the old glassmakers' village, the Château des Hormières) and offers beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.
Circular walk around Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs
12.32 mi
+2,149 ft
-2,139 ft
7h 30
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
A lovely walk offering a chance to discover a variety of landscapes and flora: beech and coniferous forests, and the peat bogs of the Verrerie plateau. Discover the famous avenue of gnarled beech trees and the Pierre Châtel rock-climbing site.
From Pierre Châtel to the Druidic Stone
12.38 mi
+2,664 ft
-2,671 ft
8h 00
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
This hike takes us through the woods of Pierre Châtel (Saint-Nicolas-des-leat) to the Druidic Stone (Loge des Gardes). The return journey takes us through isolated hamlets and farms.
La Verrerie-Le plateau
3.06 mi
+312 ft
-322 ft
2 hrs
Easy
Departure from Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs (Allier)
A short route for a first taste of the Verrerie plateau on snowshoes.
From the Loge des Gardes to Point du Jour
Association / Club / Walk leader
11.96 mi
+1,368 ft
-2,044 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from Laprugne (Allier)
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).
A view of the Roannais region from the Croix du Sud
5.42 mi
+1,102 ft
-1,119 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Ambierle (Loire)
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.
From leats to Loge des Gardes
12.97 mi
+2,382 ft
-1,342 ft
8h 00
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts (Loire)
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).
The tour of Lake Saint-Clément
3.01 mi
+148 ft
-154 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Le Mayet-de-Montagne (Allier)
Since spring 2021, a path has been created around this artificial lake in the Bourbonnais mountains. This is a short, easy route on a very well-maintained path.
Bizin Wood
4.99 mi
+607 ft
-594 ft
2h 50
Easy
Departure from Le Mayet-de-Montagne (Allier)
A pleasant little walk through meadows and woods with, on a clear day, a view of the volcanic range.
The Pisserote Waterfall
6.21 mi
+669 ft
-656 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Arfeuilles (Allier)
This hike will allow you to discover the Cascade de la Pisserote waterfall on the Barbenan.
Laprugne – Saint-Victor-Montvianeix
12.93 mi
+2,195 ft
-2,169 ft
7h 50
Difficult
Departure from Laprugne (Allier)
Third stage of the Rez de Sol circular route, straddling the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. There is a stark contrast as you cross from the Allier into the Puy-de-Dôme: from pretty mid-mountain hamlets as far as Lavoine, then a landscape dominated by forests cascading down deep gorges from which a few hilltop villages emerge, seeming timeless, towards St-Victor-Montvianeix (a very extensive commune covering 4,500 ha). An optional detour takes you to the Rez de Sol (1.6 km). Omitting this route reduces the length of the stage by the same distance.
The washhouse route in Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts
5.26 mi
+719 ft
-715 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts (Loire)
A route through woods and along paths, starting from the small village of Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts.
Puy du Roc route
5.51 mi
+922 ft
-922 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Châtel-Montagne (Allier)
Route from Puy du Roc starting from Chatel-Montagne in the Bourbonnais mountains.
Between Ambierle and Les Servajeans
6.75 mi
+1,138 ft
-1,129 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Ambierle (Loire)
Enjoy a lovely walk above Ambierle through fields and forests. Discover its magnificent church with its polychrome tiles.
Passing through Ramille and Barret
2.96 mi
+322 ft
-322 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Arfeuilles (Allier)
A route above the village of Arfeuilles, at the foot of the Bourbonnais mountains, with lovely views of the surrounding area and a lovely stretch through the forest.
The Maquisards’ Wood in Châtel-Montagne
7.36 mi
+1,332 ft
-1,312 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Châtel-Montagne (Allier)
A walk offering varied scenery and beautiful panoramic views, starting from the Darots car park. And as a bonus for the children, there are plenty of farm animals along the route!
The Saint-Vincent Rock
5.10 mi
+738 ft
-738 ft
3h 00
Easy
Departure from Lavoine (Allier)
Winding its way between forests and pastures, this walk leads to the foot of Rocher Saint-Vincent, the protective power of Lavoine and the Sichon valley.
Route Ramille in Arfeuilles
5.91 mi
+1,050 ft
-1,053 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Arfeuilles (Allier)
A pleasant walk starting from Arfeuilles, with plenty of woodland, crossing the Barbenan, and lovely views of the surrounding area.
The Madone Route in Arfeuilles
2.65 mi
+361 ft
-351 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Arfeuilles (Allier)
The route passes near the statue of the Madonna on the heights of the village of Arfeuilles at the foot of the Bourbonnais Mountains.
The Chestnut Route above the village of Arfeuilles
2.97 mi
+367 ft
-367 ft
1h 40
Easy
Departure from Arfeuilles (Allier)
A short route above Arfeuilles, at the entrance to the Bourbonnais mountains, offering lovely views of the surrounding area.
Roannaise coast and mountains
50.15 mi
+7,923 ft
-7,907 ft
4 days
Difficult
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
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
14.49 mi
+1,686 ft
-3,130 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
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.
Rez de Sol walking route
62.40 mi
+10,089 ft
-10,089 ft
5 days
Difficult
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
A five-day itinerary linking the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois, taking in the Rez de Sol and the Pierre du Sang. There is a lodge where you can stay overnight and have dinner each evening. The landscape is that of the mid-mountain range, predominantly wooded on the Auvergne side and predominantly agricultural on the Forez side, always following small paths that allow you to truly discover this little-known region.
From Cherier (Le Point du Jour) to the campsite at Saint-Just-en-Chevalet
13.04 mi
+1,788 ft
-2,667 ft
7h 35
Difficult
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
First stage of a 5-day route through the Monts de la Madeleine, the Bois Noirs and the northern Livradois. Most of the day is spent on the lovely paths of the commune of Cherier, offering a range of views from the tops of its hills, amidst unspoilt countryside. At the end of the route, the path descends to Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, after passing through the charming hamlet of Fonthieur.
More walks in Saint-Nicolas-des-Biefs
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