Saint-Romain-Lachalm walks

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

A pleasant little walk along a wide forest path, surrounded by tall pine trees, to the Grand Felletin orientation table and the magnificent panorama that can be seen from there. In September, take a basket with you, as there are mushrooms to be found.

The Maumarcha or the fantastic trail of northern Vivarais: over (more than) 1.2 km, behind a tree or a rock, you will encounter strange characters... let your imagination run wild and be amazed by the whimsical creations of nature... Then return via the Grand Felletin, where, according to the elders, it is possible to see the three suns at dawn, when the latter is reflected on Mont Blanc.

Hike on the plateau from the Col de la République between Saint-Genest-Malifaux and Saint-Régis-du-Coin.

a peaceful walk with no difficult sections but not recommended for young children or pushchairs, through forest, alongside ponds and numerous fields in the Pilat Park. Update 20/08/25: photos added and details provided for the fork at point (7) Update 15/07/2025: route modified between points (5) and (7) due to the gradual disappearance of the path on the western edge of the pond.

This easy, short walk through the woods in the heart of the Grand Bois in the Pilat Regional Nature Park is a chance to remember a tragic event from the Second World War, around a small monument that has been somewhat forgotten as it does not appear on any maps. Route updated on 18 July 2020.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Between wooded areas and open landscapes, with the Velay mountains in the background, the Haut Lignon remains green during the summer months. Its granite houses evoke a rich past that has stood the test of time.

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.

This hike will take you to the north face of the Pilat massif and the Mézenc plateau, with beautiful forest crossings. Enjoy the coolness of the two dams visited and climb a rock to admire the rugged landscape of the Gouffre d'Enfer.

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.

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.

The route takes you through forests of tall trees on the cross-country ski trails of the Bessat resort.

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.