A stretch of the pilgrims' route in Monistrol

In Monistrol-d'Allier, park in the spaces available along Impasse de la Gare, or come by train.

No signposts

(S/E) Return to the Route du Gévaudan D589, follow it carefully to the left, then follow it to the right before crossing the Allier river on Rue des Jacquets. Pass the town hall, then the bridge over the Allier.

(1) Turn left onto Rue des Lombards, ignoring the side streets (to be visited on the way back). At the fork, turn right onto Montée de la Madeleine. Cross the bridge over the Ance and continue to the hairpin bend on the right.

(2) Ignore the return path and continue straight ahead on the road. At the next bend, pass a large stone cross, then pass at the foot of a climbing wall.

^GR®® Red and White and Saint-Jacques markings

About 50 metres further on, ignore the road on the right that leads to the^GR®® markings and continue for another 100 metres.

(3) Turn left onto the path, pass a cross and the semi-troglodytic chapel, and arrive at the hamlet of Escluzels. Turn right onto the street, then right again at the intersection.

(4) Further on, ignore a road on the right and, 100 metres further on, take the path on the left that cuts across a bend in the road. Cross the road and follow the path opposite, which immediately leads to the D589. Cross carefully and continue on the path opposite, which winds its way up through the undergrowth and reaches the hamlet of Montaure.

(5) Leave the hamlet on your right and continue along the small road.

(6) Leave the road and take a path on the left that leads to the hamlet of Roziers (cross and Compostela-style decoration).

(7) Keep to the right to cross the hamlet and continue along the road.

(8) At the fork in the road, signposted La Garde, turn right. Continue to the hamlet of Le Vernet.

No signposts

(9) At the small circular fountain, leave the stream of pilgrims and follow the street straight ahead. At the bend, follow the path straight ahead. Join the D589 at a place called La Vacherie.

(10) Follow the road to the left for about 50 metres, then take the road to the right. Follow it through meadows surrounded by low walls until you reach a four-way crossroads.

(11) Continue straight ahead on the path.

(12) At the next intersection, keep left. You will reach a crossroads at a place called Les Hers.

(13) Follow the road to the right, ignoring a road on the right immediately after.

(14) Further on, ignore a path on the right (to be followed on the way back), then turn immediately onto a small road on the left to reach the hamlet of Champels.
At the intersection, follow the street to the right and then immediately to the left. Quickly turn right and walk past the church (open when we passed by, with beautiful contemporary stained glass windows). Cross, drinking troughs, church, blacksmith's shop.
Turn left onto Route du Calvaire to leave the hamlet. At the intersection, turn right and return to the intersection you passed on the way there. Continue for a few metres to find the path leading off to the left, marked^GR®®.

^GR®® Red and White markings

(14) Follow it and enjoy the view before descending from the heights into the undergrowth (some beautiful rock formations).

No markings

(15) As the path approaches a road, and about 150 m before reaching it, leave the^GR®® for a path on the left. The Visorando app is useful on this section. Ignore a path on the left that goes around a bend and then, at the next intersection, turn left downhill. At the intersection, continue downhill to the right and join the hamlet of La Valette (viewpoints) and its access road.

(16) Follow the street for about 20 metres, then, just before a house on the left, take a path and continue downhill towards the Allier. Further down, the path veers south-southeast and runs alongside the old railway line (view of the cliffs on the other side of the Allier), then joins an old quarry.

(17) Continue along the path until you reach an intersection with a path on the left marked with^GR®® and Saint-Jacques signs. (You can walk straight ahead for a few dozen metres along the basalt cliff).

^GR®® Red and White and Saint-Jacques markings

Follow this path, which offers views, and which joins an intersection passed on the way there.

(2) Follow the street on the left to return to the centre of Monistrol. You may wish to visit the old streets, then return to the bridge over the Allier.

(1) Cross the river again and return to the car park near the station (S/E) via the same route you took on the way there.

Hike classified as moderately difficult due to its length, but no particular difficulties. Walking sticks may be useful on some trails.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

To stay in the spirit of Saint-Jacques, beautiful wooden statues in Saugues 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.