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Vals-près-le-Puy walks
The Shepherd's Huts Trail
Discover the Chibottes Valley, a site classified as a landscape of outstanding beauty since 8 March 2016. These small dry stone huts, built from stones cleared from the plots of land, were used as shelters by shepherds and farmers who cultivated orchards and terraced vineyards (known as "chambées").
This trail forms a loop, partly following the Way of St James on the way back.
On the Way of St James from Le Puy-en-Velay to Chanaleilles
First stage of the Way of St James by bike, heading to Chanaleilles from Le Puy-en-Velay. This route follows the Way of St James, avoiding roads with traffic as much as possible and respecting pilgrims on foot. There are, however, a few technical sections that can be avoided by taking the road.
Discovery tour of Le Puy-en-Velay and its monuments
As you follow this route, discover Le Puy-en-Velay (the starting point of the Way of St James) and its monuments: the cathedral, Rocher Corneille and the Statue of Notre-Dame de France, the Chapel of Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe, the cloister, the town hall, the theatre, the Crozatier Museum and the Henri-Vinay Garden.
The Way of St James. Stage 1. Puy-en-Velay / St Privat d'Allier
Twenty to thirty thousand walkers set out from Puy-en-Velay every year to do the pilgrimage along the Way of St. James. Discover the Way of St. James by doing the first stage by foot. You can return to Puy-en-Velay in the evening in a special coach.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Monastier-sur-Gazeille
This route is the first stage of a complete journey along the Chemin de Stevenson between Le-Puy-en-Velay and Alès. Please note that the signposting to follow the Chemin de Stevenson has been modified since 2016. On this first stage, following road repairs on the Le Puy bypass, this description follows this modified itinerary.
Chemin de Stevenson (Robert Louis Stevenson Trail)
A 13-stage journey along the famous route described by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1878 travel notes. This tour follows the complete route from le Puy-en-Velay to Alès.
Mont Denise
Starting from Le Puy-en-Velay, this route takes you to the summit of the volcanic Mont Denise. From the top, there is a breathtaking view of the Polignac fortress, the town of Le Puy and, in the background, the Mézenc massif.
From Le Puy-en-Velay to Lavoûte via Chaspinhac and Saint-Quentin
A very pleasant walk, fully signposted (Voie Verte in Le Puy, then the GR® Red and White trail). The village of Chaspinhac is well worth a visit, and Saint-Quentin is also a must-see. The route is often shaded, which can be very pleasant in summer.
Le Puy-en-Velay, a City of Art and History
Le Puy-en-Velay is a crossroads for several long-distance hiking trails such as theGR®70, the Stevenson Trail, theGR®3Loire Trail, theGR®700, the Regordane Trail and, of course, the Way of St James. As soon as you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay, you can already sense the significant influence that religion has had on the town.
Le Puy-en-Velay marks my first rest day after 15 days of walking on my Way of St James
I discovered a town of Art and History, famous for its lace, its green lentils, its verbena, but above all for its incredible religious heritage.
Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Privat-d'Allier
Sixteenth stage of the Way of St James. From Le Puy-en-Velay to the picturesque village of Saint-Privat-d’Allier, don’t forget to look back and admire the view of the Marian city. Once you arrive in Saint-Privat-d’Allier, you’ll look out over the impressive Gorges de l’Allier and its still-wild river.
Crossing the Velay region and its fields of lentils, as well as the Devès mountain range, is on the itinerary for this stage.
The Polignac Fortress
This loop between Aiguilhe and the village of Polignac, classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France", combines sustained climbs, flat sections and fast descents. As you climb, it offers beautiful views of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and the Polignac Fortress perched on its volcanic hill. Return via the path along the Borne.
The Saint Joseph sanctuary via the Chemin de la Borne
A walk up the right bank of the Borne to reach the monumental statue of Saint Joseph, at the foot of which you will be utterly surprised to discover the panoramic view of the town of Le Puy-en-Velay and its surroundings.
The wild Loire from Coubon via the Serre de la Fare
This hike starts in Coubon, a village that marks the southern boundary of the Puy-en-Velay basin and opens onto the Loire Gorges.The route makes a wide loop around the Serre de la Fare, a site that was the subject of fierce debate between environmentalists and developers over a dam project that was abandoned in 1991.The hike takes place in wild surroundings with remarkable views of the Loire and the Devès plateau.
The Chemin des Sources in Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison
Starting from the pretty little village of Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison, this easy, undemanding hike leads across the plateau through farmland and pastureland to the pretty hamlets of Tallobre, Eycenac and Dolaison. Water is plentiful here, with streams flowing down towards Le Puy-en-Velay. The end of the route is on the GR®65 (Way of St James).