Vergheas walks

A hike between rivers and woodland hills, in the Combrailles region.

A beautiful hike at the gateway to Auvergne, discovering the small heritage sites and landscapes of Creuse. Discover the flora and fauna of our countryside and stop at pretty viewpoints.

Starting from Courdemanges, this is a magnificent, well-maintained walk through woodland. Note the recent restoration of an old weighbridge, magnificent views and the imposing Croix Tontus in the village of Courdemanges.

Stroll through the Drouille Forest along small paths. Enjoy the magnificent undergrowth and admire several crosses along the way, including the imposing stone cross of Courdemanges.

A circular walk starting from the village. This is a pretty path through woods and meadows with a few hills. A pleasant surprise awaits you on the last four kilometres, where wooden statues have been placed along the route.

This hike offers the chance to discover several wooden statues, magnificent views and various examples of local heritage. You will also pass through the village of Charron with its church and imposing war memorial.

Set off to explore the town of Auzances and the village of La Mérodie. Hiking information sheet available from the Auzances Tourist Office (Place du Marché).

A short, shaded circular loop between woods and meadows, hilly, consisting of very passable dirt tracks and very small roads used by locals. During the walk, you will pass a small pond with tables and benches. Horses may be present on the route.

A short round trip to enjoy the beautiful Gour Saillant waterfall.

A pleasant, short, shaded walk, mainly through woodland, with a point of interest to discover: the site known as Eaux Minérales (a source of iron-rich water, not commercially exploited but showcased). No major difficulty; just a slight elevation gain, with a fairly steep slope at the end of the route. A particularly refreshing walk in summer as it is largely under the cover of trees.

The three-village trail will take you from the village of Chard to the village of Lioux-les-Monges, where you can enjoy beautiful views and visit the Jardin de la Cure. You will finish the hike by crossing the village of Châtelard. Hiking information sheet available from the Auzances tourist office (Place du Marché).

A circular loop through the pastures of the Creuse countryside. Alternating between paths and very small roads. Beautiful views of the countryside. No shade, so avoid this walk in hot weather.

A short family walk, or an opportunity to enjoy a festival around 25 July.

Between steep-sided valleys, unspoilt wilderness and wooded slopes, the Sioule has become a lake thanks to the Fades-Besserve dam. It accompanies us throughout the route with beautiful views of the Sioulet valley and the Combrailles.

Leaving the village of Pontaumur, you will discover the Sioulet, a tributary of the Sioule and a paradise for trout fishermen. The wild gorges will delight lovers of unspoilt nature.

In a sumptuous setting, dominated on one side by the imposing Château de Chouvigny and on the other by the ghostly Château Rocher, you will discover a route that is well worth a detour for its fishing and tourist attractions. Green markings

Along a narrow goat track lined with boxwood forest, this circuit takes you through a wild landscape of gorges, where memories of a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary remain on the banks of the Chat-Cros.

This route will take you to the ruins of the Chartreuse du Port-Sainte-Marie, founded in 1219, passing by the banks of the Sioule and its meanders.

A short walk to discover the site of Vieux Bourg, a pleasant hamlet on the lake shore, with a beautiful old church decorated with numerous Byzantine-inspired frescoes.

This short hike also gives you the opportunity to discover the charming village of Chambon-sur-Voueize. The walk can be done as a circular route, but only the first half runs along the Voueize gorges. For once, I vote for a return trip to enjoy the scenery along the banks twice.

From Pontgibaud and the beautiful medieval architecture of Château Dauphin, you will travel through the mysterious landscapes of the Cheire de Pontgibaud, one of the most beautiful lava flows in the Chaîne des Puys.