Vichy walks

I suggest a short urban hike to discover Vichy, nicknamed "the Queen of Waters". This circuit takes you through the emblematic streets of Napoleon III's beloved city, lined with beautiful houses of eclectic architecture, as well as the shopping streets of the modern city and the parks along the Allier River. You can quench your thirst at the famous Source des Célestins.

The walk takes you to Bois Coutayon on the border between the municipalities of Vendat and Saint-Pont. In the wild boar park, with a little luck and patience, you may spot wild boars and piglets or deer and fawns!

A lovely walk for those who enjoy combining walking with nature observation. Starting from Saint-Yorre, walk through the pleasant undergrowth following the course of the Andraux stream, then around the Coupe-Gorge and Fonts de Fer stream basins. Open views over the Monts Dômes, the Vichy plain and the Vernet hill.

A lovely walk in any season in fine weather, whether on your own or with the family. You can explore the banks of the River Allier and its magnificent waterholes. The route is largely shaded during the summer months. You can also listen to the song of a wide variety of birds. This route is similar to the “Circular Source Trail” listed by Vichy Community: a fully developed route with rest and picnic areas. Important: Since 1 June 2026, (6) the footbridge running alongside the tracks on the railway bridge at Abrest has been closed to all traffic. This closure is for an indefinite period.

A hike dedicated to water. Flowing water, Ruisseau des Andraux, Allier. Water to drink, Saint-Yorre bottling plant, Source des Célestins. Water with healing properties, Hall des Sources and Grand Établissement Thermal de Vichy. And, depending on the weather, perhaps water falling from the sky?This hike can also be done as a round trip, difficulty: difficult (24 km).

A very pleasant route in all seasons. You will walk through wooded areas at the bottom of the valley, accompanied by the sound of the babbling brook, but also through open areas offering views of the Monts Dômes to the west and the Montagne Bourbonnaise to the east. The passages near the monument to the 11 Martyrs of Goutte Grandval and the Château de Busset give this route a historical appeal.

A very pleasant walk to do alone or with the family. If you enjoy observing nature and listening to its calm, you will be in your element. You will walk at varying distances from the course of the River Allier and its former meander, skirting a magnificent stretch of water with a variety of flora and fauna. Part of the route runs through cultivated land. There is no tarmac except for a few metres at the finish.

A circular route, mostly on tracks and farm roads, starting from Cognat-L'yonne and passing by Rilhat Castle and Monpensier Golf Course. Beautiful view of the Gannat plain on a clear day, of course.

Hike not far from Vichy in the rolling countryside bordering the Sichon Valley, in the foothills of the Livradois-Forez Massif.

A pleasant circular starting from Vieux Saint-Sylvestre, heading to Saint-Priest-Bramefant through the Bois Brun forest and back. Very little tarmac and beautiful scenery on a clear day. An easy hike.

Hike route starting from Molles, a village at the foot of the Bourbonnais mountains, 17km east of Vichy.

Route starting from Isserpent, a small village at the foot of the Bourbonnais mountains, 15 km east of Vichy. An easy hike through the Bourbonnais countryside.

This hike starts in Nizerolles, a small village at the foot of the Monts de la Madeleine. It takes you across the River Jolan three times and partly follows the Tacot de la Montagne Bourbonnaise platform, the former departmental railway line that linked Vichy and Laprugne until 1949.

A pleasant circular loop through the woods, lost in the middle of nowhere. Dogs can be walked off-lead. Just take care at the start and finish. A bit of a climb but also suitable for cycling. Apart from the walk back to the starting point, there are absolutely no roads to cross on the walk.

Hike in the northern foothills of Livradois, known as the Bois Noirs, starting from Châteldon, a village with some beautiful medieval houses.

After a bit of effort due to the initial climb, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the Bois Noirs and the Chaîne des Puys.

A circular route in the commune of Montaigu-le-Blin, voted the most beautiful village in the Allier in 2012. This route allows you to take a leisurely afternoon stroll to discover some of Montaigu’s heritage, including the large wash house, the fortified castle, Presles Castle, the Roman road, the Celtic cross and St Anne’s Church. It has been created by combining several ‘heritage routes’ offered by this small village, where time seems to stand still out of season. On this easy-to-moderate route, which takes just under 3 hours, the effort is sustained and mostly on tarmac, but the breaks to admire the local heritage treasures and the panoramic views allow you to recover. Only the grassy slope between the wash house and the fortified castle is more demanding, but it can be bypassed by climbing up to the fortified castle from the village centre rather than directly from the wash house.

A family hike that passes through the vineyards of Saint-Pourçain.

An easy hike in the hills overlooking Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule, west of the Allier valley, partly following the GR®300 trail with a few short stretches on minor roads. Easy, well-marked and signposted paths. Beautiful views of Saint Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Unshaded route, best avoided during heatwaves.