Viscomtat walks

A pleasant, mostly shaded walk leading to a magnificent panorama from the summit (granite chaos at an altitude of 1,260 metres).

Hidden in the heart of the Bois Noirs, the Pierre aux Deux Yeux (Two-Eyed Stone) watches over the unwary hiker. If you escape it, the majestic old oak tree will grant you some of its serenity. Then take a break at the foot of the Roc du Guet rock formation, a place conducive to meditation.

An easy walk through fields and woods to discover a beautiful rock formation, the Autel de la Baronnie, with its wobbly stone, armchairs and potholes, followed by a large majestic oak tree at the Ferme de la Gilbernie.

A walk in the Netrablaise countryside, across fields, from hamlet to hamlet, to discover an old and majestic chestnut tree.

A gentle hike to start your holiday in the Forez mountains.

A trail themed around cutlery. As you follow the Durolle, you’ll step back in time as you discover the waterwheels, a type of mill powered by the river’s flow. They reveal the valley’s rich industrial past. The arrival of electrification in the 20th century eventually brought an end to these waterwheels.

A family-friendly route for a breath of fresh air in the Dole forest at Chausseterre. A shaded route, very pleasant on hot days. It has its charms in other seasons, too. This is a route marked by Urfé Random and the Pays d’Urfé Community of Communes with the number 28.

For much of this route, it is clear why we are walking through the Bois Noirs, as the light sometimes struggles to penetrate the foliage. In other places, however, tree felling has opened up the view, and the number of logs stacked along the paths is impressive.

The Giant of the Bois Noirs, whose summit is often shrouded in clouds or mist, can be approached from Lavoine or Saint-Priest-la-Prugne. For this walk, we chose to approach it via Palladuc. It is a fairly strenuous walk, but one that guarantees peace and quiet, wide open spaces and sweeping views over this part of the beautiful Auvergne region.

This first stage of the Chemin de Sainte-Agathe gives us the opportunity to take different PR®® trails. We pass through charming little hamlets: Lamouroux, Sardier, Grand Cognet, Laurençon and cross a few streams. Beautiful trees line the route, as well as numerous views of the Chaîne des Puys.From the village of Vollore-Ville, passing close to the castle, we descend towards the plain and reach the Gîte des Quatre Vents via the hamlet of Sauvetat.

Thiers is a city of challenges. In this grandiose and isolated location in the heart of Auvergne, the inhabitants of Thiers have had to contend with a turbulent river, the Durolle, and the steep slopes of its gorges. Over time, thanks to numerous developments, this partially tamed river has ensured the industrial prosperity of the town, which is known as the cutlery capital of France.

For the second stage of the route, we reach the right bank of Lake Aubusson, and after crossing the dam we follow aPR® path that climbs gently to take us to the village of Augerolles. We pass by the Pied de Bœuf site and reach the village of Olmet. We pass the Chamaly cross and descend gently towards the Dore valley to reach Olliergues town hall via a stepped street (Rue des Cors).

A pleasant walk in summer due to its coolness. The stream is well known to fishermen and, for the lucky ones, a few chanterelle mushrooms can be found. This is the domain of wild boars and deer... Pass through old villages such as La Terrasse (very old house on the right), which was very important at the beginning of the 20th century. A victim of rural depopulation, Montolas is now in ruins!

A hike in the heart of nature to discover a place steeped in history in the Dore river valley, on the borders of the Pays de Courpière, Cunlhat and Olliergues, in the heart of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park. Part of the route follows "the old path", the ancient medieval road that linked Meymont to Cunlhat via Tours Sur Meymont through Alligier, Les Gouttes, etc.

Today, the only remains still visible of the presence of the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem, who were here from the Middle Ages until the French Revolution of 1789, are scattered: a deconsecrated church, a stone coat of arms serving as a base for a wayside cross, a round tower fitted with a gun port in a former fortified house, a chapel converted into a dwelling, and a few carved stones on the edge of a communal plot. Nothing suggested that the former parish of Courtesserre, which was merged with that of Courpière during the Revolution, would be home to a ‘chief’ commandery in a sparsely populated region described as infertile, far from any town, major transport route or path leading to a place of pilgrimage.

Over two days, discover one of the most beautiful destinations in “France à Cheval”.

On snowshoes or on foot, from the Col du Béal to the summit of Pierre-sur-Haute through the forest. Return via the ridges, still on theGR®3or a variant thereof.

A beautiful circular walk starting from the Fossat valley.

Stage 2: the most beautiful stage of the route. Spectacular, with heathland stretching as far as the eye can see, a boundless 360° view where stunted pines bend under the “burle”. Photos, scents – set aside the whole day. GR®3route, partly well signposted.

The lodges or shepherd's huts, located on the Hautes Chaumes, were summer pasture buildings from May to October. To get to the start of the hike, after passing the hamlet of Nermond, 200 m away, in a straight line, at the crossroads of this road with the Route de la Combe on the right, turn more to the right and take a stony path, heading for the calvary. Park at the bottom or in the cornfields on the left-hand side of the uphill path.

A walk in the Monts du Forez, towards the Hautes Chaumes, passing through heathland dotted with heather and blueberry bushes, then through forests.

An ideal hike to do in the morning to enjoy the coolness of the undergrowth, sheltered from the rising sun. You will overlook the Chalmazelloise valley, the Haut Lignon valley and, in the distance, the summit of Pierre sur Haute. Your attention will be drawn to the numerous blueberry fields.

From the top of Roc de l'Olme, a rock climbing spot, you can admire the view overlooking Chalmazel and the Lignon valley. The sound of streams will accompany your steps.

“Here, more than anywhere else, one perceives the notion of infinity, and the concept of solitude takes on a new dimension.” This is how the famous geneticist Axel Kahn expressed his feelings during his journey through the Monts du Forez.

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.