The 10 walks

Follow in the footsteps of the old hawkers in the Hautes-Chaumes area, from the Col des Supeyres. Discover the open landscapes of the Hautes-Chaumes and visit traditional Jasseries, including the Jasserie du Coq Noir. This hike is accessible to all and combines cultural richness with simplicity.

The “Le colporteur des Jasseries” walk in Valcivières is a magnificent 9.5 km excursion lasting around 3 hours. This loop begins and ends at the Col des Supeyres, signposted“Petit Lapin”, guiding hikers through the vast Hautes-Chaumes. Following in the ancient footsteps of the peddlers, you’ll discover traditional Jasseries scattered along the route. These historic buildings offer a glimpse of rural life in the past, when animals and people lived together under the same roof during the summer months.

The route also takes you through beech forests and open moorland.

Follow the Chemin des Papetiers in the Ambert area, where you’ll pass several old paper mills, including the Richard de Bas mill, which is still in operation. This walk is accessible to all, perfect for a rewarding family outing.

The “Chemin des Papetiers” in Ambert is an unmissable 7km loop, lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes. It takes you along a historic route where thepaper industry has left its mark since the end of the 15th century. With a difference in altitude of +267m and -267m, this medium-level walk is ideal for a morning or afternoon of discovery.

The yellow signposts guide walkers past historic mills that bear witness to the region’s former paper-making glory. Among the highlights, the Moulin de Valeyre and Petit-Vimal offer an insight into how rag paper was made.

The path, lined with streams, is dotted with views of the Livradois-Forez mountains. The walk culminates in breathtaking views over the plain of Ambert. A must for walkers interested in France’sindustrial history and rural landscapes.

Take a trip to the Bois Noirs, near Thiers. The Rocs, promontories with views of the distant summits, set the pace for your hikes in the Thiers mountains. Two loops of around 17 km will take you from 611 to 1183 m. Breathe in the scents of the fir forests and contemplate breathtaking landscapes. You’ll come across some royal milestones. All the while admiring the workshop-houses with their large glass roofs, witness to the intense activity of the home-based cutlers. You’ll also learn about the history of the Cave du Loup and much more besides. Before a well-deserved rest in a charming guest room, where you can enjoy the silence of a welcoming mill, toast with honeys and jams… Everything will make you want to come back.

Follow the steep gorges of Thiers down to the Durolle, a source of energy for the old cutlery wheels. This challenging walk takes you up the factory valley and past the Creux de l’Enfer, a centre for contemporary art.

The “De l’Enfer aux rouets” hike in Thiers is an 11.4km adventure lasting 4 hours and 15 minutes. It is classified as a difficult walk, with an ascent of over 500 metres. It offers a deep immersion into the “valley of the factories”.

The route begins by winding its way up the valley until it reaches Le Creux de l’Enfer, a former cutlery factory that has been converted into a contemporary art centre. Continuing through shady gorges populated by oak trees, the trail leads hikers to discover the historic spinning wheels that bear witness to Thiers’ industrial era. There are many panoramic views of Thiers and the Sancy mountains, as well as views of the Chaîne des Puys.

Discover the Billom area on a hike offering 360° panoramic views, including the famous Chapelle de la Salette. Pass through the picturesque historic centre of Billom on a route that is physically challenging, but still accessible to all.

The Petit Turluron walk in Billom is a 9.5 km exploration lasting around 2h30. It is graded as being of medium difficulty, with an ascent of 267m.

The route takes you past orchards and along vineyards, before quickly reaching the summit of Petit Turluron at an altitude of 542 metres. This highest point offers a 360° panorama of Clermont-Ferrand, the Limagne plain, the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif and much more.

You’ll alternate between woodland and field walks, passing medieval ruins and small villages such as Petit Turluron.

Discover the high plateaux and wooded massifs of the Haut-Livradois on this demanding hike. From the hamlet of Deux Frères in Échandelys, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Puy range, the Sancy massif and the Cézallier plateau from an orientation table.

The “Panoramas” hike at Échandelys, a demanding 12.9 km loop, perfect for hikers looking for total immersion. Starting and finishing at Échandelys, this 4-hour hike passes through a variety of landscapes and offers breathtaking views of the Sancy volcanoes and Livradois mountains.

With a positive difference in altitude of 318 metres, the route begins with the discovery of an ancient Roman road, before leading on to the Deux Frères lookout point. Here you can take a break and admire the panorama. The stages of the route are dotted with charming little villages such as Fiosson, where the steep paths offer new challenges before reaching yet more breathtaking viewpoints.

Discover the Ance valley, a landscape shaped by the river Ance. This relatively strenuous hike will take you to the Creux de l’Oulette waterfall and past the spectacular Montpeloux site, located in a former basalt quarry.

The hike from Creux-de-l’Oulette to Saillant is a great getaway for those who want to combine hiking and discovering geological heritage. The route is 12.1 km long and takes around 3 hours (and 15 minutes) to complete. This moderately-difficult loop promises a 354-metre ascent and descent. The trail starts and finishes in Saillant, passing through the communes ofÉglisolles, Saint-Romain and La Chaulme, and marks an ideal route for those looking to combine physical activity with cultural exploration.

One of the highlights of this walk is undoubtedly the passage through the Volcan de Montpeloux, where visitors can admire the basalt organs in the old quarry, now transformed into a natural amphitheatre that hosts cultural events during the summer.

The Tour de Courcourt offers a pleasant walk for all abilities. It offers spectacular views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Limagne plain, making it an ideal place to watch the sun set. However, it should be noted that the site can be very hot in summer and lacks shade.

The “Tour de Courcourt” walk in Seychalles is a 7.3km route, which will delight you with its exceptional panoramic views from the top of the Courcourt hill, which rises to 463 metres. The loop takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete and is of medium difficulty, with a difference in altitude of +141m and -141m.

The path winds through gardens, orchards and vineyards. The ascent reveals a vast panorama over the Limagne plain, punctuated by notable landmarks such as Pierre-sur-Haute, Thiers and Bois Noirs, as well as the châteaux of Mauzun and Ravel.

The orientation tables at the top of the Tour de Courcourt enhance the experience by providing details of the various viewpoints visible.

Try climbing Grün de Chignore, a wooded mountain crowned by a rocky peak offering breathtaking panoramic views. Close to Pierre Pamole, this challenging hike is an invitation to discover the natural beauty of Vollore-Ville.

The “Le Grün de Chignore” hike in Vollore-Ville is a demanding 15.8 km route, ideal for hikers looking for a challenge. With a difference in altitude of over 660 metres, this 5.5-hour loop follows an ancient Roman road through a forest that was recently created in the 20th century.

The climb up to Grün de Chignore is punctuated by viewpoints over the Limagne plain, with panoramic views of the Sancy massif and the surrounding area. The return journey takes you along little-travelled paths winding through moorland and forest landscapes.

Discover Mont Bar, an ancient strombolian volcano with a unique peat bog at its centre. Although short, this hike is physical and rewards you with breathtaking views and a glimpse of local history near the village of Allègre and its ruined castle.

This peak, culminating at 1,175 metres, is famous for its crater, home to a peat bog that is unique in Europe.

The trail begins with an ascent through lush forest, reaching the Mont Bar crater where an interpretation trail leads around the entire peat bog. The walk is also enhanced by a visit to the ruins of Allègre castle, dominating the village with its remains and its“Potence“, a remarkable architectural feature. The walk combines nature, history and culture in a spectacular volcanic setting.