Pnr Livradois Forez Jda3892 Photo J.damase
Livradois.v 887a2321Touringon foot
Pnr Livradois Forez Jda3892 Photo J.damaseWalking tour :Letting go of control through touring
Imagine walking in the fresh air, surrounded by breathtaking panoramas. Hiking in the great outdoors is more than just a walk- it’s a real wellness cure for body and soul.
Unlike traditional hiking, itinerant hiking offers you a unique travel experience, where the adventure unfolds over several days. You move from one stage to the next, linking different points of interest, without having to retrace your steps. Rather than simply going on a day trip, you walk from one place to another, carrying your own equipment or relying on portage services.
This form of hiking immerses you more deeply in nature, with each day a new opportunity to discover new landscapes and adapt to the rhythm of the trail. You’ll feel a real sense of freedom and disconnection, as you leave your daily routine behind and embark on a long-term journey, where every step brings you closer to what’s essential.
The physical effort and autonomy you’ll be mobilising will increase your sense of achievement tenfold, while the diversity of the terrain and landscapes you’ll be crossing will enrich every moment of your experience.
So, are you up for the challenge?
Discover the legendary GR®3 trail in the heart of the Monts du Forez125 km over 7 days
The GR®3 is the first signposted long-distance footpath in France. It follows the course of the Loire, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, for 1,200 km. It starts at its source, Mont Gerbier de Jonc, and continues to its estuary at Guérande. The stretch through the Monts du Forez will take you from panorama to panorama, each one breathtaking, between peat bogs, moors, winding rivers and vast open spaces as far as the eye can see… This 125-kilometre stretch takes 7 days to cover from Chabreloche to Retournac. But of course, you can tailor your route to suit your own intensity. Discover the legendary GR®3 trail in the heart of the Monts du Forez:
Pierre Pamole Img 8693Follow the guide:three other week-long itinerant tours
The Chemin de Montaigne, GR®89 - the most philosophical of hikes in Livradois-Forez117km over 6 days
For the more contemplative, the GR®89, or Chemin de Montaigne, offers a philosophical walk: Le Chemin de Montaigne, in the footsteps of the philosopher. This 117-kilometre route retraces Michel de Montaigne ‘s journey from Rome to Bordeaux in 1581. It is interspersed with texts by Montaigne and historical accounts that allow us to see the places he passed through through his eyes. There are several stages along the way, each around ten kilometres long, in the Livradois Forez region.
In the south of the Livradois-Forez region: the GR®de pays - Dress of burlap and chain mail163 km over 9 days
Finally, the GR® de Pays Robe de bure et cote de mailles plunges walkers into a medieval atmosphere all the way to the Haute-Loire. This 163km trail, halfway between a hike and a pilgrimage, takes you in the footsteps of the knights and monks of the Middle Ages. Twenty-eight religious buildings, including the abbey of La Chaise-Dieu, rival each other for their architecture, frescoes and furnishings. Seven châteaux, including that of the Marquis de la Fayette, hero of American Independence. Raise your helmets, the journey begins, noble companions!
The Tour de Pays on foot, from the Forez mountains to the Livradois mountains120 km over 6 days
On this tour, you can admire the Chaîne des puys – Faille de Limagne from the Col des Supeyres and the Col du Béal, the Alps from the Monts du Forez and the Bassin de la Dore from the Monts du Livradois. You’ll discover the natural environments that make up the richness of the Auvergne Regional Nature Park: the high-altitude moorlands of the Hautes-Chaumes, peat bogs, alluvial forests, hetraies, small mid-mountain rivers… And that’s not all, you’ll also be able to feel the discreet presence of man through the high-altitude jasseries, the typical sheepfolds that dot the landscape. Along the way, be sure to pass by Ambert’s unusual round town hall, where you can stop to taste the delicious Fourme d’Ambert PDO cheese. An experience that will awaken your senses and enrich your journey with a gourmet touch!
Find accommodationA warm welcome for travellers on foot
The Livradois-Forez is also a welcoming place for hikers! Along the trails, you’ll find plenty of accommodation, gîtes, refuges and campsites ready to offer you a well-deserved rest after a day’s walking. Each stage will be an opportunity for you to recharge your batteries, share your adventures with other hiking enthusiasts, and savour the delicious local specialities.
The accommodation you’ll come across is often run by local enthusiasts who know exactly what hikers need. Whether you need a refreshing night’s sleep or a few days’ rest, these establishments will offer you all the comfort you need to get off to a good start. And so that you can make the most of your itinerary, some even offer luggage transport services, so that you can walk light and with peace of mind.
