Home » News » This small country in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a true hiking paradise and you won’t need a passport to visit it!

This small country in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a true hiking paradise and you won’t need a passport to visit it!

Who said you have to cross the border to visit a new country?

To satisfy your desire for discovery without even taking out your passport, head to Haute-Loire in the country of Cayres-Pradelles.

Located on the volcanic plateau of Devès as well as the crater of the Allier and Loire gorges, this little piece of France can be explored at walking distance.

Let’s go together on three of his most beautiful tours.

Hiking idea number 1: two of the “most beautiful towns in France” through the Bonnes-Dames rock in the forest (PR154)

  • Distance: 10 km
  • Elevation gain: 334 m D+
  • Time: 3h15
  • Level: easy
  • Departure: Arlempdes (parking recommended at the entrance to the village)
  • Download the PDF file from Creag nam Bonn – Dames in the Woods

Step 1: Arlempdes, the first “The most beautiful town in France”

Sitting proudly atop its impressive basalt flow eighty meters high above the Loire, Arlempdes The walk begins in style.

The town, named “The Most Beautiful Town in France”, can be visited on its beautiful cobbled streets, arranged around its castle building from the 12th century.

The fortress according to an incredible legend, has long existed in Montlaur as an advanced security post for the Rhône valley.

Step 2: Haute-Loire in all its beauty

After visiting the city, go to find the Roche des Bonnes-Dames in the forest (highlighted in yellow).

The path climbs slowly overlooking Arlempdes, revealing a bird’s eye view of the town and its river.

Reaching the plateau of Ligueyre, the scenery changes dramatically, giving way to large areas of meadows, tall grass and wide paths inhabited by the occasional Aubrac cattle.

A real postcard Haute-Loire.

Level 3: Pradelles, second “Most beautiful town in France”

The route then joins the banks of the Loire which meanders quietly at the foot of the fortress of Arlempdes, before heading towards Pradellesthe second “The most beautiful town in France” of the route.

Located in a bend of the river, the historic town was a major trading post in the 13th century before being weakened by the First Years War and major pandemics.

After the merchants and the shepherds, today Pradelles sees hikers on the famous Stevenson Path (GR® 70), and it is one of the levels.

Son historical center it is worth a visit to discover its chapel, its old convent, its mansion and the portals of its ancient ramparts before returning to Arlempdes at the top of its volcanic moat.

Hike idea number 2: Allier Gorge via the Nouveau-Monde circuit (PR 392)

  • Distance: 9.5 km
  • Height gain: 371 m
  • Time: 3 hours
  • Level: easy
  • Departure: Auberge de la Vallée, Saint Haon
  • Download the PDF file of the Way of the New World

From its source in Lozère to its mouth in the Loire, theAllier considered one of the last wild rivers in Europe, free to find its way without being artificially restricted.

Its gorges with rough and steep paths offer themselves as a wonderful playground for people who love to walk.

Please check out this wild situation? West of the Pays de Cayres-Pradelles, the The circle of the new world perfectly marked.

Step 1: on the way to the New World

The only reference is to a small town New World enough to get the imagination going.

The start of the tour is at Saint-Haon, heading towards the sunny plateau around Escublazet before entering the forest.

In the undergrowth, the protruding rocks remind of the volcanic history of the place while the sound of the water becomes louder as the path progresses in a valley

the meeting with the rough waters of the Allier under the town of Nouveau-Monde marking the first scene of the escape.

Step 2: Attack Thord

The route then deals with the Tord’s clutcha prestigious belvedere overlooking the Allier valley and the impressive 260 meter long Chapeauroux viaduct.

A final climb will allow you to reach the fortthe old castle of Montlaur, with access to Saint-Haon via the​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​upon on off in.

Walk on the rails

The New World tour also shows the amazing route of railway which was built in the 19th century in the Allier Gorge.

So the route goes through some of the fields 171 works of art after authorizing the circulation of the ” Cevenol “. The train still connects Clermont-Ferrand and Nice today, after linking Paris to Marseille in the 1950s.

A true display of human ingenuity against the challenges of nature.

Hike idea number 3: Lake Bouchet via the Garou route (PR655)

  • Distance: 5 km
  • Height gain: 174 m
  • Time: 1h30
  • Level: easy
  • Departure: Col de Très car park, Cayres
  • Download the PDF file of the Garou Path

Located at an altitude of 1,205 meters in an old volcano crater, the loch Bouchet a must see in the Cayres-Pradelles area.

This pearl of pure water nicknamed the “blue gem of Devès” is found on a pleasant family trip on the Garou trail.

Step 1: in the woods of Mont Maillon

The the path of the Garou starting at the edge of the lake and rising rapidly through the forest on the slopes of Mont Maillon.

The forest path goes through the pine trees to Croix de la Chèvre and a overview of Devèsthe largest basalt plateau in France.

The portion in the national forest offers a privileged time of relaxation and escape.

Step 2: on the shores of Lake Bouchet

The path then returns to the edges of the sea, the name given to the lakes that were created in an old volcanic crater.

Ses “Blue Flag” waters invite you to take a refreshing dip. The place is also ideal for a picnic holiday before finishing the walk in the forest, on the northern slope of the lake.

Did you know : Lake Bouchet is named after Pierre Brin, a former resident of Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas and owner of a strange secondary residence on the banks of the lake, a large barrel in which he enjoyed his come and take shelter. The unusual residence can still be seen near the track.

To extend the enjoyment around Lake Bouchet

When you leave or when you arrive, don’t forget to take a walk through the room Site house if you want to learn more about the lake, its biodiversity and the different hiking options.

A 3 km walk will also allow the lake walk. The section between the hotel and the beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

4 other easy walks to find in the Cayres-Pradelles area

2024-08-25 11:17:49
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