| Au départ
des Gorges - Distance
= 3.5 km - Marking
= Blue - Highest point = 1000 m - Lowest point = 880 m
Let
yourself be surprised by
the beautiful gorge landscape of "Allier". The village
of "Pradelles" and the "Gorges de l'Allier"
are nice places to visit. The Allier River which is the main
affluent of the Loire, has its source in "Moure de la
Gardille" in the heart of the Mercoire Forest. The train
is the only means of transport having penetrated these gorges
up to now. |
| Circuit
des Balcons du lac - Distance
= 5.5 km - Marking
= Blue - Highest point = 1075 m - Lowest point = 960 m
You
are invited to enjoy the natural heritage you will come across
on these marked trails, i.e. a panoramic view over the Naussac
Lake. This region is known for its bread ovens, fountains
and washing places. |
| Circuit
de l'évèque - Distance
= 6 km - Marking
= Blue - Highest point = 1228 m - Lowest point = 1123 m
Following
this trail lined by woods and meadows, it will lead you to
the ancient estates of a bishop of "Mende". In the
centre of this village you can find the "Notre Dame de
Toutes le Grâces". This chapel offers you a fantastic
view over the large Mercoire Forest and the Langouyrou River. |
| Circuit
de la Reisse - Distance
= 6.5 km - Marking
= Blue - Highest point = 1083 m - Lowest point = 906 m
This
ramble through woods and heathland offers you a gorgeous view
over Langogne and the Naussac Lake. The "Margeride"
landscape which is typical for this region, i.e. Europe's
largest granitic massif, will impress you: a peaceful area
crisscrossed by woods and rivers. |
Le Sentier du
Chateau - Distance
= 7.5 km - Marking
= Blue - Highest point = 1205 m - Lowest point = 980 m
A
trail to discover the left shore of the Allier River as well
as the impressive ruins of the "Chateau de Luc". You
will be following the trail along Allier River representing
the borderline between the two departements of the "Lozere"
and the "Ardeche". You can see the mountain crests
of the "Tanargue" Massif while ascending. The "Village
de Luc" takes pride in its
12th-century castle which belonged to the major families of
the region in the course of the centuries. |
Circuit de la
Croix Blanche - Distance
= 8 km - Marking
= Yellow - Highest point = 1159 m - Lowest point = 1002 m
The
village of "Rocles" that you can visit here was built
on a rocky landscape, thus its name. If you happen to visit
Rocles in mid-September (to join their village festivities),
use the opportunity to try its traditional dish "la maoutcho",
made from pears, mangold, grapes and zwieback. Traditionally,
this menu is to be prepared on this particular day only. |
Circuit du petit
Lac - Distance =
8 km - Altitude
difference = 70 m
After
having passed the golf course of the manor of "Barres",
this trail will lead you along the shore of the "small"
quarry pond of Naussac. Halfway along the route you will find
a bird observatory. |
Circuit de Bessettes
- Distance = 8
km - Altitude difference = 105 m
This
walk will take you along the trails of the communities of "Chastanier"
and "Rocles". You will be passing the "Croix
de Besse" which is one of the 19 crosses counted in the
community of "Rocles". |
Circuit des
Gorges de l'Allier - Distance
= 8 km - Altitude
difference = 60 m
These
hiking trails are close to the main affluent of the Loire, the
Allier River. Moreover, you will be ascending the slope of the
barrage of
Naussac 2 which retains more than 190 million cubic metres
of water at a height of approx. 50 m. |
Circuit du Chapeauroux
- Distance = 8
km - Altitude
difference = 60 m
- Starting
point in "Auroux" where you can visit the church of
"Saint Pierre", the Hall of the 19th century and the
statue of "Notre Dame de Garonne". |
Circuit de la
Croix de Parpaillon - Distance
= 9 km - Marking
= Yellow - Highest point = 1178 m - Lowest point = 994 m
In
the village of "Auroux" which lies in an altitude
of 1000 m at the riverbank of the "Chapeauroux", you
will find a pleasant micro climate. Pierre & Marie Curie
frequented this place for relaxation. "Auroux" is
the canton's community offering the most castles, of which "Soulages"
& "Fabrèges" are exceptionally well worth
seeing. |
Circuit du Langouyrou
- Distance = 9
km - Marking = Yellow - Highest point = 1030
m - Lowest point = 913 m
8
km of hiking trails along the trace of R.L. Stenvenson, the
famous Scottish writer and author. Discover the valley of "Allier"
as well as the deer farm in the hamlet of "Brugeyrolles".
|
Circuit de la
Forêt de Mercoire - Distance
= 9 km - Marking
= Yellow - Highest point = 1411 m - Lowest point = 1264 m
This
hiking trail in the heart of the Mercoire Forest promises a
veritable mystery. There are magnificent trails in the midst
of the most beautiful coniferous forest the departement can
offer. Not more than a few kilometres away from the starting
point you will find a place of fascinating granitic erosion:
"Ron des Egos". |
Circuit de Rocles
- Distance = 9
km - Altitude difference = 160 m
View
over the Naussac Lake, the village of "Pradelles"
and the mountains of the "Ardèche". Starting
point in "Rocles" where you will find the statue of
St. Thècle, which had been a popular figure to address
oneself to in case of toothache. |
Le Circuit de l'art sacré
- Distance = 13.5
km - Marking = Yellow - Highest point 1155
m - Lowest point = 1065 m
On
this trail you will undeniably discover historical testimonies.
"Chastanier" is a very special community combining
7 hamlets with 115 inhabitants and 2 rivers: "Clamouse"
and "Chapeauroux". |
Circuit du Chateau
- Distance = 14
km - Altitude
difference = 190 m
Not
far away from the
starting point (opposite the tourist office) you will be invited
to admire the "Château de Soulages"
dating from the 14th century.
This trail leads you along the ancient uranium mine at "Parpaillon".
A lovely descent between "Malmont" and "Auroux". |
Circuit de Sainte Germaine
- Distance = 15
km - Altitude difference = 200 m
Discover
the spinning museum "Musée de la Filature des Calquières"
in the direct proximity of your starting point. This trail leads
you along the hamlet of "Brugueyrolles" where you
can find a deer farm (possible to visit). A fantastic panoramic
view from the statue of Sainte Germaine near "Choisinets". |
Circuit du Ras Chambon
- Distance = 18
km - Altitude difference = 235 m
This
trail starts in
Naussac and leads you through Langogne. The paths mainly meander
across meadows and along both sides of the Allier River. Furthermore,
you will be bound to admire the ancient railway tracks between
Langogne and "Puy en Velay". |
Circuit des Huttes
- Distance = 25
km -
Altitude difference = 260 m
Passing
the villages of "Saint Flour de Mercoire" and "des
Huttes", you will be lead down a beautiful trail through
the gorges of "Langouyrou". On your way back you can
visit the deer farm in "Brugeyrolles". |
Circuit du tour du Lac de
Naussac - Distance
= 29 km - Altitude
difference = 390 m
Numerous
fantastic views will be open to you along the whole way. You
will pass the waterfall of "Donozau" which is known
for its peacefulness. The way back leads you across mountain
crests and through the village of "Fontanes" from
where you will have a nice view over Allier River, the mountains
of "Velay" and the lake. |
Circuit des Monts du Tartas
- Distance = 35
km - Altitude difference = 435 m
See
Circuit du Ras Chambon. Furthermore, this trails leads
you through the "Monts du Tartas" and the villages
of "Pradelles" (supposedly one of the most beautiful
villages in France) and "Saint Paul de Tartas". |
Circuit de la
Gardille - Distance
= 45 km - Altitude
difference = 570 m
A
detour leading you through the lovely village of "Cheylard
l'Evêque", the site where R.L. Stevenson rested during
his journey across the Cevennes and where the "Beast of
Gévaudan" committed its first raids. A magnificent
view from the peak of the mountain of "Moure de la Gardille",
lying in an altitude of 1503 m. Moreover, this trail leads you
across the Mercoire Forest where the Allier River has its source. |
