| 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. |
