Short Hikes and Viewpoints

Introduction | Short Hiking Trails | Nice Viewpoints | Links

On this page I list a number of short hiking trails and some nice viewpoints that can be accessed easily by car.

Introduction

Slowly but surely we are getting on in years (over 70...), and thus, have to change our hiking activities in the Haute Loire a bit for health reasons. Many PR that we used to hike have become too long or too difficult for us. So we have to look for alternatives to discover the beauty of the Haute Loire for ourselves. For this reason, I have started to collect short hiking trails (or walks) and beautiful viewpoints that can be easily reached by car, in order to have a basis for our walks and drives.

The short hiking trails can be created in very different ways:

as sections of well-known hiking trails, typically from PRs
as local short walks offered by some towns or villages
as completely new trails put together by us, discovered in one way or another.

The viewpoints are well known viewpoints or ones that we have discovered on our own. Sometimes, they can also be the starting point for shorter walks.

For now, I will only describe the walking trails and viewpoints textually. In the not so near future I hope to add maps and maybe photos.

Short Hiking Trails

"Greater area" Saint-Julien-Chapteuil (or Sumène)

PR 59 Les Deux Sucs (with abbreviations) (√ partially, long ago)

Access: Depending on the starting point from Yssingeaux or Queyrières (parking in les Ollières) or on the D7 from Yssingeaux or Piallevalles/Recharinges (parking at la Pervenchèr).
Starting point: Parking la Pervenchère, alternatively (but further...) parking in les Ollières
Route: From the parking lot la Pervenchère follow the PR 59; between point 2 and 3 or after the Suc take the road back to the parking lot (GR); in the middle you can also change to a path at a house a little closer to the Suc des Ollières (see map!).
Length: unknown, varies depending on the variant
Shortcuts: You can walk different variants (depending on the map and version of the TopoGuide): (1) the shortest one is to walk around the Suc des Ollières (with and without climbing Suc des Ollières); you can take the road (name unknown) between points 2 and 3 or after the Suc to avoid the detour to les Valentines (and on to Ollières if you parked there). (2) A wide loop around the Suc des Ollières runs from the parking lot to the D42, briefly on the D42, then toward les Valentins and back on the road to the parking lot or in the middle at a house closer to the Suc des Ollières and the parking lot.
Special features: Sucs of Yssingeaux, especially the Suc des Ollières.

Saint-Pierre-Eynac to Les Sauces (√ 2021)

Access: Drive to Saint-Pierre-Eynac (D28)
Starting point: Parking at the Amuse Bouche or at the cemetery; start from Amuse Bouche (restaurant, after dinner...).
Directions: to the view above the village (direction Madonna), if necessary branch off to the great quarry; then go to the cemetery and walk to les Sauces (through the forest) and back to the car on the road (because of views that the driver can never enjoy). Depending on the parking place, back to the cemetery or to the amuse bouche.
Length: unknown (3-5 km, depending on the variant).
Shortcuts: (1) From Amuse Bouche go directly to the cemetery; (2) do not sidestep to the quarry.
Special features: Views above Saint-Pierre-Eynac and at Les Sauces.

PR 190 Peylenc (with abbreviations) (√ 2022)

Access: Drive to Tournecol, for example via les Bastides (located on the D15; coming from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil).
Starting point: "Village square" of Tournecol (park there).
Directions: from the village square, walk towards Marnhac (GR), then turn left and walk to the quarry; then follow PR 190; behind Eynac, walk up the road to Tournecol.
Length: unknown; it took us 3 hours to walk the path with shortcut (1).
Shortcuts: (1) Behind Eynac, go directly on the road to Tournecol; (2) you can go directly to the quarry without the views to the south at Tournecol; this saves some meters!
Special features: Views at Tournecol, quarry with basalt columns, Peylenc caves, Rocher d'Eynac, water mill at the Sumène river (before Tournecol).

PR 191 Autour de Monac (with abbreviation) (√ 2021)

Access: To Sumène (where we camp).
Starting point: our campsite in Sumène, otherwise on the road to the Sumène bridge or somewhere in the village
Directions: From the village of Sumène, cross the Sumène at the crossroads, take the turnoff to Pistouvayre (you can also go directly to Monnac as PR 191 does), walk a short distance on the D28 (left), follow the road to the village of Monnac, leave the village towards Suc de Monac, go past Monac through the forest near la Visade, go down the road to les Sauces, follow the footpath down to Sumène, then go back to Sumène (italic = deviation from PR 191).
Length: unknown
Shortcut: go directly to Monnac (as part of the return trail runs); this trail is only a fraction of PR 191!
Special features: Direct view of the Suc de Monac, and also views from further away.

Sentier Botanique near Bouchit (√ a couple of years ago)

Access: Bouchit (D152) direction Queyrières
Starting point: beginning of the Sentier Botanique (signposted; parking there)
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none
Extensions: You can walk on the front Mezier mountain to a scree field with very nice views to the south.
Special features: Forest, view to the south if you go to the scree field; local sentier, only partially visible on the IGN map!

PR 199 Monedeyres (with Abbreviations) (√ a couple of years ago)

Access: Querières (D18), Raffy (D18), La Banque (house); alternative access via Monedeyres (D152; from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil), Queyrières and Raffy (D18) to La Banque.
Starting point: La Banque (house) (park there)
Directions: From la Banque follow PR 199 towards Queyrières until it is clearly visible with the volcanoes behind it; we often go as far as la Roche house and a little further for a view to the north.
Length: 4-5 km
Shortcuts: The trail between la Banque and Queyrières is only a small part of PR 199: you can go from La Banque via Raffy towards Querières and back again (especially nice in the evening).
Special features: Meadows in bloom with many flowers and butterflies (spring, summer), view of the Meygal massif, view of Querières and the two Mezères volcanoes (and beyond); view to the north if you go further.

PR 199 Monedeyres 2 (√ 2021).

Access: from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil on the D152 to Monedeyres (park somewhere in the village).
Starting point: Any parking place in Monedeyres
Directions: From Monedeyres, go north on the GR through the village; you can also go to the bridge in a bend (at les Hautes) and from there go through les Hautes and continue upwards, until you meet the GR again. The GR goes north on the D152 (Querières); follow it briefly on the road (nice view) and then branch off to le Mas; after le Mas you meet PR 199, which you follow to Monedeyres.
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None
Special features: Meadows in bloom with many flowers and butterflies (spring, summer), views of the Meygal massif and of Querières.

PR 189/512 At the Testavoire (√ 2023, 2022)

Access: Via the D18 from Querères and the forest road to the park and picnic area at Testavoire.
Starting point: Park and picnic area at Testavoire
Directions: From the parking lot, follow PR 189 downhill until a trail turns left (about 500 m); turn left until you meet PR 512; follow it to the left (uphill) until you reach the forest road; return to the parking lot on the forest road.
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none
Special features: View of the Testavoire; many flowers and butterflies along PR 512 and the forest road.

At the Testavoire to the Hut of the Copains (√ 2022)

Access: via the D18 from Querères and the forest road to the park and picnic area at the Testavoire.
Starting point: Parking and picnic area at the Testavoire
Directions: from the parking lot, follow a ski slope downhill to the second closed forest road; walk on the forest road to the hut; return the same way.
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none
Special features: Forest trail; flowers and butterflies along the trail and forest road.

From les Couderts to Bard (√ 2021)

Access: From the direction of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil on the D15 to les Couderts.
Starting point: Parking at les Couderts near the D15
Route: From the parking lot at les Couderts, go east past the castle hill and through Bourgeneuf, La Faye, Bard, Chaumard; from there, return to les Couderts.
Length: 5.5 km
Shortcuts: None
Special features: View of Chapteuil, former sawmill, several villages.

Mill Walk at Neyzac (√ 2021)

Access: from the direction of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil on the D15 to les Couderts.
Starting point: Parking at les Couderts near the D15
Directions: See map at the parking lot
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: See map at parking lot
Special features: View of the Chapteuil, former sawmill, about 7 old mills (or ruins of them...).

Ascent of the Chapteuil Hill at les Couderts (√ a couple of years ago)

Access: From the direction of Saint-Julien-Chapteuil on the D15 to les Couderts.
Starting point: Parking lot at les Couderts near the D15.
Directions: See the map at the parking lot
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: See the map at the parking lot
Special features: View from Chapteuil of the countryside below, basalt rocks on the castle hill.

PR 517 La Croix de l'Etoile (with abbreviation) ( √ 2022, many years ago)

Access: Drive to Montusclat via Boussoulet (D150 and D153) or Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and La Pradette Haute (D150 and D153).
Starting point: Parking at the cemetery in front of the village/Parking in the village
Directions: Follow the PR 517
Starting point: Cemetery of Montusclat/parking in the village
Length: 4.7 km (6 km in our opinion)
Shortcuts: You can leave out the mountain with the Croix de l'Etoile pilgrimage site (it goes up a bit...), but that would be a shame!
Special features: Hike partly in the forest, view towards Mezènc, Croix de l'Etoile pilgrimage site.

PR 694 Le Sentier des Etoiles (Betz) (√ 2023, 2022)

Access: On the D150 from Saint-Julien-Chapteuil via the D49 to the parking lot at the Betz observatory.
Starting point: Parking at the observatory of Betz, but also any other place along the way in Betz.
Directions: From the parking lot at the observatory follow the PR 694; Variant (1): From point 6 on the map in the TopoGuide follow a GR until you meet again the PR 694; Variant (2): Follow the PR 694 further to Auteyrac, behind Auteyrac at houses take a path to the right (southeast) until you meet again the PR 694.
Length: unknown, varies depending on variant
Shortcuts: You can go different variants; the shortest is variant (1), the second shortest variant (3), the whole PR 694 is 7.8 km long and still goes to Saint-Julien-Chapteuil and goes along the Ruisseau de Ribe before it goes west and returns to Betz.
Special features: Observatory of Betz, beautiful views.

Freycenet-la-Tour, Richtung Mezènc

PR 589 L'étang des Barthes (√ 2023, 2022, 2021)

Access: Via D500 from Freycenet-la-Tour or from the direction of les Estables.
Starting point: Parking lot or picnic area at the l'étang des Barthes
Directions: Follow the local trail around l'étang des Barthes or the eastern part of PR 589: past the windmills, through the forest to the high trail above the valley of the mine and along l'étang des Barthes.
Length: 3-4 km
Shortcuts: none
Special features: Huge windmills (5 of them), very nice view of the valley of the Mine river, l'étang des Barthes (used to breed frogs, now probably fish), views towards Mezènc.

Mezènc

From the parking lot at Mont d'Alambre to Croix de Peccata and (by a slightly different route) back (√ 2023, 2021).

Access: Via D274 or starting from les Estables on the D274.
Starting point: Ski parking at Mont d'Alambre (D274)
Directions: Follow PR58 to Croix de la Plonge (quite a climb at first!), then turn right to Croix de Peccata (view); return parallel to the road (D274) to the parking lot (there are several options)
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None
Variant: At the Croix de la Plonge go straight on and either follow the draille to the forest road or continue in the forest until you reach the forest road.
Special features: Views of Mont Mezènz and to the north and northwest, many flowers and butterflies in summer

From Croix de Peccata to Mont d'Alambre and back (√ 2022).

The previous route in the opposite direction, parking at Croix de Peccata if possible, otherwise at "secondary parking" at the edge of the forest

From the "secondary parking" near the Croix de Peccata on the edge of the forest towards Col de Boutières and back (√ 2022).

Access: Via D274 or starting from les Estables on the D274.
Starting point: Second parking lot at the edge of the forest at Croix de Peccata (D274)
Directions: Follow the path at the edge of the forest (as long as you feel like it) or walk to the Croix de Boutières.
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None
Special features: Views of Mont Mezènz and to the north and northwest, many flowers and butterflies in summer

From Croix de Boutières along the edge of the forest towards Croix de Peccata and back (√ 2022).

The previous trail in reverse, parking at Croix de Boutières; walk as far as the trail is "trail-able", then turn back or walk to Croix de Peccata

From Croix de Boutières in the forest, partly with views, and back (√ 2023, 2022).

Access: Via the D400 from Ardeche or the D671 from Les Estables (Haute Loire).
Location: Parking at Mezènc (Ardeche) at Croix de Boutières on D671/400
Directions: Follow the path (GR) on the forest, then path 9; leave it too until you are back on the GR; turn right until you reach a meadow, then turn 90° and go up the path until it meets the old paths again and goes back to the Croix de Boutières
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: On the way out, do not take the turnoffs, but follow the GR.
Special features: Views of Mont Mezènz and to the north and northwest?, many flowers and butterflies in summer; can be combined with viewpoint...

Direction Loire

PR 305 Le Tour d'Artias (√ long ago).
Access: Depending on the starting point, via Retournac (D103) or Chamalières-sur-Loire (D103) to le Corset.
Starting point: Parking in le Corset
Directions: Follow PR 305
Length: 2 km
Shortcuts: None
Special features: Chateau d'Artias ruins with beautiful views of the Loire Valley.

Walks on former railroad lines

Tanscevenole: Lantriac Station to Priouret (North) (√ 2023, 2022)

Access: Take the D15 in the direction of les Pandraux, turn off in the direction of Lantriac (D28/36) and then take the direction of le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (D28) until you reach the former railroad station of Lantriac.
Starting point: Parking at the former railroad station of Lantriac
Directions: Follow the course of the Tanscevenole to the north (Viaduc de Roure, Tunnel de Roure (former cheese warehouse)); our end point was the picnic area of Priouret
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none, you can walk as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Views of the ruins of Servissac and of the valley of the Gagne.

Tanscevenole: Lantriac Station to bridge over D28 (South) (√ 2023)

Access: Take the D15 in the direction of les Pandraux, turn in the direction of Lantriac (D28/36) and then take the direction of le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (D28) until you reach the former station of Lantriac
Starting point: Parking at the former railroad station of Lantriac
Directions: Follow the course of the Tanscevenole to the south, past Couteaux, to the bridge over the D28
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none, you can walk as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Views; can also be walked in the reverse direction from the bridge over the D28!

Tanscevenole: From the Bridge via D28 to Viaduc des Badioux (√ 2023, 2022)

Access: Take the D15 in the direction of les Pandraux, turn in the direction of Lantriac (D28/36) and then in the direction of le Monastier-sur-Gazeille (D28) until the bridge of the Galoche over the D28
Starting point: Parking at the bridge over the D28.
Directions: Follow the course of the Tanscevenole to the south, past several railroad guards' houses, past the station of les Badioux toViaduc des Badioux
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: none; you can walk as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Views

Tanscevenole: From Viaduc de la Recoumène (√ a long time ago).

Access: Drive to le Monastier-sur Gazeille (there are various options...), follow the D500 east (towards les Estables) until the parking lot at the Viaduc de la Recoumène.
Starting point: Parking at the Viaduc de la Recoumène parking lot.
Directions: Follow the course of the Tanscevenole over the Viaduc de la Recoumène to the south, pass Avouac, until you reach a long tunnel through which we have never passed...
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None; you can go as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Viaduc de la Recoumène, views.

Galoche: Beaulieu to Adiac (√ 2021).

Access: Drive to Beaulieu (for example D7 from Rosières) and park there.
Starting point: From the parking lot (for example at the church) walk to the Galoche track.
Directions: Follow the course of the Galoche to the east until Adiac (direction Rosières)
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None; you can walk as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Church in Beaulieu, views, chateau in Adiac.

Galoche: Rosières to Adiac

Access: Drive to Rosières (e.g. D35 from le Pertuis) and park there at the bus parking lot and the former Galoche train station.
Starting point: Walk from the parking lot to the Galoche (to the west)
Directions: Follow the course of the Galoche to the west until Adiac (direction Beaulieu)
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None; you can go as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Cemetery with calvaire in Rosières, views, chateau in Adiac.

Galoche: Rosières to quarry (√ 20??).

Access: drive to Rosières (e.g. D35 from le Pertuis) and park there at the bus parking lot and former Galoche railway station
Starting point: walk east from the parking lot towards Ravin de Courboef.
Directions: Follow the course of the Galoche to the east until you reach a large quarry (or not...)
Length: unknown
Shortcuts: None; you can go as long as you feel like it....
Special features: Cemetery with calvaire in Rosières, views, viaducts for the Galoche (probably 2).

City and village tours

Le Puy (big, difficult to find a parking place...)
Le Monastiere-sur-Gazeille
Saint-Julien-Chapteuil
Tence
Yssingeaux (difficult to find a parking place...)
Moudeyres (thatched roof houses, museum), Bigorre (from obligatory parking lot; thatched roof houses, museum)

Nice Viewpoints

Croix de Peccata (at the Mezènc)

Access: Via D274 from Chadeyrolles or les Estables
Location: Parking close to the Mezènc (Ardeche) at the Croix de Peccata on D671/400
Special features: View from Pic du Lizieux in the west to Dents du Diable, la Roche Pointue and la Grosse Roche in the east; in the background on days with good viewing conditions "Vue des Alpes"; starting point for mountain climbing and hiking.
Altitude: 1569 m

Croix de Boutières (at the Mezènc)

Access: Via D400 from Ardeche or D671 from Les Estables (Haute Loire)
Location: Parking at the Mezènc (Ardeche) at the Croix de Boutières on D671/400
Special features: View of Cirque des Boutières, Ardeche mountains (including the Gerbier de Jonc); starting point for mountain climbing and hiking; with booth (and restaurant) to stop at in summer.
Altitude: 1506m

Parking Lot near Saint-Pierre-Eynac (D28)

Access: Via Saint-Pierre-Eynac (D28) or N88 and Aupinhac (D28)
Location: Parking lot behind Saint-Pierre-Eynac direction Aupinhac and N88
Special features: View to the south and west (marked on map), view to Le Puy (with binoculars you can see the Madonna and more); suitable for a picnic on a picnic bench
Altitude: about 880 m

Viewpoint at Saint-Pierre-Eynac

Access: To Saint-Pierre-Eynac (D28), park at the church or the Amuse Bouche
Location: Above Saint-Pierre-Eynac in the direction of the Madonna (but not as far as the Madonna)
Special features: View to the south and west
Altitude: about 900 m

Viewpoint at the Madonna of Saint-Pierre-Eynac

Access: To Saint-Pierre-Eynac (D28), park at the church or the Amuse Bouche
Location: Above Saint-Pierre-Eynac at the Madonna (signposted)
Special features: Even better view to the south and west
Altitude: About 950 m

Croix de Simon near Freycenet-la-Tour

Access: Via D275 from Laussonne or Freycenet-la-Tour; parking at Croix de Simon
Location: Cross on D275 north of Freycenet-la-Tour
Special features: View west to Le Puy (with binoculars you can see the Madonna and more). You can go east to the first windmill (or further...), there are also trails to the west.
Altitude: 1145 m

Madonna at Freycenet-la-Tour

Access: Via D275 from Laussonne or Freycenet-la-Tour; parking at the end of the village on large parking lot
Location: Parking lot north of Freycenet-la-Tour with view and Madonna with view over the village
Special features: From the parking lot view to the west, from the Madonna view over the village and more; parking lot suitable for a picnic (with own chairs)
Altitude: about 1140 m

Water House in front of l'Herm (D35)

Access: From le Pertuis (on the N88) via the D35; from Rosières via the D35
Location: Water house on the D35 between le Pertuis and l'Herm (Rosières) (Near the parking lot for the climbing place)
Special features: View to the west and north (towards the Loire valley); suitable for a picnic (with own chairs)
Altitude: about 1000 m

Calvaire of Rosières

Access: From le Pertuis (on the N88) via the D35 to Rosières
Location: Calvaire and cemetery are located at the north end of town above the town; walk west and north from the parking lot to the calvaire/cemetery (you can also walk there from the town center).
Special features: Calvaire, view southwards over Rosières.
Altitude: about 700 m

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