Hiking in Livradois-Forez : paths of wonder

In the Livradois and Forez mountains, the adventure of roaming is at your fingertips, along the trails of the Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park. And for a family outing, a Sunday stroll or a sportier afternoon with friends, a multitude of hiking trails are open to you. From less than 2 hours to more than 4 hours in length, you’re sure to enjoy a wonderful excursion in the heart of nature.

Bernard Auroy on the hiking trails in Livradois-Forez

The RELF association, created in 1994, has been chaired by Bernard for 15 years. It now has 180 volunteers. Do you know the work undertaken by these motivated walkers? Every year, they mark out some 2,500km of trails in the Livradois-Forez region.

Much more than just a hobby, their demanding attention to itineraries also includes the maintenance of certain areas and the erection of safety signs around dams or sensitive sites. In this way, they ensure that hikers from all over the world find their way around safely.

The association also works to harmonize and respect common marking rules. As a result, the same types of signs can be found all along the Livradois-Forez trails. You’ll find them below:

Walking and hiking routes (PR)

Green markings: hike over 4 hours
Or yellow markings: hikes between 2 and 4 hours
Also, blue markings: hike less than 2 hours

Favorite hikes by Bernard

La source de la Jarpe – Grandrif
Family, 3.3km – 1h45
The association Les amis de Grandrif has restored the Jarpe spring, visible halfway along the trail.

From hell to spinning wheels – Thiers
Difficult, 11.3km – 4h15
Starting from the Orangerie in Thiers, you climb up to dominate the town, before descending into the Vallée des Rouets.

Madet Valley – Égliseneuve-près-Billom
Medium, 8km – 2h30
Views of the surrounding castles, the Chaîne des puys and Billom.

Grün de Chignore – Vollore-ville
Difficult, 12.9km – 5h30
We climb the slopes of the Chignore through a forest and sometimes on a Roman road, before discovering a grandiose panorama.

Le colporteur des Jasseries – Valcivières
Medium, 9.5km – 3h
An itinerary through the Hautes-Chaumes du Forez, sumptuous landscapes and a change of scenery in the high moors.

A few pre-departure reminders

Many of you enjoy walking the trails of the Livradois-Forez region. However, before setting out on a hike, it’s important to know a few simple rules:

Respect private property by carefully closing gates.
Be careful not to frighten off grazing animals.
Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts, as you risk damaging the vegetation and causing premature erosion.
Admire the flora and fauna of sensitive areas, but don’t succumb to the temptation to pick flowers or plants.
Be careful not to leave any traces of your visit. In other words, take your garbage with you to the next garbage can.
If you take your dog with you, don’t forget its leash. It could cause damage or be the victim of an accident.
Find out about weather conditions and hunting seasons before you leave.
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water and a hat with you, and wear shoes suitable for walking.
Make sure you read the signpost before setting off. Some important information may appear on it (route change, change of marker color, route cancelled, route impassable…). And if the start sign is no longer in place, it could be that the circuit is no longer marked or maintained.

Topoguides

Balades au pays de Cunlhat, Randonnées en pays de Courpière, Balades en pays d’Arlanc, Balades en pays de Billom, St-Dier et vallée de Jauron, Balades en pays d’Ambert, Balades en montagne thiernoise, Randonnées entre Dore et Allier, Circuits pédestres vallée de l’Ance, Randonnées en pays de Thiers, Randonnées entre Allier et Bois Noirs and Balades en Haut-Livradois: 11 topoguides to inspire your hiking desires.

On sale at Maison du Tourisme tourist information offices and Livradois-Forez bookshops, as well as at a number of newsagents.