From fountains to washhouses

Saint-Babel

Dogs allowed

Distance 16Km

Duration 4h30

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Green

In pictures

Route description

This walk will delight sports enthusiasts eager for vertical drops and contrasting paths. In Saint-Babel, a panoramic view of the Issoire basin and the cereal plain. This hike offers beautiful unobstructed views and crosses many small built heritage sites.

Starting point – From the starting sign, at the foot of the city, follow the signs “Direction Table d’orientation”, “Butte du Château”. Climb to the top (360° view) of the site of Château d’Ybois. Go around the hill to the left and go down to the starting point.

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Trail highlights

– Orientation table : “Butte du Château”, 360° view.
– Château de la Suchère, view of Nonette and Montcelet.
– Small heritage sites : wash-house, fountains and crosses.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : From the start sign, at the weight of the town, follow the signs “Direction Table d’orientation”, “Butte du Château”. Climb to the top (360° view) of the Château d’Ybois site. Go around the mound to the left and back down to the starting point.

Step 2 : Follow signs for Sauxillanges. At the fountain, turn left into rue des Charnats. Continue along rue de l’Abattoir. Cross the road. Take rue des Pageix and go down towards Bas Maisons (lavoir). Cross a small bridge and continue along route les Fougères. At the fountain, turn left. At the fork, turn right, passing La Suchère, on the left of Château de la Suchère (view of Nonette and Montcelet). 150 m after the houses, turn left down a grassy path to La Malcourtie. At the square (fountain), keep left and go down a stony track, ignoring the right-hand street. 50 m further on, turn right onto a grassy path. At the crossroads with the road, continue straight ahead, then turn right onto the grassy path that leads to the first houses in Flat. Turn left onto the D9.

Step 3 : Turn right on the D9, past the fountain, turn left before the Monument aux Morts, then right of the church. Turn right, then left on the D9 for a few metres. Turn right up Chemin de la Pellière. When you reach Les Echallats, keep left. Take the first track on the left and continue straight on towards Les Escures. At the entrance to the hamlet, ignore the road on your left and the street on your right, and drive along the houses. At the crow’s-foot, leave the road and take the Les Eversins path. Climb up (view of the Livradois). Pass Château Ybois. Descend to La Barberie (view of the Sancy massif, then Issoire), ignoring a track on the left. Just after La Barberie, take the 1st grassy track on the left. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead. At the next intersection, turn right. Ignore the right-hand track. At Les Escures, take the carriage road to the left and follow it, ignoring the paths to the right and left. At the fork, go down to Naves.

Step 4 : At the 1st street, turn right, then left into rue de la Fontaine. At Place de la Fontaine (cross and fountain), turn right. Cross the route d’Issoire and go up the small street opposite. Follow the steep path through the undergrowth. Turn right. At the end of Paille, take the road on the left. At the 1st right, go downhill and at the 1st bend, turn left. Pass through Les Fumades. Take the road to the left towards La Laye. Before the small bridge, leave the road and turn left, then immediately right, for a long, steep climb. At the “patte d’oie” (cross), turn right down a carriage road. Cross Roure along the main street (wash-house, fountains). Turn right at the next fountain. Continue along the road, ignoring the path on the right. After the bridge, turn left up the grassy path. Continue until you reach the road. Cross the road and continue straight on to the starting point.

Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.

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Opening hours

From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.

Subject to favorable weather.

Comfort, facilities and services

  • Pets welcome

Additional information

For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.

Dogs allowed Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.

Environment

In the country, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

Access

A75, exit 12. At the traffic circle, follow signs for Orbeil. After the Allier bridge, turn left onto the D14 towards Saint-Babel.

Downloadable :

Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme