Chartreuse National Forest
Montfermy
Dogs allowed
Distance 16Km
Duration 4h30
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Green
In pictures
Route description
This is a lovely walk through the Sioule valley, which is remarkable from a landscape point of view and for the richness of its natural environments. Enjoy the beautiful Montfermy waterfall and the unobstructed views of the volcanoes of the Puys chain.
Trail highlights
– Discover the Sioule river
– Montfermy waterfall
– View of the village of Montfermy and its 12th-century church
– Ruins of the Carthusian monastery of Port Sainte-Marie
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : From the start sign, cross the Sioule and follow the D 418 for 400 m, then take the 2nd road on the left towards La Garde. At the first bend in the road, take a path down to the left, cross a stream, climb up and down again to follow the Sioule (waterfall on the left), continue on the right bank until you come to a crossroads under a high-voltage line (another green PR).
Step 2 : Turn left, then right 20 m further on. Continue along the Sioule as far as the road (300 m to the right are the ruins of the Chartreuse de Port Sainte-Marie).
Step 3 : Follow the road to the left, cross the Sioule then go right up the gravel path. Reach a road, leaving 2 paths on the right, and continue straight ahead. At the crossroads, go straight ahead and follow the small road, then turn left at the fork marked with a wooden cross. Go through the village and at the exit, take a good path opposite and continue until you reach a crossroads with 4 paths.
Step 4 : Turn left, leaving a track on your left, and continue to a crossroads near a hut. Turn right and follow the road to the left through the village of Côte-Faîte. At the end of the road, take the path on the right, then climb up through the undergrowth to a junction of 4 paths.
Next step
Step 5 : Go downhill to the left, climb back up at the fork and continue straight ahead at the next crossroads. At the small road, continue straight on. At the hamlet of Les Chazots, go straight ahead on a grassy track, reach a T-junction and go left down to the stream.
Step 6 : Cross the stream and continue downhill to the left. Cross the Tourdoux stream again and climb up the other side of the valley. At the intersection of several paths, turn right for 20 m, then left. Continue on this good path and at the T-junction turn right for 50 m, then left onto the small road. After 150 m, turn right then left at the first fork and continue downhill to Montfermy (view of the village and its 12th-century church), rejoining the starting point.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.
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Opening hours
All year round 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, Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
On the Pontgibaud bypass (D 941B) towards Pontaumur, take the D 418 to Montfermy. Parking lot near the bridge over the Sioule.
Downloadable :
Photo credits : Office de Tourisme des Combrailles, Office de Tourisme des Combrailles, Office de Tourisme des Combrailles
Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme