The Puy of La Rodde
Montaigut-le-Blanc
Dogs allowed
Distance 9Km
Duration 3h00
Hiking route BOUCLE
Marking Yellow
In pictures
Route description
The pleasant valley of La Rodde leads to Gourdon from where you can enjoy a vast panoramic view of the western plateaus, the Limagne plain and the volcanoes. A path between broom and undergrowth leads back to the medieval heights of Montaigut-le-Blanc.
1 – Follow it to the right for 100 m. After the bend, take the road to the right (several cellars and a well) until you reach the entrance of Gourdon (washhouse below). Go through the village, go up on the right until you reach the farm, keep going on(…)
Trail highlights
– Small heritage features : cross, fountain, washhouse, drinking trough.
– Feudal castle.
– Puy de la Rodde (747 m).
– View of the Cézallier, Sancy massif, Forez and Limagne plain.
– View of the church and village of Montaigut.
– The “white monks” (light-colored rocks reminiscent of monks).
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : Go down to the bottom of the parking lot, turn right and walk along the stadium, passing under the tennis court and continuing across the duckboard. Take the small staircase and climb to the right. Turn left onto the D996 road, cross it and turn right up Rue du Grand Chemin to the road. Follow it to the right until you reach rue du Couvanier, which you climb. Ignore the right-hand streets. Enter Place du Taillet (cross, fountain, wash-house, drinking trough). Take Route d’Olloix (on the right, access to the feudal castle). On leaving the village, turn right down the track. Cross the bridge over the stream and follow the road to Gourdon.
Step 2 : Follow this road to the right for 100 m. After the bend, take the right-hand path (several cellars and a well) to the entrance to Gourdon (wash-house below). Go through the village, up to the farmhouse on the right, then right again. On the plateau, at the “Puy de la Rodde 747 m” sign, take the right-hand path (view of the Cézallier and the Sancy massif). Continue along the plateau (view of Forez and the Limagne plain). At the T-junction, turn right. At the next fork, take the right-hand path (long, tricky descent). Follow a track to the right as far as the T-junction, opposite Saint Julien.
Step 3 : Go right, then left (view of the château, church and village of Montaigut). Pass the “white monks” (light-colored rocks reminiscent of monks on the left). At the bridge, turn right into rue de l’Eglise. Before the castle gate, take the left-hand path. Descend to the D996 road. Follow it to the left as far as the parking lot. Cross it on the right and take the duckboard on the left to return 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, Mountain view, Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Access
From A75, exit n°6, take D978, direction Besse to Montaigut-le-Blanc. Parking lot on the left of the main street.
Downloadable :
Photo credits : N.Dutranoy PAH, N. Dutranoy, Pays d’Issoire
Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme