The Artière gorges

Ceyrat

Dogs allowed

Distance 8Km

Duration 2h30

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Yellow

In pictures

Route description

A charming path winds its way through the gorges of the Artière, carved out of the Dômes plateau. Pines and chestnut trees, rooted in the maze of rocks, climb up to the Berzet plateau, where there are fine views of Gergovie, Montrognon and Limagne.

Trail highlights

– Dolmen de Samson.
– 180° view of the Gergovie plateau, Comté, Livradois-Forez and Sancy.
– Stone vault housing a ferry.
– View of the Butte de Montrognon.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : From the start sign at the end of the parking lot, go through the barrier and take the path shared by the two circuits. At the fork where the circuits separate, keep to the right along the stream. Ford the Artière and head into the gorge (Samson dolmen). Cross the stream a second time on a wooden footbridge. The path rises to a crow’s-foot.

Step 2 : Take the leftmost path. Leave the undergrowth at a T-junction and turn right onto a wide track on the side of the plateau. At the first Berzet chalets, the path becomes a road (180° view of the Gergovie plateau, the Comté, Livradois-Forez and Sancy). Ignore streets and side paths (stone archway housing a ferry) until you reach a T-junction near the parking lot. Turn right. Ignore all crossed streets, including Chemin de Boudonne on the right. Continue through the village (view of the Butte de Montrognon) to the junction with Chemin du Champ d’Issart on the right.

Step 3 : Go downhill towards the last houses in Berzet, turn right at the first intersection where the road becomes a footpath. At the fork, turn right, then right again at an intersection in a pine glade. Follow the wide, steep path to a tarmac road.

Step 4 : To the right of the parapet in the hairpin bend, descend the narrow wooden steps of the path which leads to the dead end of a tarmac road. Proceed to the intersection with Avenue de la Châtaigneraie, turn right and then right again on Avenue de la Libération 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 All dogs must be kept on leashes because of the presence of herds.

Environment

In the country, Forest location, Close to a public transportation, Bus stop < 500 m, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

Access

South-west of Clermont-Ferrand, enter Ceyrat. Parking at the large stone bridge over the Artière.
Bus access : line 4, “Robinson” stop