Les gorges de la Sioule

Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne

Dogs allowed

Distance
20Km

Duration
6h00

Trace
BOUCLE

Marking
Green

In pictures

Route description

In a sumptuous setting, dominated on one side by the imposing Château de Chouvigny and on the other by the ghostly Château Rocher, you’ll discover a route that’s well worth a visit for its fishing and tourist attractions.

Trail highlights

– The Queuille meander.
– A forest of oaks.
– Ruins and farm of Murat.
– The Sioule river and dam.
– The Cube valley.
– The bell tower of Saint-Gervais.
– The Combrailles plateau.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step :

Étape 1 : From the esplanade at Le Prat, go through the hamlet then turn left at the crossroads. When you reach the road, turn right as far as the fountain and wash-house in Le Bouchet.

Étape 2 : Turn left down towards the Queuille dam and take the first track on the right. At the hairpin bend, take the small path opposite, descending steeply through a beautiful oak forest as far as the crossroads (not very visible).

Étape 3 : Leave the path on the left and head downhill (ruins of the Murat farm) to the banks of the Sioule at the heart of the Queuille meander. Return to the crossroads, then take the path on the right through the forest (a beautiful built path that follows the Sioule and overlooks the Queuille dam) to the road.

Étape 4 : Turn right. At the Queuille dam, take a footpath to the left above the building and continue along this path as far as the hamlet of Bas-de-Lacot. Follow this path to the right under the foliage to reach the Chambon bridge.

Afficher les étapes suivantes…

Étape 5 : Turn right, cross the bridge and turn left onto the D237; 100 m after the disused factory, turn left onto a grassy track. After the first houses, continue left along the Sioule. At the large pine trees, turn right to join the road and follow it to the left. At the footbridge, cross the Sioule and take the road to the right. In the village, at the end of the square (note: another green PR), turn left and climb up to the road. Cross the road and go straight ahead on a track that climbs quickly through undergrowth to Grandval.

Étape 6 : Take the tarmac track on the left (view of the Cube valley, the bell tower of Saint-Gervais and the Combrailles plateau). At the road, continue to the right then turn onto the first track on the right. After 1 km, at the end of a bend in the road, fork right onto the wide track until you reach the small road on the left. At the crossroads, cross the D531 and continue straight on to Le Prat.

Opening hours

All year round.

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 the weather conditions, some routes 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 paths. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your rubbish.
Animals are not allowed on some roads

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

Environnements

In the country, Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

Accès

From Riom, take the D227 towards Manzat as far as the entrance to Saint-Gervais-d’Auvergne, then take the D531 (truck diversions) towards Le Bouchet for 3 km and turn right towards Le Prat.

Downloadable:

GPX – ITI0590_2023