Riols

Marsac-en-Livradois

Dogs allowed

Distance 9.5Km

Duration 3h15

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Yellow

In pictures

Route description

A beautiful circuit that climbs from the Marsac-en-Livradois plain up to the Livradois mountains via pretty paths and moss-covered woods. There are sweeping views of the Forez mountains and the Etang de Riols.

Trail highlights

View of the Monts du Forez and the Col des Pradeaux.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : From the parking lot, follow the path to the right. At the crossroads, go straight ahead. Take the left-hand road and 100 m further on, turn right onto the track. At the intersection, turn left. 50 m further on, at the crow’s feet, take the track opposite. At the next crow’s-foot, take the right-hand track. Continue straight ahead on the main road. At the intersection, turn left (view of the Forez mountains). At the crossroads, continue on the track opposite.

Step 2 : Take the road opposite. 100 m after the bridge, take the right-hand track. Continue up the main path (view of the Monts du Forez and the Col des Pradeaux). At the top of the climb, turn left at the crossroads to Faillargues. At the crossroads, take the road to the right. At the crow’s-foot, take the road on the left (view of the Forez mountains).

Step 3 : 100 m after leaving the village, take the track on the left. Continue down this path. At the hairpin bend, keep right on the main path (view of Monts du Forez and Col des Pradeaux). Continue along the path opposite. 150 m further on, at the crow’s-foot, go left. At the intersection of 3 paths, go straight ahead. Follow the stream and cross it 50 m further on.

Step 4 : At the intersection, go left. 50 m after the sawmill, turn left onto the road. Take the path furthest to the left. 70 m further on, take a path to the right between 2 meadows. At the pond, continue straight ahead on the track until you reach the road. Turn left. At the first houses, take the track on the left. Follow the road opposite. Continue straight ahead on the track (view of the Monts du Forez and the Col des Pradeaux).

Next step

Step 5 : Take the first track on the left. 150 m further on, take the path on the right through the woods (view of the Livradois and Forez mountains). At the end of the wood, continue on the main path until you reach the road, which you turn left onto. Continue along the road. At the intersection, turn right. Continue along the road, passing the houses and reaching the parking lot.

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, Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

Access

From Ambert, take the D906 towards Arlanc. In Marsac-en-Livradois, turn right towards Riols.

Downloadable :

Updated on 2 July 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme