Saint-James

Marat

Dogs allowed

Distance 5Km

Duration 1h30

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Blue

In pictures

Route description

Poetry is the order of the day on this trail from the Gripel cross to the hamlet of Saint-James. Here, overlooking the Livradois mountains, you’ll be seduced by the granite houses arranged around small gardens, flowering walls and grassy paths.

Trail highlights

– The Gripel cross.
– The Gripel tower (keep of a former 15th-century seigniorial dwelling).

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : Emprunter la D97 à gauche sur 100 m jusqu’à la croix de Gripel. Traverser la route et prendre le chemin montant en face. Continuer sur le chemin carrossable et 150 m avant de retrouver la route goudronnée, emprunter un chemin à gauche. Garder le chemin principal, longer une maison et continuer sur la route goudronnée.

Step 2 : Au croisement en T, bifurquer sur la gauche sur un chemin descendant à travers bois. Au carrefour de plusieurs chemins, dirigez-vous à droite et traverser le village de Saint-James. À la D97, l’emprunter à gauche sur 200 m et descendre un chemin en direction de la tour de Gripel.

Step 3 : Au village de Gripel, emprunter la route goudronnée à gauche. Retrouver la D97 que vous emprunter à droite jusqu’à la croix de Gripel. À la croix, descendre sur la D97 en direction de Marat et retrouver le parking.

Randonnée proposée et gérée par le Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.

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

From Olliergues, take the D906 towards Thiers. After 4 km, turn left onto the D40 towards Marat. Pass through Marat and turn left onto the D97 towards the village of Les Mines. Park 100 m before the Gripel cross and the intersection with the D266.

Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme