Randonnée en Livradois-Forez : sentiers de merveilles

In the mountains of Livradois and the mountains of Forez, the adventure of roaming is close at hand, along the paths of the Livradois-Forez regional natural park. Also, for a family outing, a Sunday stroll or a sportier afternoon with friends, a multitude of hiking trails are open to you. Thus, of less than 2 hours or more than 4 hours, they promise beautiful excursions in the heart of nature.

Bernard Auroy on the hiking trails in Livradois-Forez

The RELF association, created in 1994, has been chaired by Bernard for 15 years. It now has 180 volunteers. Do you know the work undertaken by these motivated walkers? Each year, they carry out the marking of some 2500km of trails in Livradois-Forez.

Much more than a hobby, their demanding attention to routes also includes the maintenance of certain areas and the installation of safety signs around dams or sensitive sites. Thus guaranteeing the correct orientation and safety of hikers and hikers from all walks of life.

The association also takes care to harmonize and respect common markup rules. Thus, the same type of indication is found along the paths of Livradois-Forez. You find them below:

Walks and Hikes Routes (PR)
Markup shiso : hike more than 4 hours
Or markup yellow : hike between 2 and 4 hours
Also, markup Blue : hike – 2 hours

It's whispering in your ear...

Previously employed in a large bank in Versailles, Bernard Auroy left the hectic Île-de-France in 1984, almost by survival instinct. Then, chance, the search for the mountains, the need for nature, the desire for a house to refurbish: so many reasons that pushed Bernard to put down his suitcases and those of his family.

Bernard's favorite hikes

The source of the Jarpe – Grandrif
With the family, 3,3km – 1h45
The Friends of Grandrif association restored the source of the Jarpe, visible halfway through.

From hell to spinning wheels – Thiers
Difficult, 11,3km – 4h15
Departing from the Orangerie in Thiers, you gain height until you dominate the town, before descending into the Rouets valley.

Madet Valley – Egliseneuve-près-Billom
Medium, 8km – 2h30
Points of view on the surrounding castles, on the Chaîne des puys and Billom.

Grün de Chignore – Vollore-ville
Difficult, 12,9km – 5h30
We climb the flanks of the Chignore in a forest and sometimes on a Roman road, before discovering a grandiose panorama.

The Jasseries-Valcivières peddler
Medium, 9,5km – 3h
A route on the Hautes-Chaumes of Forez, sumptuous landscapes and a change of scenery in high altitude moors.

For the past few months, Antoine Horteur has been the new "hiking gentleman" of the Livradois-Forez regional natural park, successfully succeeding Sébastien Giraud.
In charge of the hike, Antoine works together with Bernard. It coordinates the park's "hiking and nature" policy, develops the trails, promotes them on various communication media, among other missions.

A few reminders before departure

Many of you enjoy walking on the trails of Livradois-Forez. However, before going on a hike, it is important to know some simple rules:

• Respect private property by carefully closing the gates.
• Take care not to frighten grazing animals.
• Do not be tempted by shortcuts because you risk damaging the vegetation and causing premature erosion of the site.
• Admire the fauna and flora of sensitive areas but do not succumb to the temptation to pick flowers or plants.
• Beware of leaving traces of your passage. In other words, take your waste to the next bin.
• If you take your dog with you, don't forget his leash. Because it could inadvertently cause damage or be the victim of an accident.
• Find out before departure about weather conditions and hunting seasons.
• For your safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, and wear shoes suitable for walking.
• Remember to go through the starting panel before your course. Indeed, some important information may appear on it (change of route, change of markup color, circuit deleted, circuit impassable, etc.). And if the starting panel is no longer in place, it could turn out that the circuit is no longer marked or maintained.

TOPOGUIDES

Walks in the Pays de Cunlhat, Hikes in the Pays de Courpière, Walks in the Pays d'Arlanc, Walks in the Pays de Billom, St-Dier and the Jauron Valley, Walks in the Pays d'Ambert, Walks in the mountains of Thiers, Hikes between Dore and Allier , Walking circuits in the Ance valley, Hikes in the Thiers region, Hikes between Allier and Bois Noirs as well as Walks in Haut-Livradois: 11 topoguides for inspire your hiking desires.

On sale in the tourist information offices of the Maison du Tourisme and in the bookstores of Livradois-Forez, as well as some Press houses.