Welcome to the Voie Verte which connects Le Puy-en-Velay and Landos under the name of Via Velay. Discover the old railway line between Le Puy-en-Velay and Langogne, redeveloped into a greenway. A walk for everyone, rich in natural and built heritage in the heart of Velay.
The incredible story
of a railway line
The railway line from Puy-en-Velay to Langogne was put into service in 1912 to provide a link between the industrial centres of the Saint-Etienne basin and those of the Cévennes. But since 1981, the trains have deserted this track and the rails have been removed to allow the development of a pleasant walk which will appeal to lovers of walking and cycling, VTC, mountain biking and VAE.






Connecting Le Puy-en-Velay via the Loire Valley (600m altitude), to Landos, it rises continuously from Brives-Charensac, with an average slope of 2%. This slope is regular, easy and therefore suitable for all audiences! And finally, for the return, logically it goes down and you just have to let the bike roll!
The start of the route (north-south direction) is located 4 km from Puy-en-Velay at the exit of Brives-Charensac station (600 meters above sea level). It is then a gentle climb (2%) accessible to all, up to the town of Brignon (940 meters above sea level).
5 tunnels to take
and a viaduct!
The Via Velay takes in 5 illuminated tunnels and a 184-metre viaduct, with metal spans. It first offers you beautiful views of the Loire valley. Fairly shaded, it rises regularly. We can see the Château de Bouzols. After the Coubon station, we discover a first tunnel 1,1km long, very well laid out and cool! Then a splendid view of Le Puy-en-Velay appears on the right, with the statue of Notre-Dame de France standing out against the Corneille rock.
A second 1,3km tunnel is crossed in complete peace because the ground is perfect. At its outlet, the via Velay dominates the valley, on the mountainside, and we see the Auvergne mountains and Mount Mézenc in the distance. The route continues in a sublime and peaceful setting to the gates of Costaros!
Heritage
breathtaking
From the connection from Puy-en-Velay to the Voie Verte, via the banks of the Borne, a whole heritage is available to you. From the Massot stadium, you discovered Le Puy-en-Velay and now follow the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe rock. A cool, pleasant walk along the water's edge.
All along the Voie Verte, local heritage is in the spotlight. The banks of the Loire in Brives-Charensac, the village of Coubon but above all, in Solignac-sur-Loire, the Beaume waterfall. At km 17,6 of the Voie Verte, take the PR67 for 2km to discover an exceptional natural site and its 27m high waterfall.
the route in brief from Le Puy-en-Velay
- Departure from the Puy-en-Velay SNCF station
- Take the greenway to Brives-Charensac via avenue de Belges and cross the activity zone
- Take the streets along the left bank of the Loire, towards upstream: rue de la Poterie, rue de la République, then the D37.
- Views of the Loire then glimpse of the Bouzols castle from the Coubon road.
- After Coubon station, a first tunnel 1,1km long
- Exiting the tunnel: splendid view of Puy-en-Velay, with the statue of Notre-Dame de France standing out against the Corneille rock.
- A second tunnel of 1,3 km then 3 more tunnels
- Passage over the Gagne viaduct and arrival at Solignac-sur-Loire
- Cross Solignac then head towards the village of Brignon
- Follow the route of the old railway line to Costaros then Landos.
- Possibility of joining the Via Allier route (approximately 4km via the D88)
Practical
How far is Via Velay?
35km separate Le Puy-en-Velay from Landos. 70km round trip to travel the Via Velay!
What is the origin of the Via Velay?
It was originally the railway line from Puy-en-Velay to Langogne which was put into service in 1912 to ensure the connection between the industrial centers of the Saint-Etienne basin and those of the Cévennes. But the trains have deserted this route and the rails removed to allow the development of a pleasant walk which will appeal to walking and cycling enthusiasts!