What if, to start or return from your hike, you took… a train? The GR®3 allows hikers to follow the longest river in France: the Loire. Here, we offer day trips in the Velay region to enjoy this superb long-distance hiking trail thanks to the SNCF TER regional trains. Welcome aboard!
The Loire, a rushing river whose source lies just a few kilometers from the Velay region, and its meanders have always been synonymous with long-distance hiking. The GR® 3 is the first officially marked long-distance hiking trail in France.
The GR Source and gorges of the Loire: the wild Loire on foot – GR® 3 – 302 offers balconies on the Loire between Lavoûte-sur-Loire and Le Puy-en-Velay via Chaspinhac.
And the path of Saint-Jacques In all of this? Never forgotten… The GR® 765 from Cluny / Lyon joins Le Puy-en-Velay via an eastern variant which joins Chamalières-sur-Loire, Vorey-sur-Arzon, Saint-Vincent and Lavoûte-sur-Loire… villages all served by the TER SNCF line between Saint-Etienne and Le Puy-en-Velay.
- From Le Puy-en-Velay to Lavoûte-sur-Loire (GR302)
- From Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Le Puy-en-Velay
- From Chamalières to Vorey-sur-Arzon
- From Vorey-sur-Arzon to Le Puy-en-Velay (difficult)
- From Vorey-sur-Arzon to Lavoûte-sur-Loire (easy)
01
From Le Puy-en-Velay
in Lavoûte-sur-Loire
- 17 km via Chaspinhac (GR302)
- 5 hours 15 minutes of walking on average
- Train budget: €3,80
Timetable for return trains (from Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Le Puy-en-Velay):
Afternoon (weekday schedule): departure from Lavoute at 14:13 pm and 18:37 pm
Afternoon (weekend schedule): departure from Lavoute at 14:13 pm, 15:13 pm (except Sundays) and 19:11 pm
02
From Lavoûte-sur-Loire
in Puy-en-Velay
- 16 km via Polignac (GR765)
- 4 hours 15 minutes of walking on average
- Train budget: €3,80
Return train times (from Le Puy-en-Velay to Lavoûte-sur-Loire):
Afternoon (weekday schedule): departure from Le Puy at 16:13 pm, 17:35 pm and 18:29 pm
Afternoon (weekend schedule): departure from Le Puy at 15:39 pm (14:45 pm on Sundays), 16:39 pm and 18:38 pm
03
From Chamalières-sur-Loire
in Vorey-sur-Arzon
- 16,5 km via Roche-en-Régnier (GR765)
- 4 hours 35 minutes of walking on average
- Train budget: €3,10
Return train times (from Vorey-sur-Arzon to Chamalières-sur-Loire):
Afternoon (weekday schedule): departure from Vorey at 13:00 PM, 16:35 PM and 17:57 PM
Afternoon (Saturday schedule): departure from Vorey at 13:00 PM, 16:01 PM, 17:03 PM and 19:01 PM
Afternoon (Sunday schedule: departure from Vorey at 13:00 PM, 15:06 PM, 17:03 PM, 17:57 PM and 19:01 PM)
04
From Vorey-sur-Arzon
in Puy-en-Velay
- 27 km via Polignac (GR765)
- 7 hours 10 minutes of walking on average
- Train budget: €5,90
Train times (outbound only):
Afternoon (weekday schedule): departure from Le Puy at 16:13 pm, 17:35 pm and 18:29 pm
Afternoon (weekend schedule): departure from Le Puy at 15:39 pm (Saturday only), 16:39 pm, 17:35 pm (Sunday only) and 18:38 pm
05
From Vorey-sur-Arzon
in Lavoûte-sur-Loire
- 11,5 km (GR765)
- 3 hours of walking on average
- Train budget: €3,10
Return train times (from Lavoûte-sur-Loire to Vorey-sur-Arzon):
Afternoon (weekday schedule): departure from Lavoute at 12:49, 16:24, 17:46 and 18:49
Afternoon (Saturday schedule): departure from Lavoute at 12:49, 15:50, 16:50 and 18:49
Afternoon (Sunday schedule): departure from Lavoute at 12:49, 14:56, 16:50 and 17:46
The Loire
between nature and heritage
Carved into the Velay volcano, the Loire Gorges stretch for over 20 kilometers, offering varied and spectacular landscapes. Between the steep cliffs and the meanders of the Loire, the wild beauty of this natural site has remained preserved.
Perched on a rocky spur, the Château de Lavoute-Polignac has watched over the Gorges since the 12th century. The fortified castle, transformed into a pleasure residence during the Renaissance, invites visitors to discover its fascinating history and sumptuous gardens.
Vorey-sur-Arzon and Chamalières-sur-Loire are two charming villages bordering the wild Loire River. In the heart of the Gorges, the town of Chamalières-sur-Loire boasts a remarkable ensemble including the Church of Saint-Gilles and its former Benedictine priory.
Founded around the 10th century, this priory church dedicated to Saint Giles is a fine example of Auvergne Romanesque art, combining simplicity and elegance with some influences from elsewhere. Vorey-sur-Arzon, designated a "Village of Character," charms visitors with its architectural heritage and activities.
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