A panoramic hike to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes of Haute-Loire. The GR40 Tour of the Velay Volcanoes is a trek that takes you through the trails of the exceptional Loire Valley before reaching the great forests.
DAY 1: Arrival in Vorey-sur-Arzon
Welcome to Haute-Loire, you will be welcomed in your accommodation in the afternoon. This is the opportunity to discover the beauty of the Loire from the banks but also from above!
DAY 2: Hike on the GR40 between Vorey and Allègre: 29km – 6h50 – D+1010m
A day that starts strong during which you will climb above the Loire Valley to reach Saint-Geneys-près-Saint-Paulien (Château du Maréchal Fayolle). You will then join Céaux-d'Allègre before climbing to the top of Mont-Bar, a Strombolian volcano. A few more efforts and the village of Allègre and its Potence (remains of its 14th century castle) will welcome you.
Possible variation: -1km
DAY 3: Hike on the GR40 between Allègre and Siaugues-Saint-Romain: 16km – 4h – D+315m
A quieter day during which you will cross the tall coniferous forests of Fix-Saint-Geneys and continue your volcanic discovery.
DAY 4: Hike on the GR40 between Siaugues-Saint-Romain and Montbonnet: 22km – 6h – D+645m
It will soon be the Durande that will have to be tamed (highest point of the Puy-en-Velay conurbation) which will offer you an incredible 360° panorama. The GR 40 will then take you to the Lac de l'Oeuf (don't really look for a lake) then Montbonnet for a stop on the way to Ciompostelle.
DAY 5: Hike on the GR40 between Montbonnet and Masclaux: 29km – 7h15 – D+440m
A beautiful day of walking that will take you to the incredible volcanic lake of Bouchet. You will now walk on the shared tracks of the Stevenson Trail to reach the balcony of the Gorges de la Loire.
Shorter variant possible: -4km
DAY 6: Hike on the GR40 between Masclaux and Freycenet-la-Cuche: 28km – 6h30 – D+805m
You will walk towards the balcony of the Gorges de la Loire. A beautiful plunge towards the Loire, you will go down the paths that will lead you to the village of Goudet before going back up on the opposite slopes towards the Monts de Breysse (volcanoes) before reaching Freycenet-la-Cuche.
Shorter variants offered: 3km and -4km
DAY 7: Hike on the GR40 between Freycenet-la-Cuche and Les Estables: 15km – 4h – D+760m
From Freycenet la Cuche, you continue your route towards Les Estables. The descent to the village offers you magical views of the volcanic mountains of Mézenc, Alambre and Chaulet.
Extension towards the ascent of Mont-Mézenc proposed: +8km
DAY 8: Hike on the GR40 between Les Estables and Queyrières: 32 km – 8 hrs – D+670m
You will leave the high plateaus of Mézenc to hike in the heart of the volcanic Meygal. You will reach the magnificent village of Queyrières.
Shorter variants proposed: -6km via La Louvèche or -3km
DAY 9: Hike on the GR40 between Queyrières and Vorey-sur-Arzon: 30km – 7h30 – D+540m
You will cross the volcanic peaks to enjoy the panorama of the Mézenc, the Gorges de l'Allier from the chapel of Glavenas. You will then continue towards the magnificent village of Mézères then the Rocher de Costaros before a beautiful descent towards the waters of the Loire.
Shorter variant proposed: -1,5km
DAY 10: End of stay after breakfast.
*The stages may change depending on the availability of accommodation.
Mandatory reservation.
Welcome to Haute-Loire, you will be welcomed in your accommodation in the afternoon. This is the opportunity to discover the beauty of the Loire from the banks but also from above!
DAY 2: Hike on the GR40 between Vorey and Allègre: 29km – 6h50 – D+1010m
A day that starts strong during which you will climb above the Loire Valley to reach Saint-Geneys-près-Saint-Paulien (Château du Maréchal Fayolle). You will then join Céaux-d'Allègre before climbing to the top of Mont-Bar, a Strombolian volcano. A few more efforts and the village of Allègre and its Potence (remains of its 14th century castle) will welcome you.
Possible variation: -1km
DAY 3: Hike on the GR40 between Allègre and Siaugues-Saint-Romain: 16km – 4h – D+315m
A quieter day during which you will cross the tall coniferous forests of Fix-Saint-Geneys and continue your volcanic discovery.
DAY 4: Hike on the GR40 between Siaugues-Saint-Romain and Montbonnet: 22km – 6h – D+645m
It will soon be the Durande that will have to be tamed (highest point of the Puy-en-Velay conurbation) which will offer you an incredible 360° panorama. The GR 40 will then take you to the Lac de l'Oeuf (don't really look for a lake) then Montbonnet for a stop on the way to Ciompostelle.
DAY 5: Hike on the GR40 between Montbonnet and Masclaux: 29km – 7h15 – D+440m
A beautiful day of walking that will take you to the incredible volcanic lake of Bouchet. You will now walk on the shared tracks of the Stevenson Trail to reach the balcony of the Gorges de la Loire.
Shorter variant possible: -4km
DAY 6: Hike on the GR40 between Masclaux and Freycenet-la-Cuche: 28km – 6h30 – D+805m
You will walk towards the balcony of the Gorges de la Loire. A beautiful plunge towards the Loire, you will go down the paths that will lead you to the village of Goudet before going back up on the opposite slopes towards the Monts de Breysse (volcanoes) before reaching Freycenet-la-Cuche.
Shorter variants offered: 3km and -4km
DAY 7: Hike on the GR40 between Freycenet-la-Cuche and Les Estables: 15km – 4h – D+760m
From Freycenet la Cuche, you continue your route towards Les Estables. The descent to the village offers you magical views of the volcanic mountains of Mézenc, Alambre and Chaulet.
Extension towards the ascent of Mont-Mézenc proposed: +8km
DAY 8: Hike on the GR40 between Les Estables and Queyrières: 32 km – 8 hrs – D+670m
You will leave the high plateaus of Mézenc to hike in the heart of the volcanic Meygal. You will reach the magnificent village of Queyrières.
Shorter variants proposed: -6km via La Louvèche or -3km
DAY 9: Hike on the GR40 between Queyrières and Vorey-sur-Arzon: 30km – 7h30 – D+540m
You will cross the volcanic peaks to enjoy the panorama of the Mézenc, the Gorges de l'Allier from the chapel of Glavenas. You will then continue towards the magnificent village of Mézères then the Rocher de Costaros before a beautiful descent towards the waters of the Loire.
Shorter variant proposed: -1,5km
DAY 10: End of stay after breakfast.
*The stages may change depending on the availability of accommodation.
Mandatory reservation.
Rates
Adult: from €1.
Per person. double room basis.
Per person. double room basis.
What is included
The price includes
Accommodation in twin, double, multiple or single room with half-board
Tourist taxes,
Luggage transport (luggage of 13kg max / person)
Your digital travel and guidance notebook
The topo-guide (1 copy for every 3 travelers)
Telephone assistance
Tourist taxes,
Luggage transport (luggage of 13kg max / person)
Your digital travel and guidance notebook
The topo-guide (1 copy for every 3 travelers)
Telephone assistance
The price does not include
Transport and transfers to the departure point,
Meals other than those specified in the chosen package,
The drinks,
Any visits or activities,
Multi-risk cancellation insurance
Application fee
Meals other than those specified in the chosen package,
The drinks,
Any visits or activities,
Multi-risk cancellation insurance
Application fee
Pratical information
1, 2 and 3*** hotels and guest rooms.
- Mandatory reservation
- Shuttle
- Half board
Opening period
From 11 / 04 to 05 / 10.
Traveler reviews