The five villages

Saint-Cirgues-sur-Couze

Description

A loop where you can stroll through the 5 villages and where each of them keeps a precious testimony of the past (churches, oppidum, castle...). The path passes from valley to valley and reveals the Dauphiné d'Auvergne and the mountains that border it.

Starting point - From the starting sign, at the back of the castle take the Tourzel road on the right. After the stream follow the alley to Meilhaud's first house. Turn left for 10 m and follow the wall to the right. Continue along rue du Pré Clos. At the tipping point turn left until you reach the fountain.

1 - Turn right into rue des Remparts, then rue d'Antaillat. At the end of the village go straight ahead and climb the Way of the Cross. On the plateau take the grassy path to the left. At the intersection, continue to the right (panorama on the puy d'Ysson, the Sancy massif, the puy de Lavelle, the villages of Chidrac, Saint-Cirques-sur-Couze and Meilhaud). Go beyond the large dry stone walls and continue until you reach the wide stone path.

2 - Turn right on it. At the road go down the wide path to the left (view of the Livradois-Forez mountains and the hillock of Vodable). Cross the Gripet stream and climb to Ronzières. At the intersection, under the farm, turn left and at the sewage treatment plant go up to the right towards the village centre. Continue along rue du Coudrat to the church (Romanesque church) and its enclosure (orientation table).

3 - Exit through the porch, go around the small tower and the church (oppidum) on the right. Go down the path to the left along the fence. At the crossroads in the woods turn right. At the exit of the wood turn left. In view of the Gripet stream, turn left and cross the bridge. Go up to the village of Tourzel. At the fork take the stairs to the left and turn right immediately. Cross the village by the rue du Dauphiné d'Auvergne to a fork at the exit.

4 - Turn left, continue straight ahead, leaving a path on the right. At the T-junction, take the wide road on the right, and continue down to Saint-Vincent. On the asphalt road take opposite rue de la Cure. At the crossroads, turn right into rue des Fontaines and then rue du Mas. At the exit of Saint-Vincent continue on the main road. At a fire hydrant go left, rue de la Tour Madame to enter Saint-Cirgues-sur-Couze and join the castle (Château de l'Anglade, 18th century).

  • Entity information:Office de Tourisme Auvergne Pays d'Issoire

Profile

  • Altitude max. itinerary:750 m
  • Altitude difference:400 m
  • Positive elevation gain:400 m
  • Markup accuracy:Green
  • Route type:Loop
  • Distance:13,5 km
  • Daily duration:04h00

Prices

Free access.

Activities

  • Pedestrian sports
  • Hiking itinerary

Services / Equipment

  • Pets allowed
  • Pets welcome

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12.

Subject to favorable weather.

Spoken languages

Customer type

  • Level red – hard