Top 3 volcano hikes | Office de tourisme du Haut-Lignon – Découvrez des activités pleine nature et des hébergements insolites pour vos vacances en Haute-Loire.

Le Pays du Haut Lignon

The Pays du Haut-Lignon has always been sculpted by the river Le Lignon, which runs through the whole area, and in part by volcanic formations in the middle of a Natura 2000 zone.

ThePic du Lizieux, culminating at 1388m, is never far away, and you can climb it by surveying its flanks through the forest and a little stony before the summit.

By following the PR 639 Sentier de Bonas, and the PR 33 Le Pic du Lizieux, you’ll reach the summit of a 12.7 million-year-old volcano, the Pic du Lizieux, also known as the Rocher de la Dentellière, due to its shape. A remarkable geological site. An interpretation trail Along the way, depending on the season, you’ll need to make a few stops to pick mushrooms or bilberries, and enjoy the coolness of the forest in midsummer.

The summit of the Pic du Lizieux offers a 360° panorama of the superb sleeping volcanoes: the sucs. Two beautiful orientation tables engraved on lauze.

The Lizieux is also an ideal playground for sports enthusiasts. Mountain biking, VVT enduro, Nordic walking and orienteering are on the program on the Massif’s slopes and undergrowth.

You’ll enjoy a 360° panorama: the Lignon valley to the north, the Monts du Vivarais to the east, Mont Mézenc to the south, Le Meygal to the west and, beyond that, the Massif du Pilat and Mont-Blanc…

The history of the Plateau Vivarais Lignon is still very much alive, as it was a hotbed of resistance during the Second World War. Along the way, you’ll see small cemeteries of Protestant graves.

Theheart-shapedLac Bleu, near Les Balayes, is not to be missed. Its bottom is lined with lauzes, giving it its distinctive color, which varies according to the color of the sky… (no swimming and no fishing).

1. PR 639 Sentier de Bonas A short, child-friendly hike

Departure from Montbuzat, commune of Araules

Picnic tables and toilets are available at the start of the trail at the shady Chièze parking lot in Montbuzat.

As soon as you set off on the trail, a fun trail awaits children, who can try their hand at the structures and puzzles, until they reach the Pierre Levée, where the panorama stretches as far as Mont Mézenc, and the fields of red fruit cultivation, the Fruits Rouges du Velay, a local specialty, spread out before you.

All the way up, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Monts du Vivarais to the east and Mont Mézenc to the south.

As you reach the summit, more and more stones and piles of lauzes sing under your feet.

Now the descent is child’s play!

If you fancy a slightly longer hike of 15.3 km, to take in even more of the surrounding countryside and hamlets, you can also follow the PR 33 Le Circuit du Lizieux, starting from theEglise de St Voy, in Mazet-St-Voy.

UTM coordinates: 31 T 0593365 4989749

Maximum altitude: 1388 m

Elevation gain: 210 m

Distance: 5.3 km

Time: 1h30

2. PR 33 Le Circuit du Lizieux A volcanic hike

Departure from theEglise de Saint-Voy, commune of Mazet-Saint-Voy.

The start of the PR 33 hike is at theEglise de Saint-Voy, a listed site open daily during the day, so don’t forget to push open the door to discover the place.

The Pic du Lizieux will accompany you throughout the hike. You’ll pass through the hamlets of the village.

Before entering the Lizieux forest at Majal, take note of the Protestant cemetery, a local landmark.

Further on, as you come to the “pierre levée”, admire the landscape and the red fruit fields.

When you arrive at the Chièze parking lot, you can take your picnic lunch out of your rucksack and sit down on the sheltered tables. You’ll need to build up your strength before starting the ascent of the Pic.

After the rocky section, you’ve reached the summit. Time for a break! Magnificent views…

The hike isn’t over yet, as there are still some beautiful paths to cross, all the way back to the Eglise de Saint-Voy.

UTM coordinates: 31 T 0597524 4989515

Maximum altitude: 1388 m

Elevation gain: 502 m

Distance: 15.3 km

Time: 4h15

3. PR 133 to Suc du Mounier A walk through local heritage and volcanoes

Departure from the hamlet of Freycenet, commune of Saint-Jeures

This hike offers the chance to climb the suc du Mounier, a small volcanic mountain. After crossing the forest, the end of the route is more rocky. At the summit, the view is breathtaking over neighbouring Pic du Lizieux, the Meygal, the Yssingel sucs, the Pilat range and the villages of Saint-Jeures and Araules.

Following the signposted route, you enter the charming village of Saint-Jeures. The fountain by the church and the picnic table provide a refreshing break.

The return route, after passing through the hamlet of Les Moulins, takes a path through the woods alongside the Domazet plant conservatory, between Les Moulins and Combe-Martin, on the banks of the Mousse. The botanical and landscape richness of this remarkable plant association.

It’s a smooth ride to Freycenet.