Elevation Profile
311–1095 m
Sainte-Agathe, a Sicilian legend rooted in the Forez
This loop leads from Thiers to Lac d’Aubusson, then to Olliergues beside the Dore, before climbing through meadows and beech woodland to La Renaudie. It winds through villages and hamlets, crosses the Aiguebonne state forest, and descends to Sainte-Agathe and its church, rich in heritage associated with the saint. It then passes Château de Vaulx and finishes through the spectacular Vallée des Rouets beside the Durolle, returning to Thiers, capital of cutlery.
At a Glance
- Duration
- 120.0hrs
- Distance
- 94.7km
- Elevation +
- +3083 m
- Elevation -
- -3085 m
At a Glance
Live Weather
Departure / Arrival · Thiers
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Field notes and images
Sur le chemin
Captured by Association Chemin de Sainte-Agathe
Le balisage
Captured by Association Chemin de Sainte-Agathe
Explore Nearby
2 days of bivouac on Hautes-Chaumes
Between the jasseries, the peat bogs and the panoramas of the Alps on a clear day, here is a bivouac on the volcanic ridges of Livradois-Forez immersed in nature and accessible by train.
Around the Couzon valley (circuit n°8)
Very nice, varied marked circuit, which alternates descents and climbs on paths presenting several technical passages (deep ruts, slopes, small screes). In particular, you should be particularly vigilant during the first descent between Ollières and the Mégain bridge, especially if you have not had the opportunity to warm up a little beforehand. The circuit then runs along the western part of Lake Aubusson before passing near the Notre-Dame d'Espinasse chapel built just above a miraculous spring from which water springs which can treat and cure certain skin diseases such as eczema...
Fairy Walk
Departure: church square. Walk past the church then follow the road to the railway line. Before this, turn right and follow the street for 500 m. Head towards the D 906. Cross it to take the road opposite, be careful of fast traffic (direction la Brousse). Turn left and join La Brousse. 1. In the hamlet, take the path on the left, just after the fountain. Continue on this same path to the village of Chaumies (viewpoint over the Forez mountains). At the first houses, take the path opposite. The path becomes a road that we always follow. At the last house, leave the road and take the path opposite. Leave the first path on the right which goes down into the woods. 2. At the top of the hill, at the crow's feet, take the path on the right (viewpoint). Go down towards the stream and continue along the same path. Arriving at the road, turn right towards the hamlet of l'Eschalier. At the first houses, turn left to join the road. Cross it to take the small road opposite. 3. At the transformer, turn right onto the road then, 150 meters further, follow the D44 on your left for approximately 1.5 km. 4. At the cross, continue to the right on the D 308 and join the D 906 (be careful of fast traffic). Cross it to reach the church square in Néronde-sur-Dore.