Among chapel ruins in the Côtes forests, marked circular trails and the Via Arverna, Ferrières-Saint-Mary offers visitors a variety of ways to explore on foot. The trails vary considerably in length and time required: from a route of about one hour to hikes of almost four hours.

Circular Walks by Duration and Route Profile

La Chapeloune is a 3.5 km blue-marked circular walk that takes about an hour. It leads to chapel ruins hidden in the Côtes forests. The equally blue-marked Les Gorges de la Bouzaire loop is 6 km long and takes about two hours; it runs through a gorge and along a sheltered, moss-covered path. For a longer outing, the Vallée de Valjouze offers a yellow-marked circular walk of 10.5 km, taking about three hours and 40 minutes. It passes through wooded terrain with a variety of tree species.

The green Mont-Journal trail is listed as 12.5 km long and about four hours, reaching an elevation of 1,183 metres. The different distances and walking times make it easier to choose between a short loop and a longer hike. Times are approximate; trail conditions may change.

Pilgrimage Route and Nature along the Alagnon

The Via Arverna is a different undertaking: a branch route of the Way of St James that crosses the entire municipality of Ferrières-Saint-Mary. The 22.9 km stage from Ferrières-Saint-Mary to Neussargues-en-Pinatelle starts at the village church and is rated difficult. Trail conditions and waymarking may change; check your plans before setting out.

The educational trail along the Alagnon River runs through a riparian forest in the Natura 2000 zone, between the tourist accommodation area and the centre of Ferrières. Four panels provide information about the fauna, flora and dynamics of the Alagnon Valley. Panels on the banks of the Alagnon in Ferrières also explain the river’s abundant fish life.

Churches and Local Heritage

The Church of Saint-Mary-le-Cros has a Romanesque choir, a nave rebuilt in the 19th century and wall paintings beneath the whitewash. The church, its cemetery and the mission cross have been listed as historic monuments since 7 December 1992. Visits are free every day throughout the year and are available on request; a guided tour is also offered at 3 pm on Thursdays from July to September. Check the visit or tour time in advance.

A wooden reliquary, believed to be the sarcophagus of Saint Mary, is incorporated into the former 19th-century high altar. In the Church of Ferrières, a 15th-century reliquary arm of Saint Mary is on public display in a secure glass case; the display may change. The Chaire de Saint Mary is a chair-shaped block of basalt with fingerprints on the armrests.

The Fontaine Saint-Austremoine near the village of Lachaud also combines a historic structure with a specific visitor amenity: the vaulted stone spring is attributed to Merovingian architecture of the 5th or 6th century. A shaded picnic table stands nearby for visitors. From Mont Journal, the panoramic views extend over the Planèze de Saint-Flour, the Cézallier, the Margeride and the Monts du Cantal. There is an orientation table and information panels at the summit; additional information panels stand near the Chaire de Saint Mary.

Farm Visits and Local Events

The Ferme du Mont Journal offers farm tours by reservation, featuring Aubrac cattle and pigs kept on straw, followed by a tasting. Visits are offered on Mondays at 2:30 pm in July and August. Dates and reservation conditions may change, so it is advisable to check before travelling. Direct sales from the farm are available by appointment from Monday to Saturday; you should also confirm the time in advance.

Every year on the third weekend in October, Ferrières-Saint-Mary hosts the apple cider and apple festival, “Fête du cidre et de la pomme”; the exact event dates may vary. Another activity, the outdoor escape game “Les secrets de l’Ermite de Ferrières,” combines heritage exploration with the natural surroundings. Check whether it is available before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Ruynes-en-Margeride, Pers, Roumégoux, Lanobre, Bassignac, Saint-Gérons, Lascelle, Arches.

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.