Montgreleix combines opportunities for hiking with scenery and village history. The village is a stage on the Tour des Vaches Rouges circular hike, also known as the Tour du Cézallier. Montgreleix also offers opportunities for hiking, horse riding, mountain biking and fishing. Two hikes have specific time estimates; Lac des Estives and the Église Saint Laurent church round out the picture of the village.

Hiking around Montgreleix

The Tour des Vaches Rouges stage from Montgreleix to Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues is 12.4 kilometres long and takes 3 hours 30 minutes. It is described as the easiest of all the stages and descends throughout, except for the final kilometre. Check trail conditions and waymarking before setting out. This lets you factor both the stated duration and the described route into your plans for this stage.

Another hike is Sancy Tour No. 16. The hike takes 2.5 hours and leads through the summer pastures and expansive meadows of the Cézallier. It offers views of the Massif du Sancy and the Monts du Cantal; along the route, you can also discover Montgreleix’s traditional craft skills. Based on the stated times, this hike is shorter than the stage to Égliseneuve-d’Entraigues. The two estimates help you choose between different time slots, although they do not describe the same route.

Mountain Views and Fishing at Lac des Estives

Mont Chamaroux rises to 1,476 metres above Montgreleix. Its summit offers panoramic views. Together with the views from Sancy Tour No. 16, this gives you two distinct points of reference for the scenery on your trip: the individual summit above the village and views of two named mountain regions along the hike.

Lac des Estives covers three hectares and is bordered by a fir forest along its upper edge. The lake is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and a few trophy trout. The fly-fishing reservoir at Lac des Estives is open to anglers year-round. This makes the lake a destination for anglers as well as a scenic spot. Hiking, horse riding and mountain biking are also among the activities available in Montgreleix.

Church and Village History

The Église Saint Laurent was rebuilt after the fire of 1884. Inside is a polychrome Baroque altarpiece. The building’s history and its furnishings offer two different ways to learn about the church: the rebuilding recalls the events of 1884, while the altarpiece reflects its Baroque furnishings.

A Greeters experience described in April 2024 included a guided tour of Montgreleix’s history, from the Neolithic period to the First World War, as well as a tour of the church. Check whether the experience is available before your trip. This gives you a clear choice when planning: hiking times and scenery alongside fishing and a visit focused on history.

Discover more destinations: Vitrac, Montsalvy, Lapeyrugue, Ally, Saint-Étienne-Cantalès, Chaussenac, Lavastrie, Allanche

For the broader travel guide: Cantal.