At the entrance to Pailherols, Le Vestiaire du berger symbolically marks the starting point for the ascent to the summer pastures. The village brings together several specific travel interests: hiking and cycling routes, art connected with pastoral culture, cheese-making and seasonal cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. When choosing your travel dates, it is worth paying particular attention to the activities you would like to focus on.
Hiking trails, cycling routes and winter ski trails
There are 60 kilometres of hiking trails starting from Pailherols. Options range from family outings to more challenging hikes. Cyclists can also choose between two named types of route: three mountain-bike circuits start in Pailherols, and two road-cycling routes also begin there. Hiking and cycling can therefore be considered as distinct focuses for your trip.
In winter, the cross-country skiing and snowshoeing area of Pailherols is located in the Volcans d’Auvergne Regional Nature Park. The ski trails are graded green, blue and red, and range from 3 to 12 kilometres in length. The colour grades and distances provide concrete points of reference when choosing a trail. The winter activities are clearly distinct from the hiking and cycling routes described as other things to do in Pailherols.
Art and traces of pastoral culture
Ma montagne extends through the landscape along a hiking trail. The artwork comprises around forty sculptures inspired by the traditional movable barriers used by herders. Here, pastoral culture is encountered not only in historical accounts, but also as the subject of an artwork along a trail. Le Vestiaire du berger provides another focal point: the installation at the entrance to the village symbolically marks the beginning of the ascent to the summer pastures.
The Sentier du Colporteur also draws on a local story. Small markers along the hiking trail tell the legend of Notre Dame de Pailherols; the drawings were made by children from the village. If you plan to take this trail, check local conditions before setting out. The Chapelle du Cantal is also part of the history of the herders: it was founded on 22 August 1687 and served as a chapel for the highland herders during the summer grazing season.
Cheese-making and seasonal events
In the village centre, the GAEC Prunet cheese dairy continues the traditional art of cheese-making. AOP Salers cheese is made there only when the cows are in the summer pastures, while Cantal is made all year round. This distinction makes the season a practical consideration when planning a trip for cheese enthusiasts. Milking visits take place Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. and are limited to a maximum of 15 people.
The Fête des Fromages de Tradition in Pailherols includes rides with herds to the summer pastures. The programme may vary, so check the event details for your preferred travel date. Every year, a pilgrimage and procession take place at the church in Pailherols on the Sunday after 15 August. Confirm the date locally for your specific trip. This makes it possible to take seasonal cheese-making, winter ski trails and the various events into account when choosing your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Lacapelle-Viescamp, Jou-Sous-Monjou, Marcenat, Valette, Tournemire, Murat, Vezels Roussy, Nieudan
For the broader travel overview: Cantal.
