Twenty species of bat live in the Vallée de la Senouire Natura 2000 site; hiking and fishing are also popular leisure activities there.

Landscapes and natural sites

Lac du Bouchet lies in an ancient volcanic crater. The Ravin de Corboeuf near Rosières offers a very different landscape: a multicoloured clay canyon. The two natural features are markedly different: here, the crater shape defines the site; there, the multicoloured rock formations take centre stage. Allègre–Le Mont-Bar is among Haute-Loire’s publicly accessible natural sites and has an interpretation centre.

Hiking and cycling

The GR470 Sources et gorges de l’Allier is 190 kilometres long and can be completed in eleven stages. Its route passes through steep gorges, over granite or basalt plateaus, and across heathland and forests. For the GR470, you can combine a train journey to Brioude with a hike towards Langogne and a return trip by train. The GR®65 Saint-Jacques de Compostelle is also one of the major hiking trails associated with Haute-Loire. For help planning a hike in Livradois-Forez, the RANDO portal provides descriptions, illustrations, guidebooks and 3D routes.

For cyclists, the Via Fluvia in Haute-Loire comprises a 62-kilometre véloroute and greenway from Lavoûte-sur-Loire to the Tunnel du Tracol. On its paved section, it follows a former railway line with a gentle gradient; this section is open to cycling and other non-motorised activities. The route figures reflect different scales: the GR470 is 190 kilometres long and has eleven stages, while this Via Fluvia section is 62 kilometres long.

Waterways and activities

The Gorges de l’Allier offer around 100 kilometres of canoeing and kayaking routes. On the Loire, a canoe route between Lavoûte-sur-Loire and Aurec-sur-Loire can be planned over a distance of 10 to 70 kilometres. The Allier canoe route from Prades is described as accessible to everyone and is rated difficulty level 2. Leisure activities in the département also include swimming, hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and white-water sports, as well as Cani-rando, Vélorail and putting golf. Tourist trains offer guided insights into natural landscapes, panoramas and village history.

History, crafts and regional specialities

Château de Chavaniac-Lafayette is the birthplace of General Lafayette. Arlempdes, Lavaudieu and Pradelles are characterful villages to explore for their history. Le Puy-en-Velay, with its cathedral and monuments, is connected to the UNESCO-listed routes of the Way of St James. The Musée Crozatier is also among Haute-Loire’s museums and exhibition venues.

Beyond the sights, the Route des Savoir-Faire de Haute-Loire offers an insight into a range of occupations, including company visits, introductory workshops with craftspeople and farm visits. Haute-Loire specialities include Fin Gras du Mézenc, Lentilles Vertes du Puy, Verveine and Agneau noir du Velay. Lentille Verte du Puy is grown in the Velay between 600 and 1,200 metres above sea level, in 87 communes and mainly on volcanic soils. In 1996, it became the first dried vegetable to receive AOC protection; today it is protected as an AOP.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Martin-De-Fugères, Roche-En-Régnier, Allègre, Arlempdes, Autrac, Bellevue-La-Montagne, Brioude, Cayres, Céaux-D'allègre, Cerzat, Chamalières-Sur-Loire, Jullianges, La Chapelle-Bertin, Langeac, Lapte, Lavaudieu, Le Brignon, Montregard, Paulhaguet, Puy-En-Velay, Queyrières, Saint Beauzire, Saint-Bérain, Saint-Georges-D'aurac, Saint-Jean-Lachalm, Saint-Julien-D'ance, Saint-Julien-Du-Pinet, Saint-Maurice-De-Lignon, Saint-Paul-De-Tartas, Saint-Paulien, Saint-Vénérand, Saugues, Vergezac, Vergongheon, Vielprat, Villeneuve-D'allier, Yssingeaux, Prades, Couteuges, Saint-Victor-Malescours, Saint-Julien-Des-Chazes, Saint-Just-Près-Brioude, Retournac, Blesle, Blassac, Saint-Privat-D'allier, Beaulieu, Vorey, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Froid, Lempdes Sur Allagnon, Laussonne, Montagnac, Les Estables, Saint-Julien-Chapteuil, Beaux, Saint-Arcons-De-Barges, Paulhac, Saint-Hilaire, Vernassal, Saint-Front, La Chomette, Monistrol-Sur-Loire, La Chaise-Dieu, Alleyras, Solignac-Sous-Roche, Saint-Privat-Du-Dragon, Salzuit, Le Monastier-Sur-Gazeille, Sainte-Florine, Moudeyres, Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, Lavoûte-Chilhac, Alleyrac, Saint-Ilpize, Sanssac-L'église, Saint-Didier-En-Velay, Craponne-Sur-Arzon, Cussac-Sur-Loire, Pradelles, Tence, Ouides, Valprivas, Saint-Christophe-D'allier, Dunières, Saint-Just-Malmont, Lantriac, Tailhac, Chastel, Chaspuzac, Malvières, Blavozy, Azerat, Vieille-Brioude, Saint-Hostien, Saint-Georges-Lagricol, Saint-Jeures, Monistrol-D'allier, Pinols, Malrevers, Polignac, Loudes, Brives-Charensac, Bains, Saint-Didier-Sur-Doulon, Chanteuges, Connangles, Chilhac, Monlet, Goudet, Freycenet-La-Cuche, Rauret, Bas-En-Basset, Champclause, Chomelix, Mazet-Saint-Voy, Le Pertuis, Saint-Pierre-Eynac, Charraix, Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, Champagnac-Le-Vieux, Beauzac, Aiguilhe, Sembadel, La Chapelle-Geneste, Saint-Arcons-D'allier, Les Vastres, Saint-Géron, Varennes-Saint-Honorat, Saint-Austremoine, Saint-Vincent, Coubon, Saint-Pal-De-Chalencon, Landos, Saint-Julien-Molhesabate, Vals-Près-Le-Puy, Freycenet-la-Tour, Venteuges, Lorlanges, Lavoûte-sur-Loire, Mazerat-Aurouze, Solignac-sur-Loire, Chavaniac-Lafayette, Araules, Montfaucon-en-Velay, Séneujols, Laval-sur-Doulon, Grazac, Saint-Romain-Lachalm, Salettes, Tiranges, Arsac-en-Velay, Saint-Pierre-du-Champ, Beaune-sur-Arzon, Saint-Pal-de-Senouire, Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison

For the main travel overview: Auvergne.