When choosing between activities, Bellevue-La-Montagne offers three distinct route profiles: the PR345 Le Monthiol hiking trail, a stage of the GR 765, and a mountain bike loop. The PR345 starts and ends in the village; the western GR 765 Stage 15 runs from here to Saint-Paulien. There are also historic landmarks and a section of the Way of St. James featuring rural heritage. When planning, you can distinguish the routes by activity, time required, distance, and stated difficulty.
Hiking: a short route or a longer stage
The PR345 Le Monthiol starts and ends in Bellevue-La-Montagne. It is rated easy, is 6.1 kilometres long, and takes about one hour and 30 minutes; its maximum elevation is 992 metres. Part of the route follows an old Roman road. This means that both the shared start and finish point and an approximate time are specified for planning. The Roman road also adds a tangible historical connection to the hike.
The GR 765 has a different time frame. Its western Stage 15 starts in Bellevue-La-Montagne and leads to Saint-Paulien. It is 12.8 kilometres long, takes about four hours and ten minutes, is rated difficult, and reaches a maximum elevation of 998 metres. Compared with the PR345, the stage is considerably longer and rated more difficult. By contrast, the maximum elevations of 998 and 992 metres are close. So, when comparing the two hikes, distance, approximate duration, and difficulty rating are useful points of comparison, alongside elevation.
Mountain biking
One cycling option is the signposted Entre Chomelix et Bellevue mountain bike loop in Bellevue-La-Montagne. It is 14.5 kilometres long, takes about one hour, and reaches a maximum elevation of 977 metres. It is rated moderate. The trails are easy to walk or ride on and not very uneven; the route is considered suitable for families. This means its route profile differs from the two hiking trails not only because it is for mountain biking, but also in its stated difficulty and the described trail conditions. You can use the time estimates as a guide for each activity, not as a direct comparison of routes of the same type.
Historic landmarks and the Way of St. James
Since the early Middle Ages, Château de Saint-Just controlled the road between Craponne-sur-Arzon and Le Puy-en-Velay. Of the ancient stronghold of Saint-Just, once flanked by two round towers and two square towers, only one tower and the main residential building remain. This makes it possible to compare the original layout with what survives: one of the four flanking towers remains, along with the main residential building. The former Château de Bellevue-La-Montagne was built in the 15th century by descendants of the d’Allègre family, including the Tourzel and Quesnel families. The ancient stronghold, the medieval road connection, and a 15th-century château provide different historical reference points for the local heritage.
The Chomelix–Saint-Paulien section of the Way of St. James also passes through Bellevue-La-Montagne and features diverse rural heritage. Alongside the named buildings, it offers another perspective on the village’s cultural heritage. Travellers can therefore choose from both specific walking and cycling routes and historical and rural themes when planning their trip.
Discover more destinations: La Chaise-Dieu, Venteuges, Le Bouchet-Saint-Nicolas, Paulhac, Saint-Martin-De-Fugères, Saint-Georges-D'aurac, Chastel, Saint-Just-Près-Brioude.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.
