Pinols offers several different ways to enjoy a stay: circular walks through coniferous forests, a mountain-bike route leading to a memorial site, and traces of the area’s church and mining history. There is also the Ferme du Boussillon, which offers farm visits and regional products. You can weigh up which of these aspects to focus on when planning your excursions.
Walking and mountain biking around Pinols
The PR322 La Pierre Trouée is a circular walk starting in Pinols. It is signposted as a Petite Randonnée (short-distance hiking) route. Along the way, forest clearings open up views of the Sancy amid extensive coniferous forests. The route combines a walk with a landscape that unfolds through its clearings and distant views. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
Le chemin de la Résistance offers a different kind of circuit: this signposted mountain-bike route also starts in Pinols and is 32.8 kilometres long. It leads to the Monument National de la Résistance, which is a memorial site, a museum and a picnic area. The two routes are distinct in their designated types: the PR322 is a Petite Randonnée walking route, while the Chemin de la Résistance is a mountain-bike circuit. For the latter, the stated distance is a useful guide for planning; no travel time is specified.
When choosing between the routes, you can be guided by these differences: the PR322 is described in terms of forest and views of the Sancy, while the mountain-bike circuit leads to the monument. Both start in Pinols, but each has a different focus. Check local trail conditions before setting out on either route.
Church and mining history
The parish church of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours was built from 1859 onwards to plans by the departmental architect Normand. The construction date and the architect’s name give the church a distinct place in local history. It complements the routes and landscape with a glimpse into Pinols’s architectural history.
The Montgros mine is another part of the area’s history. The deposit was discovered in 1890; it was in continuous, active operation from 1899 to 1906. Operations were permanently discontinued in July 1912. This timeline shows that discovery, active use and closure were separate phases in the history of mining.
The Pinols concession, including the Montgros deposit, extended across the territory of the communes of Desges, Nozeyrolles and Pinols. It lay south of Pinols; the deep Courgueyre ravine cut through the concession. This describes a broader historical and geographical context, not just a single point: the concession’s mining history involved several communes.
Farm visits and products
At the Ferme du Boussillon, the offer includes a visit to the farm, followed by a goûter (afternoon snack) or casse-croûte (light meal). It is best to arrange visits locally in advance. The farm also sells its own products, including cured meats, eggs and small fruits. A farm shop selling products directly is another way to discover these goods.
Pinols offers a range of experiences, from a signposted walking route and a longer mountain-bike circuit to the church, mining history and farming. When choosing accommodation, you can first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay: the PR322 landscape, the route to the monument, the history of Montgros or a farm visit. This gives you a concrete starting point for searching for a holiday rental, without turning the different excursions into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Les Vastres, Rauret, Montregard, Saint-Georges-Lagricol, Saugues, Jullianges, Sainte-Florine, Retournac.
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Loire.
