Queyrières lies at the western foot of the Meygal massif. The northwestern slope of Testavoyre belongs to Queyrières; at 1,436 m, the mountain is the highest point in the Meygal. This offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay: hiking, nature and crafts. The local trails and sights differ in their themes and in how they are described—with a route, an approximate duration or a destination of their own.
Meygal, Sucs and Rocher
At Col de Raffy in Queyrières, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Sucs landscape. The Sucs around the pass are volcanic domes without craters, formed by the region’s volcanic past. Rocher de Queyrières tells a different geological story: it is the remnant of a former volcanic vent, exposed by the erosion of the surrounding deep rock. This makes it possible to distinguish two different geological formations in the area, rather than treating them as the same feature.
A hike of about 30 minutes takes you around the village at Rocher de Queyrières. Information panels explain how the rock was formed and describe various uses of the stone. The Rocher is accessible via the access road to the village. The information along the way connects the rock’s formation with the use of the stone—two aspects that shape the content of the walk.
Hiking trails and nature themes
The botanical educational trail starts in Fournial and comprises two paths that make a 4 km circuit around Mézères. Information panels along the trail introduce the local fauna and flora. Unlike the hike at the Rocher, which is described by its approximate duration, this trail is described by its distance. The paths also have different thematic focuses: here, the local plant and animal life takes centre stage; there, geology and the use of stone.
The GR®65 offers another option: from Queyrières, it heads towards the hamlet of Raffy. If you are considering different types of hiking during your stay, you can compare these details with the specific information provided by the panels and trails.
Suchaillou: art and a place to rest
Suchaillou is an art refuge in Queyrières, located on the Way of St. James. It is intended as a place for hikers and pilgrims to rest or spend the night. The structure is built of dry stone masonry with a phonolite cantilever; local craftspeople contributed their expertise to its construction. Facilities include an outdoor water point, an orientation panel and dry toilets. Art, local craftsmanship and these facilities come together in one place. This makes Suchaillou a distinct point of interest for hikers and pilgrims, alongside the area’s landscapes and geological features.
A seasonal option in the Meygal
The Meygal Nordic area is 2 km east of Queyrières, at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,450 m. It offers 44 km of groomed trails for classic cross-country skiing and skating. Seasonal availability may vary; if cross-country skiing is important to your trip, check availability for your planned dates. The trail offer differs considerably from the hiking routes described above: it is a distinct seasonal option, with two designated skiing styles and a specific total distance.
For planning your time, you can take into account the 4 km botanical educational trail and the approximately 30 minutes for the hike at the Rocher; the GR®65 heads towards Raffy, while the availability of the trail network east of Queyrières may vary by season. This lets you choose what suits your stay in Queyrières—from botanical panels and geological formations to art and cross-country skiing.
Discover more destinations: Sainte-Florine, Rauret, Vorey, Saint-Bonnet-Le-Froid, Cayres, Saint-Front, Saint-Austremoine, Saint-Paul-De-Tartas.
For the main travel overview: Haute-Loire.
