The marked circular hike “Le petit Saint Aubin” leads from L’Escapad’ to the Chapelle Saint-Aubin and the Chabanat spring: one of several ways to discover Saint-Genès-Champanelle on foot. There are also orienteering courses, paths through forests and hamlets, and historic buildings. When planning, you can therefore decide whether to focus on a longer hike, a route with questions about local history, or individual heritage sites.
Volcanic Landscapes and Protected Natural Areas
Saint-Genès-Champanelle lies within the UNESCO World Heritage site “Haut lieu tectonique Chaîne des Puys – faille de Limagne”. The area is of volcanic origin and was added to the World Heritage List in 2018. The Parc naturel régional des volcans d’Auvergne also covers the entire municipality.
Other named natural areas add to the landscape’s diversity: the Gorges de l’Artière between Berzet and the Plat d’Auzat near Theix are part of the Natura 2000 site “Vallées et coteaux xérothermiques des Couzes et des Limagnes”. The Puys de la Vache and de Lassolas are part of the Natura 2000 site “Chaîne des Puys”. You will also come across these names on the hikes: for example, the “Randonnée Charade | Depuis L’Escapad” route offers views of the puy de Dôme and the Gorges de l’Artière; the path at the Croix de Beaune looks out towards the puys de la Vache, de Lassolas and de Mercoeur.
Hiking and Orienteering Around L’Escapad’
L’Escapad’ is a centre for outdoor sports and nature-based leisure activities, visitor information and access to outdoor activities. Activities available there include hiking, Nordic walking, running, trail running, orienteering, mountain biking and cycling. Numerous paths in Saint-Genès-Champanelle are open to walkers, horse riders and mountain bikers.
The circular hike “Le petit Saint Aubin” is marked, 10 kilometres long and accessible daily from 1 January to 31 December. It leads from L’Escapad’ to the Chapelle Saint-Aubin and the Chabanat spring. The sporting orienteering course is shorter, at 3.2 kilometres, and has a different focus: there are questions about local history at twelve control points; the course is free to access. These are two distinct options in terms of both length and focus—a hiking route or orienteering with questions about local history.
Saint-Genès-Champanelle also has a permanent sports and family orienteering course with a questionnaire. You can get the free information map for the family orienteering course at the L’Escapad’ reception desk, the starting point of the route. To choose the format that suits you, distinguish these options from the 10-kilometre circular trail: the details about distance and control points refer to the sporting orienteering course, while the information map provides the starting point for the family course.
Forest Paths, Hamlets and Heritage
The “Balade en forêt | Depuis L’Escapad” hike leads through shady woodland and offers a view of the puy de Dôme. The route also passes through the traditional hamlet of Beaune-le-Chaud; along the way, you will come across well-preserved washhouses, fountains and rural buildings. This route brings nature and traces of rural life together.
The “Randonnée Charade | Depuis L’Escapad” leads into the Charade area and to the tombeau de Thèdes. It also passes through Manson and Berzet, where you can discover washhouses, chapels, crosses and covered fountains built of lava stone. Views of the puy de Dôme and the Gorges de l’Artière are also part of this hike. The tombeau de Thèdes is the Chapelle Gonod, a funerary chapel built in the 19th century for Benoit Gonod and his wife. A path that circles the chapel offers panoramic views of the village, the Circuit de Charade and the Limagne plain.
The circular route at the Croix de Beaune is another option for different groups: it is considered relatively easy and flat, and is suitable for families, beginners and school groups. Along with its views of three named puys, this route can be considered separately from the 10-kilometre hike to the Chapelle Saint-Aubin. The available information about distance and route characteristics can help you choose without needing to estimate a walking time.
Practical Information About the Chapelle Saint-Aubin
The Chapelle Saint-Aubin was inaugurated in 1954 and houses the Chabana spring, also known as Chabanat. It lies on the “Le petit Saint Aubin” circular hike, but visitors can only see it from the outside. If you are planning this hike, you can include the spring and chapel as stops along the route, while bearing in mind that the interior is not open to visitors.
Getting to L’Escapad’
L’Escapad’ is accessible on bus line P39 via the “St Genès Centre” stop. Check the timetable before travelling. This point of reference is especially useful if you want to include activities starting there in your plans, such as “Le petit Saint Aubin”, the orienteering courses, or hikes connected with L’Escapad’.
Discover more destinations: Ennezat, Joze, Sainte-Agathe, Saint-Nectaire, La Chapelle-Agnon, Gouttières, Pontaumur, Égliseneuve-Des-Liards.
For the wider travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
