Saint-Just-En-Chevalet offers a choice of hikes of varying difficulty, mountain biking trips and historic sights. Natural sites and a seasonal swimming pool round out the options. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it helps to decide what you want to focus on first: outdoor activities, local history or a mix of several themes.
Hiking by difficulty and theme
The Chemin bourru is an easy 5.3-kilometre circular hike near the village. Also easy and accessible to everyone, the Circuit du patrimoine is a circular route near the village where you can discover local heritage as well as history and nature. Le bois des clous offers a different focus: this moderately difficult loop follows roads and trails around Saint-Just-en-Chevalet and passes through the historic district of the Château de Contenson. This gives you two clear criteria to choose from: difficulty and theme. The features of the Chemin bourru may change; check the current trail information before setting out.
Mountain biking on the trail network
The Espace VTT-FFC du Massif des Bois Noirs permanently comprises 76 signposted, maintained mountain bike trails marked by the FFC. Together, they form a 1,520-kilometre network with starting points in 26 municipalities. The offer therefore covers a wider area and differs from focusing on a single loop near the village. The trail network may continue to evolve, so it’s helpful to plan your ride using the current routes.
Chapel and castle remains
The Chapelle Notre Dame du château stands on a promontory below the castle ruins. It was probably built between 1342 and 1361 on the site of an older chapel dating back at least to the 11th century. Two building phases separated by a considerable span of time thus meet at this site. Paintings and frescoes discovered in the chapel were identified by visual arts specialists. At the Porte du château et ses remparts, visitors can pass through the main gate and see the visible remains of the castle built in the 12th century. The chapel and gate offer different points of interest: the history of a religious building and the visible layout of the castle.
Gorges du Ban and granite boulder
The Gorges du Ban wind through wooded slopes in Saint-Just-en-Chevalet. Another natural feature is the Pierre branlante du Maillet, near a bridge over the Ban: a pointed granite boulder about three metres high. The two descriptions present different scales: a landscape winding through wooded slopes, and a striking, single rock formation. This lets you experience nature both as a larger landform and through a specific geological feature.
Crafts and seasonal swimming pool
At the Artisanat du Pays d’Urfé, around forty craftspeople take turns demonstrating their skills on Sunday afternoons and public holidays. The crafts and products on show include pottery, carpentry, wool and leather goods, as well as sheepskin slippers, syrups and herbal teas. The crafts offer a different focus from the trails and historic buildings. Demonstration days may change; check the dates before your visit.
In 2026, access to the Piscine municipale La Baïne is seasonal. The water is heated to 26°C, and water games and a shaded lawn for sunbathing round out the facilities. Plan your visit during the season.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Noailly, Saint-Priest-En-Jarez, Saint-Marcellin-En-Forez, Briennon, Fourneaux, Bessey, Neaux, PĂ©lussin.
Back to the main travel overview: Loire.
