OpenRandoAll departments

Hiking by department · 43

Hiking in Haute-Loire

48

routes

9.3 km

median distance

198 m

median elevation gain

The gorges rule everything here. Aurec-sur-Loire and Bas-en-Basset line the river where it cuts between wooded granite slopes, with reservoirs and castles perched above.

Grazac, Saint-Julien-Molhesabate and Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid sit high on the Velay plateau and the Boutières, on the Ardèche border: volcanic sucs, beech woods and a harsh climate felt from autumn onwards.

The department is also the historic start of the Via Podiensis, the Compostela route leaving Le Puy-en-Velay, which draws walkers from across Europe.

When to go — May to October on the plateaux, which take snow in winter; the Loire gorges stay accessible longer thanks to their lower altitude.

OpenRando lists 48 hiking routes in Haute-Loire. The median distance is 9.3 km, and most routes fall between 4.3 and 16.6 km — from an afternoon loop to a full day out.

On the climbing side, the median elevation gain is 198 m, and the most demanding routes exceed 390 m. Enough range to pick your effort by season and by form.

The most common starting points cluster around: Aurec-sur-Loire, Saint-Julien-Molhesabate, Grazac, Bas-en-Basset, Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, Monistrol-sur-Loire. Every route comes with its GPX track, elevation profile and interactive map.

Longest routes in Haute-Loire

  • Boucle Lac de Lavalette – Moulin de la Papeterie au départ de Parking handicapés28.3 km
  • Boucle Le Grand Felletin – Grand Felletin au départ de Saint-Julien-Molhesabate20.9 km
  • Boucle Ruines du château de Carry – Les barrys au départ de Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon20.1 km

All routes in Haute-Loire