Velay is at the crossroads on several major hiking trails. It's not unusual to come across pilgrims on the Way of St James, literary types following the Stevenson Trail, fans of the River Loire on the GR3 footpath, history buffs on the Régordane Trails and the pioneers on the new trail between Le Puy-en-Velay and La Chaise-Dieu... among others!
At the crossroads of the major trails
GR70 Stevenson Trail
In the footsteps of Robert-Louis Stevenson… The words sound like the start of an adventure! Stevenson was a hiking pioneer. In 1878 he set off alone from Le Puy-en-Velay and walked all the way to the Cévennes, a region that had fascinated him since his childhood in Scotland. A 252 km-trip where new each day will “carry you body and soul towards another parish of infinity”.
GR3 Loire Trail
The Loire, Europe’s last untamed river… Breathtaking scenery, meanders and natural sites await you on either side. The river makes its way through steep-sided gorges before spreading out in the more fertile basins. Several different hiking options are on offer from Aurec-sur-Loire to Le Puy-en-Velay.
GR40 Velay Volcano Tour
You’re in a wandering mood… Are you reasonably fit? Your laces tied? Are you longing for adventure and hungry to explore new landscapes? Then the Velay Volcanoes tour is made for you. Breathtaking scenery of mountains, volcanic hills and rocks formed one million years ago.
La Chaise-Dieu – Le Puy-en-Velay in 3 days
From La Chaise-Dieu in Le Puy-en-Velay, the region has three one-day hiking stages introducing visitors to Allègre, Saint-Paulien and Le Puy-en-Velay.
GR700 The Regordane Way
Leaving from Le Puy-en-Velay 240 km of trails await you along the Regordane Way as far as Saint-Gilles-du-Gard. This was a route for merchants and mule-drivers. The GR700 footpath was also a pilgrims’ trail leading them to Le Puy-en-Velay and the Black Virgin.
GR430 Way of St Regis
Regis is the patron saint of lacemakers and is also the perfect saint for hikers! In his lifetime, the saint travelled the hills and valleys from Velay to the plateaus of Ardèche. Today, pilgrims and hikers follow in his footsteps and enjoy the serenity and breathtaking beauty of the landscapes.
GR300 Way of St Michael
900 km from Mont-Saint-Michel to Saint-Michel d’Aiguilhe. What an adventure! The trail has revived the old section on the Way of St James along which pilgrims once came from northern France and even further afield, reached Le Puy-en-Velay and then set off to Santiago de Compostella.
Robe de Bure et Cotte de Mailles trail
This is a very enigmatic name for a regional GR® trail! From the Allier gorges to the Forez hills, from Langeac to La Chaise-Dieu, taking in famous castles and churches, not one of the 9 days on the trail should be missed!