The haut allier
For the seriously active or the meditationally aware, there is room for all in the Haut Allier. Peace and quiet or adventure are never far from each other and you can indulge and explore at your own rhythm.
The area has long been known for its hiking and the miles of paths attract walkers and mountain bikers from the world over. The river Allier is known as one ot "the last wild rivers" of Europe and a short canoe trip, or even a paddle, will show you why.
Of course, one can always just relax...
...but then, it would be a shame not to enjoy a little exercise and put oneself back in touch with the Earth. Besides, the bottle of wine can wait till the evening.
on water
With more than 3500 km of waterways and the beautiful gorges of the Allier there are plenty of oppotunities to partake in a variety of watersports from "hot-dogging" to fly fishing.
For the fishing enthusiast, a "carte" will cost 62€ for the year or 30€ for a fortnight; more information can be found here. (in French) A personal view of the Allier and fishing can be read here. Or, visit the national wild salmon centre at Chanteugues.
For the more active there are plenty of centres offering kayaking, canoeing and rafting etc. The Allier boasts more than 90km of navigable river.
- Cap Vacances - Brioude
- Tonic Aventures - Langeac
- Soifakro Canoe - Chilhac
- Tonic Rafting - Monistrol
- UCPA - Prades
- Sportival - Villeneuve
- Brioude Canoe Club
For a map and links to many of the water sports click here.
on land
If walking is your thing, you'll be spoilt here as there are plenty of oppotunities for the casual walker and the serious trekker. The "Chemin de St Jaques" is well known, but there are pleny of long and short "ballades" on offer to explore the "sucs", the plateau, the gorges and the mountains. To lazy to carry your pack? Then, hire a donkey and, like J.L. Stevenson, the Haute Loire is for you to explore. Take your bike along the kilometres of "VTT" trails or go horse riding - All can be found in the Haut Allier. Even in winter there is plenty of reason to get out doors to ski, go walking in snow shoes, or even dog-sledding. If scaling heights or jumping into a void is your cup of tea there exist several sites for climbing and even bungie jumping...
Links to various sites offering services and information for the walker, climber, biker and the like, can be found here :
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Mountain Biking
- Tourist guide VTT - Brioude
- Centre VTT - Chomelix - 410 km
- VTT le Velay des Trois Rivieres 700km
- 30 circuits from the Office Tourism
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For bike hire, contact the nearest tourist office.
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For rock climbing there are sites throughout the Haute Loire - demand at the local tourist office for directions.
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Forest high wires -
- Aventure forêt - Langeac
- Aventure Forêt - Les Estables
- Parcours en Forêt - Chambon s Lignon
busy doing nothing
Of course you can always escape to a corner of a field, forest, or river bank and do what most of us do best...
