Hiking holidays

Walking

THE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA PATHWAYS. The stages in the Haute-Loire department are among the most beautiful along the mythic Via Podiensis, which starts in the city of Le Puy-en-Velay. The other pathway, called Via Lemovicensis after the name of a Celtic tribe, crosses the Limousin from the abbey at Vézelay. Although it draws less walkers than the other pathway, it is just as interesting. www.chemins-compostelle.com. (Auvergne, Limousin)

THE MONTAGNE BOURBONNAISE. An unspoilt area that is easy to reach, with unsuspected treasures. 400 km of marked paths crisscross the undulating green countryside. (Allier, Auvergne)

STEVENSON’S TRAIL. In the steps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey Modestine, this beautiful long-distance path is as wonderful as the masterpiece that every self-respecting walker should read!(Haute-Loire, Auvergne and Lozère)

TAKE A WALK AS A FAMILY, for a day or more, to explore the Limousin and Auvergnat countryside accompanied by a donkey to carry the luggage - and the children when they get tired. www.ane-et-rando.com, www.bourricot.com and www.anes-de-vassiviere.com.(Auvergne, Limousin)

FOR ALL TYPES OF OUTING: walking, canoeing, biking,horse-riding..., e-toil is a unique and innovating project that provides everyone with the opportunity of preparing their routes, whatever the means of travel. www.e-toil.org. (Limousin)

THE MILLEVACHES PLATEAU. Discover the heather and broom-covered moors, and the peat bogs so characteristic of the Millevaches Plateau, with water and yet more water everywhere. Perhaps you’ll come across some of the species so symbolic of the plateau, such as otters, or perhaps the incredible carnivorous plant known as sundew. (Limousin)

THE DORDOGNE GORGES AND VALLEY. Wild and historic sites are reached via scenic view-points and picturesque little towns. Many trails and paths lead to the rich heritage sites and natural beauty of the upper Dordogne valley, where runs the longest river in France. (Corrèze, Limousin)

THE AUBRAC ON FOOT. Lying on the borders between the Cantal, Lozère and Aveyron departments, the Aubrac is a vast granite and basalt plateau. Its boundless horizons, quality of light and mysterious atmosphere are bewitching. And the spectacle created by the rebirth of its exceptional variety of plants - over 1,000 different species, some of which are very rare is intensely moving. For more information: www.lozere-tourisme.com. (Lozère, Auvergne)

MONT LOZÈRE. Chaotic piles of rocks, dozens of springs, deeply carved trackways, terraces clinging to the hillsides and pasturelands compose an enchanting landscape full of character. (Lozère)

Mountain bike

THE GUÉRET HILLS AREA. 29 marked circuits covering 546 km along with a downhill stage combine physically demanding rides with discovery of the local heritage. (Limousin, Creuse)

THE MONÉDIÈRES BASE. Here 12 circuits from 10 to 50 km long welcome all mountain bikers, from beginner to accomplished.(Corrèze, Limousin)

LEISURE CYCLISTS will enjoy the 180 km of marked tracks around the Château of Sédières, in the vicinity of the Dordogne gorges. (Corrèze, Limousin)

THE GEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF THE LOZÈRE department offers a multitude of paths through wild countryside, unspoiled scenery and marked tracks surrounded by exceptional wild animal and plant life. www.lozere-tourisme.com (Lozère)

LONG-DISTANCE PATH OVER THE MASSIF CENTRAL. The remarkably beautiful itinerary takes 10 to 20 days to complete, and takes you through the Auvergne volcanoes, the Margeride region and limestone plateaux, to finish on the shores of the Mediterranean. Pure adventure. (Auvergne, Lozère)

THE TRAILS ACROSS THE LIVRADOIS-FOREZ MOUNTAINS can be “tailor-made” for mountain bikers: ranging from a simple week-end to a complete tour, there are multiple possibilities thanks to the many centres and guides just for mountain bikers. The region also offers the opportunity for dedicated downhill bikers to practice their favourite sport. www.parc-livradois-forez.org. (Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne)

Cycling tours

THERE ARE NO LESS THAN 32 CIRCUITS IN THE AUVERGNE, on varied and unusual themes, recommended by the Regional League of the French Cycle Touring Federation, including the Cantal round tour or the Three Lakes tour. (Auvergne)

THE HISTORIC RICHARD I “COEUR DE LION” ROUTE. On this tour you ride between feudal castles and fortresses, all of particular interest for their architecture and history. (Haute-Vienne, Limousin)

You can have a go at one of the 2004 TOUR DE FRANCE STAGES, from Limoges to Saint-Flour, or the Tour du Limousin (472 km). Many tours for families or for confirmed enthusiasts in Corrèze. A guide book describing family tours on roads with little traffic is available free from the Departmental Tourism Committee (Comité Départemental du Tourisme) and in the department’s Tourist Information Offices. (Corrèze, Limousin)

Golf

Appreciate the quality of the GOLF COURSE AT BRIVE PLANCHETORTE designed by the English architect Jeremy Pern in a listed site, or the Porcelaine golf course with its woods and valleys near Limoges, which ranks as one of the 25 most beautiful golf courses in France. A golf passport available at very reasonable prices gives access to 3 or 5 courses. Go to golfenlimousin.fr. (Limousin)

THE VICHY SPORTING CLUB GOLF COURSE is one of the oldest in France. The 18 holes take you around an immense English-style park. (Allier, Auvergne)

THE ROCHER DU SABOT GOLF COURSE appears high over a promontory above the small town of La Canourgue in Lozère.

Golfers can find here an 18 holes course, with a club house and a restaurant. Near the golf course, 22 chalets border the swimming pool in a peaceful and beautiful green park. (Lozère)

Board sports

In the winter, come skiing, ON THE SLOPES OF THE VOLCANOES, sledging with the family, take long walks on snow shoes or appreciate the quality and beauty of the Nordic ski pistes. Firesides, regional culinary specialities and unspoilt villages add still more charm to the winter in the Massif Central. (Auvergne, Limousin, Lozère)

Horse-riding

ON HORSEBACK IN THE SANCY MOUNTAINS. Ride through the volcanic mountains of the Sancy towards the Fontaine Salée glacier valley to admire the wild animals that live along the ridges: chamois, mouflon sheep, marmots, peregrine falcon, etc.(Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne)

ALONG THE PATHWAY NAMED “IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE DAUPHINS AND QUEEN MARGOT” and the “Allier Riding” itineraries, the history of this region that was birthplace to the kings of France can be appreciated at all paces. (Allier, Auvergne)

THE MASSIF CENTRAL STUD FARM ROUTE. Starting at Pompadour in Corrèze, it runs from the City of Horses where the Anglo-Arab breed was born in the 19th century, to Aurillac in the Cantal department. (Limousin, Auvergne)

CIRCUM LACUSTRE TREKKING CIRCUIT. A 6-day loop on horseback to discover the southern part of the Creuse department and the edge of the Millevaches plateau. And as a bonus, Aubusson, world tapestry capital. (Creuse, Limousin)

STANDING-STONE SITES, wild limestone plateaux, Tarn gorges and forests make the wide open spaces of the Lozère department a remarkable setting for long-distance horse rides. www.lozere-tourisme.com. (Lozère)

Paragliding

THE PUY DE ROCHE COURBIÈRE, site in the Couze Pavin valley is a wonderful place to go paragliding. (Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne)

THE MÉZENC RANGE, rising between the Auvergne and Ardèche, is another famous “spot”: baptisms or flights for the experienced. When the weather is good an incredible view of the Alps can be had. (Haute-Loire, Auvergne)

THE MONÉDIÈRES AIR SPORTS site and take-off spot on the Suc-au-May (first flights, further instruction). (Creuse, Limousin)

A brochure describing THE HANG-GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING SITES IN THE LOZÈRE department is available at the Mende Tourist Information Office. For more information: www.lozere-tourisme.com.

Up in the trees

EVERYONE DREAMS AT SOME TIME OF BEING LIKE A BIRD! The many acrobatic circuits installed in the exceptional forest landscapes of the Lozère department offer real adventure in total safety ... For more information: www.lozere-tourisme.com .

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