Four lodges with the option of meals each evening: in Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, leat (municipality of Saint-Bonnet-des-Quarts), La Loge des Gardes (hotel restaurant in the municipality of Laprugne), and Le Point du Jour (municipality of Cherier).
Roannaise coast and mountains
A 4-day hiking tour from lodge to lodge in the Monts de la Madeleine (low mountain range) west of the town of Roanne. Immerse yourself in nature, often still wild, by taking as many small paths as possible.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 50.15 mi -
Average duration: 4 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 7,923 ft -
Descent: - 7,907 ft -
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Highest point: 3,668 ft -
Lowest point: 1,214 ft
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Country:
France
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Area: Massif central -
City:
Cherier (42430) -
Start/End: N 45.978568° / E 3.876644° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Stages of the route
This route needs several days, find the details below:
Notes
Worth a visit
Romanesque church of Vieux Cherier, Gorge du Désert in Saint-Alban-les-Eaux, Priory and abbey church of Ambierle, beautiful beech tree after "Fayot", Allée des Géants and Pierre Châtel in Saint-Nicolas-des-leat, tourist resort of La Loge des Gardes... and countless beautiful viewpoints.
Reviews and comments
5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
5 / 5
PARDON
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jan 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A varied route, combining nature and culture,
we did it in May when the countryside was in full bloom
It’s quite a workout, but not too much when we’re travelling with our gear
Accommodation: Point du Jour and Auberge Precontent were very welcoming; the St Haon parish-specific lodge was excellent, run by a professional
just a bit pricey,
there were nine of us and we all loved it
Machine-translated
Other walks in the area
From Point du Jour to Saint-Haon-le-Châtel
Association / Club / Walk leader
14.49 mi
+1,686 ft
-3,130 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
Departure from a high point in the Monts de la Madeleine, in Cherier, at a place called Le Point du Jour (870 m, 14-bed stopover lodge with meals) to descend to the Côte Roannaise, cross its vine-covered hillsides and arrive at the medieval village of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (14-bed stopover lodge with meals). This route gives priority to small paths with no motor vehicle traffic and beautiful views of the Roanne plain.
Circular loop starting from Les Moulins Chérier
Visorando Member 
11.13 mi
+1,696 ft
-1,680 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Cherier (Loire)
A beautiful walk alternating between open views and paths along the Isable river.
Les Monts de la Madeleine (Villemontais)
Visorando Member 
5.62 mi
+1,145 ft
-1,148 ft
3h 35
Easy
Departure from Villemontais (Loire)
Walk in the Monts de la Madeleine between Villemontais and Chérier.
15/05/2024: Route modified to avoid passing through private property at Ripouroux.
The Gorge du Désert and the Châtelus from Saint-Alban-les-Eaux
Visorando Member 
4.32 mi
+1,181 ft
-1,161 ft
3h 00
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Alban-les-Eaux (Loire)
Starting from the village of Saint-Alban-les-Eaux, known for its sparkling mineral springs, this route passes via La Madone and the Montouse Dam to reach the Gorges du Désert and the waterfall. Views from Le Châtelus and the viewpoint on the way back.
From the Loge des Gardes to Point du Jour
Association / Club / Walk leader
11.96 mi
+1,368 ft
-2,044 ft
6h 40
Moderate
Departure from Laprugne (Allier)
Departure from the Loge des Gardes sports centre. Start the day in the beautiful beech undergrowth of the Assise State Forest, above 1,000 metres altitude, before descending to the more open plateaus of La Tuilière and Cherier, with beautiful views. End at the Refuge du Point du Jour lodge (overnight stay and meals made with farm produce) (altitude 870 metres).
Walk in Saint-Haon-Châtel via Saint-Haon-le-Vieux
Visorando Member 
3.83 mi
+636 ft
-607 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (Loire)
The walk takes you through Saint-Haon-le-Vieux along the Chemin Rouge, then on to the site of Saint-Haon-le-Châtel, a veritable open-air museum where you can relive ten centuries of civilisation with its remains of high walls, 17 towers and 4 gates. These fortifications were built in the mid-14th century to protect the town from bands of looters. A magnificent village where every street is worth exploring.
From Saint-Haòn-le-Châtel to leat
Association / Club / Walk leader 10.63 mi
+2,461 ft
-1,348 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Haon-le-Châtel (Loire)
Morning: crossing the northern part of the Roanne coast vineyards, with little elevation gain, and two beautiful historic villages: Saint-Haon-le-Châtel and Ambierle, with a rich heritage open to visitors. The afternoon is more challenging with the climb to leat (altitude 765 m) through meadows and forest. Most of the route is on dirt tracks with no traffic.
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