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Between willows and pailhats – The walks of Léa and Tino
Description
The Couze du Valbeleix, descended from the heights of the Cézallier, has carved a magnificent valley. Man carved terraces there using dry stone walls, the "pailhats", to be able to cultivate on these steep slopes.
Starting point - Take the small road on the left, opposite the loom to be fitted. Cross the bridge over the Couze du Valbeleix (view of the pailhats) and turn immediately to the left. Go along the river and join the road. Go left, cross the bridge, continue for 20 m until the junction with a path on the right.
1 - Take it and climb into the woods by a small path to reach a path, (on the right promontory with a view on the peak of Brionnet, the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel chapel and the Courgoul gorges). Go down to the left, walk along the terraces called "pailhats". At the road, turn left to reach the starting point.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Additional information
Distinctions
Listed PDIPR
Tips
- Couze du Valbeleix.
- View of the pailhats (dry-stone terraces).
- Brionnet peak and Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel chapel.
- The Courgoul gorges.
Updated by
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - 02/06/2026
www.puydedome-tourisme.com/
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Environments
Mountain view
Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Open period
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Contact
Phone : 04 73 89 15 90
Email : tourisme@capissoire.fr
Website : http://www.issoire-tourisme.com
Location complements
Direction Champeix, 10 minutes from Issoire. Take the D25 to Saint-Floret, then the D26 to Courgoul. Parking at village entrance.
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
2015 - Randos au fil de l'eau - Discovering the Puy-de-Dôme - Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme
Reception complements
For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1/ Take the small road on the left, opposite the shoeing loom. Cross the bridge over the couze du Valbeleix (view of the pailhats) and turn left immediately. Follow the river to reach the road. Turn left, cross the bridge and continue for 20 m to the junction with a path on the right.
2/ Take this and climb up through the woods on a small path to reach a footpath (on the right, a promontory with a view of the Brionnet peak, the Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel chapel and the Courgoul gorges). Descend to the left, skirting the terraces known as "pailhats". At the road, turn left to return to the starting point.
Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - PDIPR.
Animals
Yes. Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.
Data author
