Alert
Alerts
The peak of Usson
Description
Usson, a perched village, its church, its basalt columns and its peak feed the curiosity of hikers. The panoramas of the Mont Dore and the Puys chain are no less remarkable.
Starting point - From the starting sign, at the bus shelter after the Town Hall, turn right towards the fairground. Go on rue H. Pourrat on the right. At the next intersection turn left, then take the second street on the right, rue des vignerons. Turn right at the first street (at the bottom of the stairs), then turn left at the next street, rue au Chanvre. Continue to the left across the Place de l'Ormeau and then take the Varennes road. Turn right into rue de la Forge. Go around the church on the right by the rue de la Reine Margot, 100 m further on the right, then on the left until the crossroads with the D123.
1 - Cross this crossing towards Usson, go up the first grassy road on the right. At the T-junction, go to the right, take the path along a coppice forest, then go up between fields, facing the peak of Usson, to a first house (view on the Cézallier and the Sancy massif).
2 - Go to the right, cross the hamlet; at the end of the street, go to the left. At the exit, go around a hangar and turn right onto a balcony path. At the first fork, continue to the left. In front of the castle turn right and then walk along a property (Bois Rigaud, 17th century). Turn left three times and reach a road.
3 - Cross the road and pass in front of the transformer and head towards the village of Usson. Facing the cross and the fountain, go to the right. At the perimeter wall, go under the porch, then left (picnic area). Follow the small road passing between the houses. At the sight of the cross, take the path to the right and reach the top of the village of Usson (at the water tower, beautiful basalt organs). Go to the Romanesque church (panorama on the Sancy massif and the Cézallier).
4 - From the church - educational signage in enamelled lava, historical on Queen Margot - (possibility to go back and forth to the top of the site of the Virgin of Usson, 360° view), go down into the village. At the exit of Usson, turn right by the road. At the last house, continue to the left. At the crossroads turn left. In a curve, take to the left a wide stony and then grassy path to a vineyard.
5 - Go to the right on the dirt road along a very old clay wall for about 700 m, then turn right. Cut the road, go in front. At the entrance of the castle (château de la Vernède, mill), continue to the left. Back to the mill, go opposite on a grassy path to the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Additional information
Distinctions
Listed PDIPR
Tips
- Village of Usson: Romanesque church, site of the Usson Virgin (360° view), Château de la Vernède, mill.
- Panoramic views of the Monts Dore, Chaîne des Puys, Sancy massif and Cézallier.
Updated by
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - 03/06/2026
www.puydedome-tourisme.com/
Report a problem
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
From Issoire, take the D996 towards Sauxillanges. At the traffic circle at the entrance to Parentignat, take the D999 towards Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat, then at the next roundabout take the D708 to the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat. Parking lot at Place de la Mairie.
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
2016 - Randos vues d'en haut - 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/ From the start sign at the bus shelter after the Mairie, turn right towards the foirail. Turn right into rue H. Pourrat. At the next intersection, turn left, then take the second street on the right, rue des vignerons. Turn right at the first street (at the foot of the stairs), then the next left, rue au Chanvre. Continue left through Place de l'Ormeau onto Route de Varennes. Turn right into rue de la Forge. Turn right around the church into rue de la Reine Margot, then right after 100 m, then left to the crossroads with the D123.
2/ Cross this junction in the direction of Usson, and take the first grassy track on the right. At the T junction, turn right, take the path alongside a coppice wood, then climb between fields, facing the Usson peak, to the first house (view of the Cézallier and Sancy massif).
3/ Turn right, go through the hamlet; at the end of the road, turn left. At the exit, go around a shed and fork right onto a balcony path. Turn left at the first fork. Opposite the château, turn right and drive alongside a property (Bois Rigaud, 17th century). Turn left three times to reach a road.
4/ Cross the road, pass the transformer and head for the village of Usson. Opposite the cross and fountain, turn right. At the boundary wall, go under the porch, then left (picnic area). Follow the narrow road between the houses. When you see the cross, take the path to the right and climb to the top of Usson village (at the water tower, beautiful basalt organs). Go as far as the Romanesque church (panoramic view of the Sancy massif and Cézallier).
5/ From the church - enamelled lava signposting, history of the Reine Margot - (possibility of a round trip to the summit of the Usson Virgin site, 360° view), descend into the village. On leaving Usson, turn right down the road. At the last house, keep left. At the crossroads, turn left. At a bend in the road, turn left on a wide gravel path, then left on a grassy path to a vineyard.
6/ Go right on the dirt track, skirting a very old clay wall for around 700 m, then turn right. Cross the road and go straight ahead. At the entrance to the château (château de la Vernède, moulin), turn left. With your back to the mill, go straight ahead on a grassy path to the village of Saint-Rémy-de-Chargnat.
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
