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The Puy of La Rodde
Description
The pleasant valley of La Rodde leads to Gourdon from where you can enjoy a vast panoramic view of the western plateaus, the Limagne plain and the volcanoes. A path between broom and undergrowth leads back to the medieval heights of Montaigut-le-Blanc.
1 - Follow it to the right for 100 m. After the bend, take the road to the right (several cellars and a well) until you reach the entrance of Gourdon (washhouse below). Go through the village, go up on the right until you reach the farm, keep going on the right. On the plateau, at the sign "Puy de la Rodde 747 m", take the right track (view on the Cézallier and the Sancy massif). Continue on the plateau, (view of the Forez and the Limagne plain). At the T-junction, turn right. At the next fork, take the right track (long and delicate descent). Follow a path on the right until the T-junction (opposite Saint Julien).
2 - Turn right then left (view on the castle, the church and the village of Montaigut). Pass in front of the "white monks" (light rocks that evoke monks on the left). At the bridge, go up to the right rue de l'Eglise. Before the gate of the castle enclosure, take the track to the left. Go down to the D996 road. Follow it to the left until you reach the car park. Cross it on the right and take the grating on the left to return to the starting point.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Tips
- Small heritage features: cross, fountain, washhouse, drinking trough.
- Feudal castle.
- Puy de la Rodde (747 m).
- View of the Cézallier, Sancy massif, Forez and Limagne plain.
- View of the church and village of Montaigut.
- The "white monks" (light-colored rocks reminiscent of monks).
Updated by
Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme - 03/06/2026
www.puydedome-tourisme.com/
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Environments
In the country
Mountain view
Presence of livestock and guard dogs
Distinctions
Listed PDIPR
Open period
From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.
Subject to favorable weather.
Location complements
From A75, exit n°6, take D978, direction Besse to Montaigut-le-Blanc. Parking lot on the left of the main street.
Contact
Phone : 04 73 89 15 90
Email : tourisme@capissoire.fr
Website : http://www.issoire-tourisme.com
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/ Go down to the bottom of the parking lot, turn right and walk along the stadium, passing under the tennis court and continuing across the duckboard. Take the small staircase and climb to the right. Turn left onto the D996 road, cross it and turn right up Rue du Grand Chemin to the road. Follow it to the right until you reach rue du Couvanier, which you climb. Ignore the right-hand streets. Enter Place du Taillet (cross, fountain, wash-house, drinking trough). Take Route d'Olloix (on the right, access to the feudal castle). On leaving the village, turn right down the track. Cross the bridge over the stream and follow the road to Gourdon.
2/ Follow this road to the right for 100 m. After the bend, take the right-hand path (several cellars and a well) to the entrance to Gourdon (wash-house below). Go through the village, up to the farmhouse on the right, then right again. On the plateau, at the "Puy de la Rodde 747 m" sign, take the right-hand path (view of the Cézallier and the Sancy massif). Continue along the plateau (view of Forez and the Limagne plain). At the T-junction, turn right. At the next fork, take the right-hand path (long, tricky descent). Follow a track to the right as far as the T-junction, opposite Saint Julien.
3/ Go right, then left (view of the château, church and village of Montaigut). Pass the "white monks" (light-colored rocks reminiscent of monks on the left). At the bridge, turn right into rue de l'Eglise. Before the castle gate, take the left-hand path. Descend to the D996 road. Follow it to the left as far as the parking lot. Cross it on the right and take the duckboard on the 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
