ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO THE AUVERGNE
Allier & Combrailles 2010
This self-guided walk wanders through the beautiful 'Combrailles', a region which runs though the
departements 'Allier' and 'Puy-de-Dôme'. It is a hilly, green, sometimes rugged area, where forests and fields lined by hedgerows provide a beautiful and varied terrain. Spectacular views of the countryside, including the distant Puy-de-Dôme mountain range, will take your breath away. Traces of the region's past are to be seen, including castle ruins, Roman bridges and churches.
PRICE
£615 per person based on two people sharing. Single supplement: £105. Upgrades possible to
Chateau du Ludaix for 25 euro per person per night.
INCLUDED
7 nights accommodation on bed & breakfast basis, all room with private bathrooms. Route notes and maps. Luggage transportation. Local back-up.
NOT INCLUDED Getting to and from the holiday. Dinners and lunches. Drinks. Insurance. Anything not specified in the itinerary.
DEPARTURE DATES Daily May to November according to accommodation availability
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrive at Marcillat en Combraille. You may park your car here for the week, if coming by car. You will receive your tour description and maps on your arrival. Accommodation at Chambre d’hôte L’Oie. Day 2: Your hiking begins in earnest, traversing from Marcillat to Pionsat, using country and forest paths. You can lunch at a local Mill. The tour takes you past some forgotten countryside, dotted with hedgerows, cattle tracks and manor houses.
14 kms/8.75 miles. Overnight at la Queue de Milan.
Day 3: This day takes you to
Saint Gravies d'Auvergne, enjoying beautiful hilltop views and dense forest paths. You will pass by a French resistance monument from the second world war.
20 kms/12.5 miles. Overnight at Hotel Restaurant Le Relais d’Auvergne. Day 4: This day you will depart from Saint Gervais d'Auvergne, heading for the Sioule river gorge, with its beautiful forest paths and spectacular hilltop views. Your trek ends at nearby Menat, in accommodation nestled in the hills, overlooking the area with panoramic views.
22 kms/13.75 miles. Your two nights accommodation are at Le Couret Ciel D’Or. Day 5: This is your rest day, to go for a swim, play tennis, or just relax. You might want to enjoy a massage, or take a half-day course, as this accommodation has many interesting options (yoga, kung-fu, painting, all subject to availability).
Day 6: Your journey today takes you back in time, crossing a Roman bridge, past medieval castle ruins, across countryside paths to Buxières-sous-Montaigut.
16 kms/10 miles. Overnight at Chateau de la Perche. Day 7: Your last hiking day brings you through the old town of Montague, through quiet country paths, to Marcillat en Combraille, where you can rest or explore the village.
18 kms/11.25 miles. Overnight at Chambre d’hôte L’Oie (optional – overnight at Chateau du Ludaix for a supplement of € 25 per person). Day 8: Departure
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
8.75 miles to 13.75 miles (14 to 22 km) per day, 4h50 to 6h30 walking per day. Easy to moderate.
GROUP SIZE
2 or more people
Unspoilt nature (a paradise for bird lovers), Roman ruins, excellent country cooking.
If you have done this walk before we would be delighted to hear of your personal highlights.
Mail Us
ACCOMMODATION
1st night;
www.le-oie.com2nd night;
www.laqueuedumilan.com/3rd night;
www.relais-auvergne.com/4th and 5th nights;
www.lecouret.eu.com6th night;
www.opnaarfrankrijk.nl/7th night; either the same as the first night
www.le-oie.com) or an
upgrade at (
www.chateauduludaix.com)
It is also possible to start and end the tour at Chateau du Luxaix,
for which a supplementary charge of €50 per person is payable. Chateau du Ludaix can be booked up at an early date so that early reservations are suggested.
GETTING THERE Montlucon is the nearest train station (25 minute drive). Transfers from Montlucon train station are free of charge.
The nearest airports are Limoge (Ryanair), Claremont-Ferrand and St. Etienne (Ryanair).
TRANSFERS FROM THE FOLLOWING PLACES ARE POSSIBLE Limoge €101
Claremont-Ferrand €52
Sainte Etienne €71
Paris Charles de Gaule €245
Paris Orly €224
WHAT TO TAKE:
Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a pullover, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sun glasses, sunblock, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes (for transporting your lunches), first-aid kit , camera and film, torch/flashlight.
WHEN TO GO
May to November
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353