Our take
A suc of over 1,380 m that you earn in a 1 hour 30 loop, with a steep finish on phonolite. At the summit, the panorama stretches from the Mézenc to the Alps in fine weather.
A phonolite suc (volcanic peak) of the Velay rising above 1,380 m. A waymarked loop of 1 hour 30 from Araules, an orientation table at the summit and the Mézenc opposite.
A volcanic suc (peak) of the Velay rising above 1,380 m altitude, in the commune of Araules. A cone of phonolite, that grey rock that rings when struck and splits into sheets, once used as lauzes (stone slabs) for roofs. The classic climb follows the Bonas path (PR639), a waymarked loop of 5.2 km starting from the Bonas car park in Araules: 188 m of elevation gain, allow 1 hour 30 minutes in all, with a steep finish on narrow paths of phonolite blocks, slippery in wet weather. At the summit, an orientation table engraved on a phonolite lauze helps you read the 360° panorama: the Mézenc, the Meygal, the sucs of the Yssingelais, the Boutières, the Pilat and, in fine weather, the Alps. Open access.
Why we love it
- The panorama that suddenly opens up over the Mézenc and the Meygal at the summit
- The cone-shaped silhouette of the suc, recognisable from afar in the Velay landscape
- Phonolite, that grey rock that rings when struck and splits into sheets, increasingly present towards the summit
- The feeling of being at the end of the world, with an unobstructed 360°
Top tip
The start is at the Bonas car park in Araules, which has a play area for children. The Mézenc is just under half an hour's drive away: the two combine well in a day. Bring a windproof jacket, the summit is open on all sides (360°). At sunset, the light on the sucs is worth the climb.
Before you go
- Hiking shoes compulsory: the slope becomes really steep and the ground stony towards the top
- Aim for a clear day: in fine weather, the view carries as far as the Alps
- The Bonas car park in Araules is the start of the Bonas path (PR639), the waymarked loop that goes via the summit
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
9°/2°
1 mm · 28 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/1°
dry · 12 km/h
Tue 27
17°/8°
dry · 13 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Araules, Saint-Jeures, Le, 43200 Mazet-Saint-Voy, France
43200 Araules
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Hotels, gîtes and B&Bs within 20 km of Araules. Availability and online booking.
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