Our take
Wild Loire in a nutshell, 25 km from Le Puy-en-Velay: basalt columns, sandy beaches, Château de Beaufort on its rocky spur, and a 45-minute path beside the water starting from the village bridge.
The young Loire runs between basalt columns and sandy beaches, at the foot of Château de Beaufort. Easy path from the bridge.
At Goudet, the Loire is nothing like a great, placid river. Still very young, it rushes between basalt columns and sandy beaches, at the foot of Château de Beaufort, perched on its rocky spur.
From the village bridge, an easy path follows the bank: allow 2 km there and back, about 45 minutes' walk. The site is part of the Natura 2000 network, with its alluvial forests, its pine woods and its ponds where the yellow-bellied toad lives.
In summer, the beaches upstream and downstream of the bridge are suitable for swimming, which is allowed but not supervised. If you have the legs for it, the waymarked PR583 loop “La draille des muletiers” starts from the church square: 6.9 km, 2 hours 45 of walking, 325 m of ascent, in the footsteps of Stevenson.
Why we love it
- The basalt columns and sandy beaches beside the still-young Loire
- Château de Beaufort perched on its rocky spur, the Loire at its feet, open to visits by appointment
- A Natura 2000 site, between alluvial forests and pine woods
- The ponds where the yellow-bellied toad lives
Top tip
For the short walk, set off from the bridge along the left bank: the road, then a path, follow the river as far as a rock, and you come back the same way. The best time is from May to July.
Before you go
- A morning between May and July, the best time to walk along the Loire from the bridge.
- In summer, the beaches upstream and downstream of the bridge are suitable for swimming, which is allowed but not supervised.
- The walk from the bridge: 2 km there and back, 45 minutes, easy level.
- For a proper hike, the waymarked PR583 loop starts from the church square: 6.9 km, 2 hours 45, 325 m of ascent.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
14°/6°
dry · 17 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/1°
dry · 7 km/h
Tue 27
21°/7°
dry · 9 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
- Le Vieux Château, 43150 Goudet, France
43150 Goudet - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
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Around Gorges de la Loire à Goudet
2 spots in and around Goudet, enough to build your day.
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