Hikes

Vallée des Saints loop

4.5(961 Google reviews)Boudes, Puy-de-DômeFree

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Our take

Fairy chimneys that bring to mind a procession of saints in cassocks, set in the red earth of the Lembron: an erosion landscape to walk through, in around two hours.

The editors · Teddy L.How we choose our places
  • Allow 2 h
  • Free
  • Dogs welcome
  • Not wheelchair accessible

A 5.8 km loop at Boudes, among the red earth of the Lembron and 23 fairy chimneys.

The start is at the Vallée des Saints reception hall, at the entrance to Boudes as you arrive from Saint-Germain-Lembron. The loop is 5.8 km, allow about 2 hours, blue waymarking.

You first skirt the hillside, then enter a dry forest where fairy chimneys, cirques and cliffs in warm colours rise up. These erosion shapes make you think of a procession of saints in cassocks. The site has 23 fairy chimneys, some of them 10 metres high.

Along the way, the Bard spring bubbles up, blood red: Roman coins have been found there. A few steep sections with steps, so bring good shoes.

Why we love it

  • The 23 fairy chimneys, up to 10 m high
  • The Mottes cliff and its warm colours when the sun hits it
  • The Bard spring, blood red, where Roman coins have been found

Before you go

  • Open access, start at the reception hall at the entrance to Boudes
  • Allow about 2 hours for the 5.8 km, blue waymarking
  • Sun protection, water and hiking shoes: a few steep sections with steps
  • Keep dogs on a lead, and stay on the waymarked path
  • Route not recommended in strong wind

Practical info

Address
63340 Boudes
63340 Boudes

Opening hours

Accès libre

Route

What visitors say

4.5/ 5

Google rating

Average of 961 reviews on Google Maps.

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Your logbook

Around Vallée des Saints loop

2 spots in and around Boudes, enough to build your day.

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Worth seeing nearby

Hikes nearby

Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.

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  • 12.2 km
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Hikes around Vallée des Saints loop

Mountain biking
Moderate

Around Blesle

Start: Blesle

  • 12.2 km
  • +266 m
  • 1 h 30 min

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