Our take
A real escape into nature, reachable by bus from Clermont: water, rocks, the Samson dolmen and a small waterfall, on a waymarked 8 km loop.
Gorges cut into the granite by the Artière, beneath pines and chestnut trees.
On the south-western doorstep of Clermont-Ferrand, the Artière (the Saint-Genès stream) has cut into a granite plateau to carve these gorges. You walk beneath pines and chestnut trees, with the water running down between the rocks.
A waymarked path lets you make a loop. The start is on avenue de la Libération, in Ceyrat. Along the way, you cross the stream at a ford to climb up to the Samson dolmen, and you pass a small waterfall. It climbs up to the Berzet plateau, 270 m of ascent, and the way back goes down a wide, steep track, then narrow steps.
The site is recognised as a ZNIEFF (natural area of ecological, faunal and floral interest). On its damp cliffs live a great variety of mosses and lichens and a protected fern, the Forez spleenwort. You will also find the martagon lily and two butterflies on the regional red list, the poplar admiral and the chequered blue. After rain the rocks are slippery, so wear sturdy shoes.
Why we love it
- The Artière slipping between the granite rocks, and its small waterfall
- The Samson dolmen, reached by crossing the stream at a ford
- The pines and chestnut trees above the stream
- The damp cliffs, their mosses, their lichens and a protected fern, the Forez spleenwort
Top tip
Bus line E2, Ceyrat Robinson stop: you leave the car behind and set off from Ceyrat.
Before you go
- On a hot day: at the bottom of the gorge, the damp cliffs keep a cold microclimate.
- The Artière gorges loop is about 8 km with 270 m of ascent: allow 2 hours 30 of walking.
- Start on avenue de la Libération, in Ceyrat. To leave the car behind, there is bus line E2, Ceyrat Robinson stop.
- The route crosses the stream at a ford and comes back down by narrow steps: wear shoes with a good tread.
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
15°/6°
1 mm · 41 km/h
Tomorrow
15°/4°
dry · 10 km/h
Tue 27
23°/12°
dry · 16 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
- 26 Av. de la Libération, 63122 Ceyrat, France
63122 Ceyrat - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Around Gorges de Ceyrat
Enough to build your day around this address.
Where to eat close by
€€Le 9
4.8Royat · 4.5 km away
La Flèche d'Argent
4.7Royat · 4.7 km away
Le Fotomat
4.6Clermont-Ferrand · 5.2 km away
Where to stay nearby
Clos Beaumont
4.9Beaumont · 3.5 km away
€€€La Belle Meunière
4.5Royat · 4.6 km away
€€€€Hôtel Princesse Flore
4.3Royat · 4.7 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footHikes around Gorges de Ceyrat
On footOn foot
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