6 walks for children in Carladès !

Head out with all the family to explore tracks and paths, climb and clamber between the rocks, skim stones down at the river … your children will love having fun outside in the countryside. We have selected 6 walks for you to discover, all suitable for children and perfect if you want to discover different sites of the largest volcano in Europe with your family.

Le Sentier du Colporteur – Pailherols

This short walk around the village is also the opportunity to find out all about the legend of the village of Pailherols. Did you know for example that the village was known as the “Little Lourdes of Cantal”? This story is told by the children who live in the village and the surrounding area thanks to a series of illustrated boards made with their drawings that are set out all along the route. The whole family will enjoy the mountain air and have fun running along between the different points.

Practical information:
Estimated 1 hour walk – blue marking – Starting point from in front of the Flocons Verts gite.

« Wind and Fire » discovery trail – Murols

The inhabitants of Murols have created all sorts of unusual and wacky sculptures that children will simply love! In this village, iron work and sculpture take on a whole new dimension by collecting and using parts of old farm machinery to create lots of weird and wonderful characters, picnic areas and even a pirate’s ship! Watch out while you’re there though …   Blaise, the great Dragon is the keeper of the discovery trail, so make sure you don’t disturb him while he’s snoozing!

Practical information:
45 minutes to 1 hour walk (longer if you stop off at the different things to discover along the way !) – route marked out by small iron dragons – Starting point from the Town Hall in the village.

The Faillitoux Waterfall – Thiézac

This is the classic walk to get out and enjoy with your children! The path from just outside the hamlet of Lasmolinerie leads you right to the foot of the waterfall. You’ll be surrounded by impressive boulders, superb summits and basalt rock columns, all there to tell the story of the area’s great volcano. Faillitoux waterfall is a beautiful place to visit all year round. The high water flow in Winter and Spring makes the site even more impressive. In Summer you’ll enjoy cooling off with a paddle in the stream, and then in Autumn, you’ll have fun picking some blackberries that you can bring home for tea!

Practical information:
40 minute walk there and back – Starting point from the car park just above the hamlet of Lasmolinerie.

Les hauts de St Jacques – Saint Jacques des Blats

Your children will love this walk right near some of Cantal’s best-known summits: The Puy Griou, the Plomb du Cantal and the Bec de l’Aigle in the distance. The viewpoint table along this trail will help them get a real idea of where they are and what’s around them. The walk will take you along grassy paths, in and out of woodland and there are some great viewpoints to admire the scenery across the Great Volcano along the way. There’s something new to discover round every corner as the wind whispers in the trees and breath-taking landscape is unveiled.

Practical information:
Estimated 1 ½ hour walk – blue marking – Starting point from the church in St Jacques des Blats

The Gorges of the river Jordanne – St Cirgues de Jordanne

Suspended bridges, a floating pontoon, walkways … what about an an adventure at the foot of a gorge? Along this specially designed trail, come and discover the splendid natural site of the Gorges of the River Jordanne. Your children are going to love working their way along this trail and admiring the impressive cliff faces, huge boulders and hidden waterfalls. There are things to discover all the way and the trail is very easily accessible. Children can also learn more about the wildlife and plants around them thanks to a game they can play along the way. Are you all set to explore?

Practical information:
Estimated 2 hour walk there and back – Starting point between Lascelles and St Cirgues de Jordanne – Open from 1 June to 30 September. Admission fee.

The GR 400 – La Tuillère – Thiézac

This walk will give your children the chance to experience walking on a real GR route. The idea is to walk the distance you choose there and back along the GR 400 route with its famous red and white marking. The starting part is from La Tuillère, where you will leave your car and set off along the track. The terrain is perfect for your little hikers and they’ll be able to safely run along this wide track and safe to their heart’s content! Within a few steps, you’ll have an amazing view over the summits of Cantal. Take a pair of binoculars and you’ll be able to spot other hikers … right over as far as the Elancèze summit on the other side of the valley of the River Cère.

Practical information:
2 to 3 hour walk there and back – red and white marking – Starting point from the Buron de la Tuillère above Thiézac.

Perhaps you know of some other walks that are suitable for all the family? We’d love for you to share your experiences with us here or on social media (#mycarlades #MassifCantalien #myauvergne)!

par Virginie
le 28 March 2018