Discover Sembadel

For a trip to Sembadel, hiking, cycling and architectural history are distinct themes to explore. Two circular hiking trails start and finish in Sembadel-Bourg; their stated distances and times can help you plan your day around the length you prefer. A longer cycling loop offers another way to enjoy the outdoors. Churches and chapels reveal different architectural periods and artistic details. You can decide whether to focus on the landscape, railway history or sacred architecture.

Hiking by distance and theme

The very easy PR618 La Ronde des Sapins hiking loop is 5.6 km long. The stated duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes. It starts and finishes in Sembadel-Bourg. The trail first passes through the forest, then continues between fields and meadows to Sembadel. Along the way, there are views of Mézenc, Meygal, the Val d’Allier, Margeride, the Sancy Massif and the volcanoes of Velay. Visibility of these landscapes depends on the weather.

At 10.3 km, PR619 Entre bourg et gare is the longer hike; the stated duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. This moderately difficult loop also starts and finishes in Sembadel-Bourg. Compared with the very easy PR618, it is both longer and graded as moderately difficult. Its focus goes beyond hiking: the route connects folk, forestry, religious and railway heritage with rural architecture and expansive landscapes. It passes the station area, the railway line, warehouses and the engine shed. Before setting off, check the route and access in the railway infrastructure area.

For cyclists, Route 15 – La casadéenne is another option. The cycling loop is 46.0 km long, giving it a different scale from the two hiking trails.

Railway history and routes

The route names help distinguish the railway connections around Sembadel. The Ligne du Haut-Forez network includes the 35 km section between Estivareilles and Sembadel. The route from Sembadel to La Chaise-Dieu belongs to the Saint-Germain-des-Fossés–Darsac line. Its final section between Arlanc and Darsac opened on 15 September 1902. This date refers to the Arlanc–Darsac section. If you are planning a tourist train ride, check current operations in advance.

Churches and chapels in Sembadel

The Eglise Saint-Roch is in the heart of the village of Sembadel. The church is dated to the 12th century; however, the present building dates from the 15th or 16th century. Its features include a wide nave with three bays and a penetrating rib vault, four rib-vaulted chapels and a carved altar dating from 1930.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Forêt stands in Sembadel Gare. This 20th-century wooden chapel has rustic furnishings made entirely of wood, symbolising its forest surroundings, and is complemented by stained-glass windows. The chapel was built in 1953–1954. Its statue of Notre-Dame de la Forêt was created in 1955 by Louis Gire of Saugues. The stained-glass windows were made and installed in 1959 by the priest of Le Monteil, Abbé Richaud. In 2026, the chapel is open from 1 May to 1 November. Before your visit, check that these dates match your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Privat-Du-Dragon, Lorlanges, Saint Beauzire, Laussonne, Charraix, Landos, Lantriac, Le Pertuis.

For the wider travel overview: Haute-Loire.