Espinasse: Hiking Trails, Heritage and Garden Visits

Espinasse combines marked hiking trails with historical themes and a garden visit. When planning a trip, you can focus on walks, historical landmarks or plants. When choosing a hotel stay, it is worth first considering which of these aspects of the area best suits your plans.

Hiking Trails and Views

Marked trails are part of Espinasse’s recreational offering. One specific example is the “Sur les Traces des Faux-Sauniers” loop: it starts at Place de l’Église in Espinasse, is 14 kilometres long and is rated difficult. The route is marked in yellow. From Espinasse, it crosses a wooded hill and then continues through bocage landscapes. Along the way, the trail offers views of Puy de Dôme, the Sancy and the Combrailles Plateau.

Another loop is Puy de Chazelle, in the municipality of Espinasse. The circular hiking trail is about 12.5 kilometres long and takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. From the summit of Puy de Chazelle, there are views across the Combrailles Plateau and of the Chaîne des Puys. The two walks can be compared using different details: the length and difficulty level are specified for “Sur les Traces des Faux-Sauniers”; an approximate duration is also given for Puy de Chazelle. Check the route details before setting out.

The hiking trails in Espinasse also offer views of the Chaîne des Puys. Both the choice of route and the scenery can therefore help shape your plans. Whether you are interested in the wooded hill and bocage landscapes or the view from Puy de Chazelle, the loops mentioned offer different points of interest for your hiking days.

Cultural Landmarks and Local History

The Church of Saint-Martin houses a painted statue carved from white stone. It depicts Saint Margaret of Antioch defeating the dragon and dates from the 15th century. The scene depicted and the statue’s age give a visit to the church a specific art-historical focus.

Château de Pierrebrune was the residence of the lords of Espinasse. It dates from the 13th century and was rebuilt in more recent times. The building therefore reflects two distinct periods: its medieval origins and its later reconstruction. The forests of Pierrebrune are also part of the area’s history: according to the municipal website, last updated on 24 May 2023, they offered smugglers numerous hiding places.

La Villefranche was the main site of the Saint-Gervais salt depot. A clearly dated reminder of the region’s history also featured at the “Ballades remarquables La Montagne” event on 18 May 2025: several hundred hikers made a detour to the information stand at the La Villefranche stele in Espinasse. There, they learned about the resistance in the Combrailles, particularly Camp Gabriel Péri.

A Garden of Medicinal and Edible Plants

“Tisanes en Fleurs” offers visits to a garden of medicinal and edible plants. Around 60 medicinal plants grow there alongside numerous wild edible plants. The approximate number refers to the medicinal plants; the wild edible plants are in addition to these. The garden offers a different focus from the hiking trails and historical landmarks: the plants themselves take centre stage, along with their classification as medicinal or edible.

When comparing hotels for a trip to Espinasse, you can first consider whether hiking, cultural history or a garden visit will shape your stay. Details about the hiking trails can help you factor route length, difficulty and approximate duration into your daily plans. The church, château, stele and garden each offer their own points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Ceilloux, Bongheat, Cunlhat, Beaumont, Orbeil, Murat-Le-Quaire, Landogne, Maringues.

For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.