Viscomtat: Scenic circular walks

The La Virée des Rocs (Roc du Guet) circular route starts and ends in Viscomtat. It is rated difficult and leads to a viewpoint at Roc du Guet, from which you can see the Bois Noirs and the Chaîne des Puys. Starting and finishing in the same place makes the circular nature of the route especially clear; the view also identifies a specific destination along the hike. If you are considering this walk, you can treat the difficulty and the viewpoint as separate selection criteria. Route conditions may vary; check them before setting out.

The GR® 89 and Montaigne’s journey

The GR® 89 – Chemin de Montaigne has a historical connection: it follows the route taken by Michel de Montaigne in 1581 and links Lyon with Bordeaux. In the Puy-de-Dôme département, the trail covers 165 kilometres. Its distinctive waymarking incorporates Montaigne’s texts and quotations about his journey and the regions he passed through. This adds a narrative dimension to the route: the signs bring the connection to Montaigne’s journey and the landscapes he crossed to life along the way. For hikers interested in historical travel routes, the route and interpretive features differ: the Viscomtat circular route focuses on difficulty and views, while the GR® 89 focuses on Montaigne’s journey and the link between Lyon and Bordeaux.

The activity with the donkeys

With “Promenade avec les ânes Marius et Jasmal,” preparing the donkey is part of the experience: before setting off, visitors groom the animal, clean its hooves and put on its pack saddle. They are given a map showing the route. They complete the half-day or full-day outing independently and at their own pace. The activity therefore includes both preparation before setting off and an independent outing. The two duration options provide a practical framework for planning the day, while the map shows the route. As arrangements may change, check the current conditions before making plans.

Comparing landscapes and types of hike

The donkey activity’s trails pass through valleys, forests and meadows between the Bois Noirs and the Forez; the Chaîne des Puys can be seen in the distance along the way. On La Virée des Rocs, this landscape name is part of the view from the viewpoint at Roc du Guet, while on the donkey activity it appears as a distant view along the way. The different perspectives connect the descriptions without making the routes out to be the same.

The hiking options offer different highlights: for La Virée des Rocs, the circular route, difficulty rating and viewpoint help you assess it; for the donkey activity, the preparation, map and half-day or full-day format matter; and the GR® 89 focuses on Montaigne and the historic route. This lets you choose between a difficult circular route, an independent outing with donkeys, and a hike with a historical connection.

Discover more destinations: La Tour-D'auvergne, Chapdes-Beaufort, Saint-Just, Laqueuille, Le Mont-Dore, La Sauvetat, Espinasse, La Godivelle.

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