Clavières: Trails, Panoramas and History

In Clavières, high-altitude views, trails and memorial sites take centre stage. The summit of Mont-Mouchet in Clavières is at 1,497 m. There is an orientation table with a 360-degree panorama stretching from the Monts du Cantal to the Monts du Velay. At Mont-Mouchet, free, self-guided individual visits are possible year-round and at any time in favourable weather conditions.

Hiking trails and views

The Puech Farrat route climbs from Clavières to Puech Farrat and offers views of the Cantal volcanic region and the plateau-like heights of Aubrac. It also passes a stele honouring the resistance fighters. The route thus combines scenic landscapes with a memorial site along the way.

“La Croix de la Paille” is a free, signposted 6 km circular walk rated moderate. It follows forest paths and logging roads, reaches the summit of the Margeride and runs partly through the forest and along its edges. Six information boards are placed along the route. The 1,370 m-high Rocher Chantal can be included as an optional detour. From there, there are views of Aubrac and the Monts du Cantal; allow an extra hour for the detour.

The “Chemin des écoliers” also offers several named viewpoints: the volcanic massif of the Monts du Cantal, Saint-Flour with its cathedral, and the Aubrac Plateau. The route also passes the “Crouzette”, a cross of which only the granite base remains. The viewpoints and this small historical detail each give the route its own character.

Comparing cycling routes

When cycling, it is worth distinguishing between two named routes. The “Entre Arcomie et Margeride” cycling route is an unmarked 106.5 km circuit with 1,886 m of elevation gain. It is rated black, meaning very difficult. Its length, elevation gain and rating make clear that this is a challenging tour.

The “Le Mont Mouchet et la Bête” mountain biking loop starts at the car park on the edge of Clavières on the D4 and leads to the Mémorial de la Résistance. There, visitors can see the memorial and visit the museum. Check the local access conditions for visits before setting out.

Memorial sites and local history

In the area around Clavières, twelve steles, four monuments and an ossuary commemorate the tragic events of June 1944. In the area around Clavières, 64 Maquis fighters were killed. A stele honouring the resistance fighters also stands along the Puech Farrat route; it is a tangible memorial site directly on the route described.

In the hamlet of Masset stands an old communal bread oven, where each family used to bake bread once a month. In the first half of the 20th century, Clavières had six schools. One of them was a Catholic institution in the village, commonly known as the “Couvent”. These historical details complement the impressions of the landscape and routes with insights into former places of everyday life and learning.

Discover more destinations: Drugeac, Fontanges, Arches, Giou-De-Mamou, Lapeyrugue, Neuvéglise, Bassignac, Paulhenc

For the broader travel overview: Cantal.