Sports and leisure activities Le Pilat - Monts du Forez

Nestled in the heart of the Monts du Forez, this year-round resort offers total immersion in an exceptional natural environment to be fully appreciated. During the winter season, enjoy a fun-filled time with the little ones with tobogganing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or opt for a dog sled ride for a thrilling experience. In summer, explore the trails on foot or by bike.

Created in 1981, this is a sensational lake. A man-made river with a natural feel, it stretches 700 meters along the Rhône, with a constant flow of 14 m3/s. The white-water area is the perfect place to learn about white-water sports, including white-water swimming, rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Numerous other services are also available, including water excursions, water trekking, multi-activity day packages and even Pilat scooter descents.

Valérie has a state certificate in mountain bike and bicycle tours in the Pilat region. She can accompany you on foot, on a mountain scooter (with green, blue, red or black trails depending on the difficulty and physical ability of each person, so as not to lose the notion of pleasure) or on a mountain bike. Departure from one of the proposed routes in group or solo, from the crêt de la Perdrix or the crêt de l'oeillon. To be discovered to spend a beautiful sporting moment in the heart of nature. Also overnight stays under a heated tepee.

In the heart of the Pilat mountains, Randuro escape for bike rides. In the ligériens trails and the surrounding countryside of the Haute-Loire and the Haute Ardèche, different courses are offered. For an hour, a day, or even a week-end, the entire organization is supported by David, an attendant who also proposes to train novices. Because on his private land of Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue, this child of the country rents motorcycles and technical prodigue and tricks to quickly feel comfortable on a two-wheelers. But he will also know if he thinks you take too much trust and speed! It also raises public awareness of environmental issues in a green environment. Gas!

Chalmazel is the perfect place to enjoy a wide range of fun activities with family and friends. First of all, we're seduced by the beautiful panorama at the top of the slopes: a breathtaking view of Mont-Blanc. In winter, we enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as tobogganing and snowscooting. The summer season invites us to enjoy mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as disc golf (you have to put a Frisbee in a basket).

Who has never, during his childhood, climbed a tree? Hêtre en Forez proposes to take you back to this period when contact with nature was very simple. Supervised by Justin Augay, you will be able to spend half a day, a day or a night perched several meters high and above all try your hand at tree climbing. You will go up in a top rope or in a rope of displacement and different activities will be proposed to you. Moreover, if you wish, you can eat a "fondue à la fourme" in the trees.

From the Chalmazel resort, you can choose from six signposted mountain bike trails. For those who prefer an easier option, opt for the 3.5 km Bois de Chapouilloux trail: accessible to beginners and lasting around 40 minutes, this ride winds gracefully through the fir trees, passing through the Plume and Sagnasson localities. The final descent is on the "wild boar trail", towards the Chalmazel ski resort.

The Sambala and Baobab Association offers two full-nature sports activities to discover the mountains and forests of the Pilat massif. It is a mountain enduro, with a varied profile, from the steep peaks of the peaks of Du to Piedmont rhone. The coaching is very user friendly and attentive. An activity with very variable difficulty, accessible from 12 years during which the techniques of piloting are taught to you and which allows the most cou to flourish… The association also offers tree climbing sessions for 8 years. Vertical walks in the heart of the pilatoises forests to climb, walk over the branches, and reach the peaks, even the possibility of bivouac in the hammock "Haut-Perché". The equipment is provided.

Reserved for those over 10 years old, in the summer, we abandon our ski clothes to hurtle down the slopes of Graix on 3 tracks aboard karts. These non-motorised machines are a little difficult to control but provide their share of sensations. Either on a 550m green run, or on two 450m red runs, side by side for a "dual" descent, just to add a pinch of competition. For little brothers and sisters who are not yet 10 years old, there is an electric mini-kart circuit (minimum age 4). A good dose of adrenaline awaits you!

Looking for an original experience in contact with nature? Located in the heart of the Pilat massif, Le Monde des Pentes is a forest trail. On the program are some thirty games made by local craftsmen that blend harmoniously with the forest landscape. These playful installations test the strength, dexterity and thinking skills of young adventurers. All along the trail, you'll discover the world of the forest: the life that teems in the soil, the tree cycle and the wild animals of Pilat.

Signposted itinerary on the banks of the river Argental, which looks like a visit to pre-industrial archaeology with the testimony left by the th century sawmill remains and mills.

A Monts du Pilat Orienteering area has been set up on the Grands Bois site in the middle of nature or near inhabited rural areas. There are 4 courses of different levels and 70 permanent markers placed in evidence or well hidden. It is aimed at both individuals, thanks to a kit of 3 maps, and groups with a state-certified guide. You can do these routes on mountain bikes and snowshoes or even on horseback or skis.

When it snows on the Pilat, a play area is set up for children from 3 years old to learn how to ski. Please note that there is no equipment rental on site. You will have to come with your nordic or alpine skis. On the way down, there are obstacles to overcome, tunnels, bumps, to learn the basics of skiing. Important point: the ascent doesn't require the slightest effort thanks to the automatic "snow wire" system that allows you to admire the landscape in peace or to bombard your neighbor with snowballs.

We slide the slope on specific sleds, and we go back without getting tired thanks to snow. A discovery space to learn to ski. Three courses suitable for small and large. Pay access. Snow conditions and opening (Tel) 04 77 20 43 43.

This snowshoe hiking is anything but routine because it happens in the night! With a frontal lamp, you can travel 7 km with 150 m of difference in the Massif massif. Unique atmosphere!

Rates: 10 €.

Distance: 7 km.

Departure: Visit Bessat town Hall between 17 am and 19 PM.

Difficulty: average.

Need some oxygen after this long period of shooting in your apartment? Go to the Domaine Le Bessat, in a preserved nature, to breathe a pure and invigorating air. At the Maison du Parc in Pélussin or at the Syndicat d'Initiative in Le Bessat, you will find brochures of communal paths, many of which are around Le Bessat. Also, the mountain bike topo-guide and its dozens of circuits of all levels or a description of about twenty loops on foot. Walks to be done as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear. And for the more athletic, there is the possibility of a trail.

In a magnificent setting, the Domaine Nordique du Bessat - Les Grands Bois offers 35 km of marked and secured trails for cross-country skiers from all over the region who benefit from a short but regular snow cover. In alternative (10 km) and in skating, an area that welcomes all skiers whatever their level. This area is also open to snowshoeing enthusiasts. Secure sledging area located at the Croix de Chaubouret.

Since 2001, this company has been offering an original way to discover the Parc du Pilat: by organizing all-terrain scooter tours. Called the "Sherpa", this scooter is more stable than a mountain bike, and allows you to take more winding routes while being well protected. From Maclas, a shuttle bus will take you to the crêt de l'Oeillon. A 1,000-metre, 2.5-hour descent awaits you, all supervised by professionals. Zig Zag 3T also offers rental of electrically-assisted mountain bikes.

In view of the success of the vias ferratas of Planfoy, the lovers of rock faces have created this vertical activity center in order to propose in the same place a wide range of activities for all publics. Thus, the vertical offer goes from the most assisted for the beginners to the free practice on more or less difficult walls. Two vias ferratas for children and adults, as well as more than 180 climbing routes (from 3a to 8a+). Do not hesitate to contact the guides and climbing instructors of the area to discover this vertical pole in complete safety.

The Centre Nautique Roger Couderc is one of the sports facilities managed by the town of Saint-Chamond. This municipal swimming pool has several pools, for swimmers who want to lap after lap, as well as those who prefer to splash around. There's also a slide. Competitive swimming clubs come to train, but there are also activities for baby swimmers.