At the crossroads between Loire and Allier, the Col de la Croix du Sud has been a stopping point between Roanne and Vichy, 2 towns at the gates of the Monts de la Madeleine.
The southern Cross

Itinerary to find in the topographical guide:
Topoguide hikes and discoveries in the Roannais

Your itinerary

Map List

1 - Departure

From the car park, take the D41. At the fork, stay on the D41 which goes down. Further on, dive left onto the small road and turn left to cross the river.

2 - Step 1

Go up the grassy path to the left and come out on the D41 at the Croix Garnat. Cut the road and climb up to the next crossroads post. Continue to go straight up towards Les Biefs.

3 - Step 2

At the top, turn right then exit the woods and descend to the road. Turn right and facing the Cascanide, turn left. Exit Les Biefs and join the D25 by a narrow path on your left.

4 - Step 3

Cross and take the track opposite, enter a beech wood then turn sharply to the left. Leave a path on the right to continue on the wide track. Go back down and reach the houses of the Allemagnes.

5 - Step 4

Take the road on the left, pass in front of the small Pont de l'Ours and find the departmental road. Walk along it on the right. Take the 1st road on the right, which leads you to Malgoutte. Leave the tarmac and climb the wide path which runs along a winding beech alley and the damp meadow of Malgoutte.

6 - Step 5

Turn left onto a wide track that takes you to the Bécajat inn. Admire the view and descend along the barriers. Walk along the tree climbing park. Before the road, go up to the right to take a path that overlooks the D9. Join the Southern Cross.

7 - Step 6

Turn left on the D4 towards Ambierle. After 500 m turn right onto the path parallel to the road. Stay focus. Go down through the woods to cross the D4. Take the path opposite, at the first fork follow the path in front of you towards Bois Tercier. Always go straight down for about 2 km.

8 - Step 7

Come out on a wide track and continue to the right. At the crossroads, dive left towards St-Bonnet-des-Quarts. Cross the Teyssonne by taking the bridge, go up the path, then take the road on the left to reach the center of the village.