The Puy de Montoncel rises to 1287 meters above sea level. It is located on the border of the French departments of Loire, Puy-de-Dôme and Allier. It is also the highest point of the Roannais. It is also the highest peak of the Bois Noir forest massif, among the oldest forest massifs in Europe. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing replace summer activities. Summer is ideal for hiking and horseback riding as well as mountain biking.
Located in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Puy de Montoncel is at the southern end of the mounts of the Madeleine. Five municipalities and three departments share its summit: the municipality of Saint-Priest-la-Prugne in the Loire department, Lavoine (Allier), Arconsat, Celles-sur-Durolle and Palladuc (Puy-de-Dôme).
This summit offers a breathtaking panoramic view. An impregnable point of view is revealed before our eyes… The chain of volcanic hills, the Madeleine mountains and the Forez plain.
The key date
- En 1995, the summit in mountain moors is classified in the European Natura 2000 Bois Noirs Network over an area of 11,10 hectares
At the top, is among the last mountain moors of the massif. Callune, blueberries and gentians rub shoulders giving different colors to each season. On the way to the summit, you cross the Bois Noirs, a vast massif of more than 10 hectares, which is one of the oldest forest massifs in Europe. Some sectors of natural forest, still in beech-fir forests, are ancient forests (tree cover maintained for at least 000 years) which risk disappearing due to changes in silvicultural management and their conversion to Douglas fir plantations.
Access to the summit allows you to cross some granite chaos including stones with legends or druidic stones. Such as "the dancing stone".
The key figure
- The highest point is 1287 meters above sea level,
All roads lead to the Puy de Montoncel
Various hiking trails and mountain bike trails cross this natural space. A topoguide is being created on the Pays d'Urfé side. The map and the guide of the Bois Noirs massif, which offers 75 FFC-labelled circuits, are available in our offices and in line.
- The tour of the Canton of Pays d'Urfé,
- Route 31 from Saint-Priest-la-Prugne of the Pays d'Urfé topo,
- 3 mountain biking circuits: n°6 departing from Saint-Priest-la-Prugne, n°34 departing from Lavoine, and n°24 departing from Arconsat,
- A trail circuit, number 25 from Lavoine.
DID YOU KNOW ?
- The origin of its name? Some speak of “Ascend to heaven” others that it comes from the Latin “monachus tonsura”, the tonsure of the monks because the top had a largely bare top.
- The classification in interdepartmental Sensitive Natural Area "Loire, Allier, Puy-de-Dôme" is in project.
The local flora and fauna
- Dry mountain heaths with heather, blueberries and yellow gentians (Gentian lutea),
- Ancient forests in fir beech forests (including acidophilous Atlantic beech forests with holly, a habitat to be preserved as a priority in Europe because it is threatened with extinction),
- A forest massif which shelters the very rare small mountain owls which hunt on the surrounding moors and peat bogs: tengmalm owl (Aegolius funeralus) and European owl (Glaucidium passerinum) protected in Europe and France. They accompany the Pic Noir whose lodges are taken over by the tengmalm owl.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Puy-de-Montoncel
Charm Pass
42830
Saint-Priest-la-Prugne
Marion's opinion
Two walks have already taken me to the top. The breathtaking view of the Puys chain is worth it, the climb is tough and good shoes are necessary to walk the path and cross the natural forest with soft green mossy undergrowth and the rivers weaving through it. At the top, you have an appointment with calm and silence, with unspoiled nature without any development. Nature in its raw state!
