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With its paved streets, its dry stone walls and its rural houses with thick slate roofs; this village, which is made up of 400 inhabitants has kept its authenticity. Chalinargues is just a stone’s throw away from the Pinatelle forest, and has plenty of opportunities to make the most of the surrounding environment.
You will like exploring the woods on foot, on mountain bikes, on horseback or with snow shoes, and sometimes even taking the stags, deer and wild goats by surprise.

  La Maison de la Pinatelle: a nature and environment learning centre. This museum explores the surrounding landscapes in an original way. Tactile activities are proposed using projectors and sounds. Fun activities will help you to discover and understand the Cantal’s different landscapes, and take a new look at nature about you. Open to all public
  





Hiking

To explore the 2500 hectares of the Pinatelle forest, the Topo Guide Le Pays de Murat and La Haute Santoire proposes several hikes and mountain bike trails. Some of these treks leave from Chalinargues.

Some walking ideas

Le sentier des vieilles Pierres
During this walk which takes you to Neussargues, you will be able to admire two churches which date back to 12th century, a 15th century cross which is a historic monument, the remains of a 16th century castle, Merovingian stone tombs, shelters under rocks which used to be occupied by pre historic men about 10,000 years AD, as well as baking ovens, tombs and funeral mounds that date back to the bronze age.
Return walk: 13km, 4 hours, 220m gradient. Possible to shorten en route at Neussargues (9km, 2 ¾ hours)

Le bois de la Pinatelle
Three hours, 10km (yellow route) 140m gradient. This is a family walk, suitable for everyone

Wildlife observation post
Nature lovers will be able to watch stags, deer and wild goats….without being seen, thanks to the wooden observation post which has been built in the heart of the forest. Further information at the Maison de la Pinatelle.Tel 04 71 20 03 52

Guided walks
Jean-Jacques MERLE, mountain guide Tel 04 71 60 08 99

Mountain bike trails

Le lac du Pêcher, 2h, 280 m gradient.
Le bois de la Fontoune, 30 mn, 83 m gradient.
Le Suc de Lagarde, 1h. 8 km (green route). 140 m gradient. An easy route along farm lanes and forest paths.
Le bois de la Peschaud, 1h1/2. 10 km (green route). 80 m gradient. An easy route along farm lanes and forest paths.
La Pinatelle Sud, 3h. 22 km (red route). 330 m gradient
La vallée de Cézerat, 2h. 16 km (blue route). 220 m gradient. Leave from the car park at Mouret or from Le Lac de Pêcher. An easy route along forest paths.
Le bois du Cheylat, 2h 1/2. 15 km (orange route) 250 m gradient. An eight shaped route. A very easy route along the plateau.
Le plateau de Chansau, 45 min. 6 km (green route). 40 m gradient. A very easy route (along farm lanes and open ground)
La Porte du Cézallier, 9h. 30 km. 320 m gradient .A route to be done in several stages, over two days.
La vallée de la Santoire, 12h. 28 km. 760 m gradient. A route to be done in several stages

Mountain bike hire
 Stéphane BELLETIER. Tel 04 71 20 00 24 or 06 70 93 73 99

Horse riding

Discover an outdoor horse riding centre within the Pinatelle forest that is equipped with a TREC course: enough to please any rider.

There are also several orientation trails around the horse riding centre.

Three routes have been created by the Comité Départmentale de tourism Equestre. Detailed explanations for each route are available by phoning 04 71 47 41 23
Le tour du volcan
Les Monts du Cantal Nord
Planèze-Margeride

Snow

Snow shoe trails
Numerous possibilities to discover walks in the snow in the Pinatelle forest

Sled dogs
Enjoy a trek with the sled dogs and learn to steer the pack. Reservation: sled dogs. Telephone: 04 71 20 00 24 / 06 70 93 73 99

Other activities

Orientation trails (Espace Sports d’Orientation)
Fun routes for beginners based on different themes have been set up in the village as well as in the Pinatelle forest, (heritage route, flowers and plants route) The more experienced can test their orientation skills on other routes (green to black routes) Maps for sale: 2€
Further information: Maison de la Pinatelle
Tel 04 71 20 03 52

Quads
Guided trails in tandem open all year
Tel 04 71 20 00 24 / 06 70 93 73 99

Sled dog buggy
Tel 04 71 20 00 24 / 06 70 93 73 99

Angling
Au lac du Pêcher
Fishing licences for sale at the Bar tabac Grocery’s BIGOT
Tel 04 71 20 09 42

Other interesting features

The church 
The oldest parts of the church date back to the 12th century. It is the only church in the Haute Auvergne to have a pentagonal tower which forms part of the bell tower. 

Le Croix de Mons
The cross is made out of granite and it is 4m high (2 and a half metres of which is the cross’s stem) The cross dates back to the 15th century and it is classified as a historical monument.
The cross was buried during the French Revolution to protect it from being damaged. It is one of the oldest crosses in the Pays de Murat.