Starting in St Flour

[pattyjcsj]

I wanted to start in St Flour in mid-September 2013 and hook up with G65 in Saugues to head towards Le Puy. I'd prefer more trails and less roads. It looks like G4 has some potential- any suggestions?

 

[Kanga]

I don't recall many roads on the GR65.

 

[Kitsambler]

Be careful what you ask for: "trail" in France generally means a poorly maintained, stony, rutted streambed. They followed the Roman notion of building in a straight line, up the hill, which means water runs straight down. No switchbacks or drainage improvements at all. And they do not prohibit ATVs (4-wheeled motorcycles). These are definitely not the forest floor, well engineered and maintained footpaths one sees in Germany or the US national parks. As I understand it, the local municipalities are responsible for maintenance but lack the necessary funds.