Mont-Dore walks

A lovely circular 20 km loop, mostly in the sun, so it can be done even in winter. Start and finish in the town centre at the Hôtel de Russie. Note: a 2 km section along the road to Lac de Guery is not very interesting but unavoidable. Moderator update: 25 June 2024

This circuit will take you from Mont-Dore to discover the Puy de Sancy (the highest peak in the Massif Central) and its ridges.

The beginning, with the steps, is a little difficult, but the rest is really calm in the middle of nature, surrounded by magnificent gigantic trees, not forgetting that there are the sounds of the city to remind us that we're close to it. Further on, we see the city below in a bowl, and the sounds of nature have completely taken over, making it relaxing.

Starting from Mont-Dore, at the foot of the majestic Puy de Sancy, this route is the best way to appreciate the spectacular, unspoilt landscapes of the beautiful Sancy volcanic massif. With breathtaking scenery, exceptional flora and remarkable fauna, the Sancy region lies at the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park.

The summit of Capucin, starting from Mont Dore, is one of the first summits accessible from the town, offering a superb panorama and a breath of fresh air. You can also see the Capucin Funicular, the oldest electric funicular in France.

Stage 4 of the 5-day route. This stage takes you from Mont Dore to Super Besse via the summit of Sancy. A very steep climb from Mont Dore, ending with a descent to the resort of Super Besse. See Practical information regarding certain restrictions.

This short round trip hike offers breathtaking views of the Mont-Dore valley and the Puy de Sancy.

This hike will take you to the heights of the Massif du Sancy where, on a clear day, you will have a 360° view of the Chaîne des Puys, the Banne d'Ordanche, the Sancy, the Monts du Cantal, the Mont-Dore resort and Chastreix. This route crosses the Chastreix-Sancy and/or Chaudefour Valley nature reserves. Dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, except on theGR® 30 marked trails. Mountain biking, picking and camping are prohibited. Please stay on the marked trails.

Mountain bike ride in the Sancy massif, under the shadow of the Puy de Dôme.

A beautiful hike that takes you to three stunning waterfalls and magnificent panoramic views of the Sancy massif and, further afield, the Chaîne des Puys.

Discover two beautiful waterfalls just a stone's throw from Mont-Dore. A very pleasant walk in the heart of the forest, perfect for digesting your Sunday lunch. You can admire the two waterfalls of Queureuilh and Rossignolet.

A very pleasant short hike for beginners with breathtaking views of the Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys. Description and route updated by moderator on 13 May 2024.

Discover Mont-Dore and its Val de Courre. After a walk in Les Longes, you will discover the resort of Mont-Dore. Then you will discover the magic of the Val de Courre and its mineral side: you will feel completely transported. And what can we say about the Col de Courre and its extraordinary views? This route passes through nature reserves. See restrictions in Practical Information.

A trip to highest point of the Massif Central.

Departure from Chalet ECIR in Mont Dore resort to reach Relais Voissières in...Voissières. Pass through the ridges along the Chaudefour valley. The climb up Sancy can be difficult, but the rest is very easy.

A 4-day hike staying in stopover lodges, so you can sleep in the warmth every night The route takes you along the GR®4 and GR®30 trails through the Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve and the Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve, where you’ll discover the highest peaks of the Massif Central and magnificent waterfalls, with a short break to relax at Lac Chambon.

You will pass through the ridges, the Puy des Crebasses (alt. 1,762 m), the Roc de Cuzeau (alt. 1,737 m) and the Puy de l'Angle (alt. 1,740 m), with an optional detour via the Grande Cascade, all with views of the resort and the magnificent Chaudefour Valley.

Ascent of the Sancy via the Val de Courre, then descent into the Chaudefour Valley for a return to the resort via the eastern ridges.

A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

Starting from La Bourboule, this hike follows the spring trail along the banks of the Dordogne. Halfway through, you can either retrace your steps or go via Rigolet Bas as described below. This hike allows you to discover thermal springs such as the Félix Spring and the Croizat Spring.

For anyone from Auvergne, the Col de la Croix Morand is inextricably linked to Jean-Louis Murat, who sang about it better than anyone else (and who was also the only one to do so!). Starting from the pass and heading south, you walk along the ridges and cross a few puys in a magnificent setting of wide open spaces and panoramic views of the volcanic Auvergne, witha"deep feeling" of freedom.

You’ll pass close to farms, with lovely countryside scenery, then you’ll go through Chambon-sur-Lac and, of course, its lake, and you’ll take the Chemin des Quayres as you head deep into a thick forest.

This route, which takes in the Chaudefour Valley, the Puy de Sancy, La Bourboule, the lakes of Guéry and Servières, as well as several state-owned forests, offers varied scenery and numerous panoramic views, allowing you to discover a range of local attractions in a single route! FYI: we’ve mapped out the walk to plan our camping trip and will be testing it in mid-May, after which we’ll update the details if necessary and add photos!

A hike for the whole family (but suitable footwear is essential) which, from the summit of Puy de Sancy, will take you along the ridges to the Grande Cascade. A challenging route alternating between ascents and descents, offering stunning 360° views as far as Puy de Dôme, Puy Mary and well beyond, weather permitting.

The Lac de Guéry, of volcanic origin, is the starting point for this hike. At 1244 m, it is the highest lake in Auvergne. Along the way, you'll follow the ridge to the Lac de Servières. ⚠️Please note that the route of the GR® 30 has been modified since 2022, and several sections have been changed and no longer correspond with the IGN maps.

On the agenda: pontoons, Cascade des Mortes waterfall, magnificent pastures, pine forest, surprise from the (4).

The western slope of Puy de Sancy, in the heart of the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve (dogs not allowed). A natural heritage site of great quality where many natural environments are well preserved. The exceptional flora and remarkable fauna thrive on an exceptional geology. The landscapes are magnificent.

A hiking trail in the Auvergne summer pastures, on a summit overlooking the spa resort of La Bourboule.

A pleasant route starting from the Chaudefour Valley, offering the chance to explore the woods of Audiouze and Sarrevielle.

A beautiful round-trip hike to explore the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley, passing by its three waterfalls. The trail is not very difficult and the elevation gain is reasonable. You will find plenty of signs and markings along the way.

The very secretive and beautiful Chaudefour valley is a classified natural site, closed up by the steep contours of a glacial cirque. Peaks, needles, plumbs are as many natural defences for an intact and preserved valley.

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

Discover the most beautiful valley in the Massif du Sancy, and perhaps even the most beautiful in Auvergne! Unlike many of the hikes in this area, this one only climbs to the ridge at Puy de Champgourdeix to enjoy a superb view of the upper valley and the surrounding mountains, but does not continue on to Sancy. Instead, I suggest you explore the valley further, with its dykes, waterfalls, forest and beautiful meadows.

An easy, family-friendly round-trip hike to admire the Cascade de la Biche, some thirty metres high, which flows over a volcanic rock formation formed by the solidification of a lava flow. In a wild and spectacular setting, the water cascades down superb basalt columns. Starting from the Maison de la Réserve, the route climbs gently up the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley before ascending through the woodland towards the waterfall. This secret and magnificent valley is a listed natural site, enclosed by the steep slopes of a glacial cirque. The path is shaded, sometimes muddy, with a few small streams to cross. To reach the foot of the waterfall, the final section becomes steeper and rockier.

An unmissable viewpoint over the surrounding mountains, the Banne d'Ordanche, with its orientation table, allows you to locate yourself in relation to the Monts Dore and the surrounding massifs. Don't forget to take a detour through the summer pastures to the Borne des Quatre Seigneurs and then on to Puy Loup with its renovated circular shelter.

A pleasant and accessible circular route starting from the Refuge de la Banne, allowing you to reach the 1,512 m altitude of the Banne d'Ordanche. The summit offers a remarkable panorama, from the Cantal massif to the plateaus of Corrèze and the Dômes mountains.The return journey is via the western slope, passing by one of the sites of the Horizons summer art exhibition. It is possible to do only the round trip from the refuge to the summit (see variations).