Auvergne walks

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

A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

An easy hike up Puy Pariou and down into its crater. A very pleasant forest at the start and end of the route, with beautiful views of Puy de Dôme on the way back. (3) It is forbidden to descend into the volcano or go all the way round it.

A wander among the underbrush along the Couze Pavin, from bank to bank, flowing in cascades.

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

A Grand Tour of the beautiful and mysterious Lac Pavin, passing by the Puy de Montchal and the Creux de Soucy chasm.

The highest peak in Europe's largest volcanic complex, the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m) offers unobstructed views of the Monts-Dore (Puy-de-Sancy) to the north and the Cézallier and Aubrac plateaus to the south.

An interesting hike due to its diversity: peat bogs, volcanic lakes, chasms and, depending on the season, a few orchids between (6) and (7).

A magnificent hike, without any great difficulty, which will take you through the Parc des Volcans north of the Puy de Dôme. You will discover the Sarcoui and its cave, the Puy des Goules, the Puy de Côme, the Cliersou and its caves, the Petit and Grand Knolls, and the grandiose Puy Pariou. At the top of each puy, you can enjoy 360° views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme, the Limagne plain and Clermont-Ferrand.

The first part of the route follows an old railway line that has been converted into a very wide carriageway. It continues with a tour of the small heritage sites (old bread oven and wash house) in the hamlet of Chastel. Finally, at the end of the route, when the trees open up, there is a view over the unusual Corbœuf ravine.

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.

A trip to highest point of the Massif Central.

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.

Climb Mont Mézenc from the Croix de Peccata - car park.

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.

Nature walk between meadows, forest, streams and ancient mills, a site rich in history. Pass through amazing places that are linked to druidic rituals and gatherings.

Just above Clermont-Ferrand, the inescapable climb to Puy-de-Dôme through the col de Ceyssat is a short but intense hike with an astonishing view over Clermont-Ferrand, the chaîne des Puys, paragliders and Millevaches. Caution, it's a very popular walk so be sure to do it during week days for a bit of peace and quiet.

A circuit that forms a figure of 8 around Lac Chambon, with panoramic views of the lake and the Sancy range, the Valley of Chaudefour and a section through Murol via its castle.

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

Boudes, its vineyards and the Vallée des Saints, known as the Colorado of Lembron.

A beautiful three-day hike, sleeping in a bivouac, with interesting variations in altitude.

A beautiful, not too difficult walk with magnificent scenery. Ideal for discovering the landscapes of the Cantal.

Discover Mont Mézenc and its two peaks and take a detour to admire the Cirque des Boutières.

Starting from the Le Clos hotel in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, this loop takes you around Lac Pavin using the discovery trail and theGR®30.

Passing through the Colbert reserve, the route offers views of seven of the forty or so listed oak trees in Tronçais. You can see naturally shaped oaks, boundary trees such as the Saint-Louis and the Sentinelle, and forest trees with long, straight trunks, of which the Stebbing is an example.

The Sioule River shapes the landscape of the Combrailles. Between valleys, wild gorges, forest paths and volcanic peaks offering magnificent views... here, it is the Queuille meander that takes our breath away with its strange tranquillity and perfect curves.

An easy family hike with beautiful views of the Monts Dore (Sancy Massif), the Cantal and, of course, Lake Chauvet.

A superb walk between the old volcanoes of the Comté region to the crystalline base cut by the Saint-Yvoine horst, with exceptional panoramic views.

A classic in the Chaîne des Puys to admire Puy de Dôme and Le Puy de Pariou, amongst others.

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.

This somewhat rugged circuit follows a narrow path along the Gorges du Bès and offers wonderful landscapes with the ruins of Arzenc d'Apcher Castle on the opposite bank (Lozère). The path then climbs slightly onto the plateau and the view widens beyond the gorges. Throughout the valley, a climbing site offers numerous equipped routes. Passing through the villages of Morsanges and Chazals, you can admire old bread ovens.

A long walk along the ridges allows you to enjoy the view of the Puy du Cantal, the Puy de Sancy and the Plomb du Cantal. Pass through the Brèche de Roland and return to the Cirque d'Eylac with the marmots.

Almost exclusively on wide paths, this hike around the pretty hamlet of La Godivelle crosses the characteristic landscapes of the Cézallier: pastures as far as the eye can see, the gentle lines of the "Mountains", peatlands, lakes and a few woods. On the way back, you will pass through the Sagnes de la Godivelle Nature Reserve.

Climb to the summit of the famous Puy Mary from the south-east, via a very pleasant trail, leaving your car quite far away to avoid the crowds of visitors who gather at the Pas de Peyrol. Some hikers may find this hike a little difficult, see reviews.

Walk in the footsteps of Jean de la Nuit! An extraordinary character once lived in this valley, and his legend still lives on in people's memories. Join him on a journey to discover the valley's former activities, heritage, fauna and flora, which you can enjoy during the walk.

This hike will allow you to discover the Cascade de la Pisserote waterfall on the Barbenan.

The view is still as pleasant as ever at the top of this legendary climb. It is a longer but more enjoyable and varied climb than the Sentier des Muletiers.

Between gorges and plateaus, this circuit offers varied landscapes and paths with superb views of the Alleuze site.

A very beautiful and varied hike, between 1,300 and 1,500 metres, which can be done in half a day in the mid-mountains (pastures, forests, peaks). Superb 360° panorama of the Sancy mountains and the Dômes chain. Good paths. Bring a map or GPS, essential for the return journey through the forest.

This hike, in the heart of the Meygal forest, is ideal in the heat of summer. It offers beautiful views, especially from the summit of Testavoyre, where you can look out over the Meygal mountains.

Short circuit to visit the Beaume waterfall. Wear good shoes for the descent to the waterfall. Avoid pushchairs. In summer, you can swim.

This excursion takes you from Arlempdes, listed as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France since 1999, to Saint-Arcons-de-Barges... for a particularly pleasant stroll.

A day's walk in magnificent surroundings, using theGR® trails in the area. We are within sight of Puy Chavaroche and Puy Mary.

A pleasant loop around the pretty village of Montgreleix, ending at the Orthodox Monastery of the Mother of God Znaménié (open to visitors at certain times) at La Traverse. No technical difficulties and a wide variety of landscapes (pastures typical of the Cézallier region and burons, valleys and small woods, streams and waterfalls, etc.). You may even return with a Saint-Nectaire cheese in your bag...

The circuit offers magnificent panoramic views of twelve valleys from the summit. Puy Mary, a veritable pyramid when seen from the sky, rises to 1,783 metres. In the heart of the Cantalien Massif, it is surrounded by exceptional landscapes formed by volcanic activity and glacial erosion, representing the largest volcano in Europe (2,700 km²).

This route invites you to discover the pretty village of Albepierre-Bredons and explore the Pays de Murat national forest, which is home to many remarkable trees. In the cool woods, the Prés Long, Vergnes and Prapsou waterfalls are the main attractions of this shaded route. Route not accessible from December to April due to snow.

As you follow this route, discover Le Puy-en-Velay (the starting point of the Way of St James) and its monuments: the cathedral, Rocher Corneille and the Statue of Notre-Dame de France, the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe Chapel, the cloister, the town hall, the theatre, the Crozatier Museum and the Henri-Vinay Garden.

A Cluniac site thanks to its priory and church, Grazac has been famous for some time as one of the two access points to the largest Himalayan footbridge in France. This route will take you there via a short walk through this wooded valley.

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.