Aydat walks

Circular route around the heights of Lake Aydat, in the middle of pastures, to enjoy beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy.

A circular trail to discover different aspects (leisure activities, wild spots, developed marshes) of Lake Aydat, with a passage along its heights for beautiful views of the Chaîne de Puys and the Sancy massif, and passing by a menhir, the Pierre Longue. On the way back, the route takes you to the beautiful 13th-century church of Aydat.

Starting from the village of Fontclairant, an 8-shaped route allows you to bypass Puy Charmont before circling and climbing Puy de Vichatel, whose summit offers a beautiful panorama.The downside of this hike is its proximity to the D2089 road between the two peaks.

Hike on the Plateau des Dômes to discover the natural site of the Narse d'Espinasse. This narse is a peat bog which, together with the Puy de l'Enfer that borders it, forms an exceptional volcanic complex of geological and ecological interest, as it is home to a unique flora.

Go back 8,600 years, to the day when two young volcanoes were born, the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas. Their two lava flows joined together as they flowed eastwards and met the River Veyre. After a battle that was lost before it even began, the bubbling river was diverted eastwards, creating two lakes, Aydat and Cassière.

A charming walk around the lake with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding hills and modern buildings that blend in perfectly with the setting.

An easy and enjoyable hike on this little-visited volcano. Despite the path being in the woods, there are several viewpoints offering views of both the other volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy massif. A good option for hot days.

This is an easy hike that allows you to explore the Puy de Vichatel, whose crater is the second deepest in the Chaîne des Puys. You are allowed to go down inside! From the summit, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the other puys further south, Lake Aydat and the Sancy massif.

An easy hike with one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the region, overlooking both the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy Massif. Between May and October, sheep graze on these puys, much to the delight of young and old alike!

Walk dedicated to exploring the small Puy de Vichatel: its slopes covered with mixed forest, its crater, and its summit reached by a beautiful trail offering a stunning panorama.The only downside to this hike is its proximity to the D2089 at the start and end of the route.

The hike takes place mainly in the forest that covers the Cheires Hautes, an ancient solidified lava flow from the Puy de la Vache and Puy de Lassolas, passing by Lac de la Cassière, an ideal place for a break, just over halfway along the route.

Between these two small puys in the south of the Chaîne des Dômes, two streams flow, the Narse and the Labadeau, which converge shortly afterwards to form the Veyre. Shortly before this confluence, the Narse feeds a small marsh of volcanic origin, the Narse d'Espinasse.

Discover the Monne, a beautiful Auvergne river, and its valley nestled in high rocky plateaus offering superb views of the surrounding mountains.

Walk through the gorse heathland, dotted with rocky outcrops, where cows and sheep sometimes graze, making up the landscape on the heights of Aydat. Lovely views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Monts Dore. A refreshing stretch along the banks of the Monne.

A beautiful hike between the Chaîne des Puys and the Chaîne du Sancy. Gentle slopes and lovely views of both mountain ranges.

A circular route around these two lakes formed by lava flows from the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas. You will walk along the shores of the lakes but also explore the heights, where you will have beautiful views of the surrounding puys.

This large circular route around the Maison du Parc des Volcans will take you past fourteen puys, some small and discreet, others more imposing and some very well known and popular. Set off to discover the puys of Vichatel, Charmont, La Toupe, Boursoux, La Combegrasse, La Rodde, L'Enfer, Montchal, Montgy, Montjuger, Pourcharet, Montreillet, Lassolas and La Vache. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for renovation between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or at the Col de la Ventouse rest area (2).

From the Chaîne des Puys, descend through pastures and valleys into the Gorce stream valley. Beautiful views of the Sancy Massif and the Chaîne des Puys. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or start from Nébouzat (11).

A tour of the small Étang de Montlosier, passing three puys: Puy de Lassolas, Puy de la Vache and Puy de Vichatel. Magnificent views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy.

The Randanne stream and the pond it feeds are inextricably linked to the work of the Comte de Montlosier on an estate where he radically altered the landscape. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or in a small space near (15), or in Aurières (9), near the cemetery, just a short distance from the circuit

A short circular route to discover some aspects of the landscape developments carried out by the Count of Montlosier at the end of the 18th century to promote agriculture in a volcanic area not particularly suited to this activity. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for renovation between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or in a small area near (3).

A loop through woods and meadows at the foot of the puys, passing by the viewpoint at the Chapelle de Recoleine. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road.

This is a long circular route at the foot of the puys, through forests, fields and pastures, with a climb to the summit of Puy de la Combegrasse for a panoramic view of the Chaîne de Puys and the Monts Dore.

On the western side of the Chaîne des Puys, this fairly easy walk offers varied landscapes. On the Plateau des Dôme, there are large agricultural areas around Aurières, interspersed with the Gigeole and Gorce valleys. At the foot of the Puy de Pourcharet, Montjuger and Montchal, there are large summer pastures and forests. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road. There is also a large car park at the entrance to Aurières, near the cemetery (4).

Easy walk, accessible to all without any difficulty. Wide paths, gentle slopes. Beautiful varied landscapes, mostly in the forest but on the way back, you walk along vast meadows. (5) Alternative route possible by incorporating the fitness trail at the end of the route.

A short circuit that can also complement another hike. This route is in the woods, flat, and on well-maintained trails.

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.

From Fontfreyde, walk along the solidified lava flow of the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas in the undergrowth, then climb to the summit of the Puy de Vichatel before crossing the Domaine de Montlosier. Finally, take a detour to the old quarry of the adventitious crater of the Puy de la Vache

A circular route to discover the lovingly preserved heritage of a few hamlets and villages in Saint-Genès-Champanelle.

At the foot of the volcanoes, alternating woods and pastures in a landscape typical of the Chaîne des Puys.Between (2) and (4), a GPS or the Visorando app may be useful.

A very easy walk to enjoy the forest covering the solidified lava flow of Mercœur, passing through summer pastures.The Visorando app is recommended for certain sections.

An easy walk to enjoy the forest covering the solidified lava flow of Mercœur, passing through the large pasture meadows of Beaune, which offer beautiful views of the puys.

A circular route through the solidified lava flow of the Cheire de Mercœur forest, passing through the two twin jewels of the Chaîne des Puys, the extinct volcanoes of Lassolas and La Vache.

Two essential links in the Chaîne des Puys, accessible from Fontfreyde via a double circular loop offering a pleasant walk through the forest before beginning the ascent of the famous twin puys with their cratered peaks.

As you walk around the Puy de la Vigeral, which marks the western end of the Montagne de la Serre, you will almost always be overlooking the surrounding landscape and enjoying beautiful views of the more distant Chaîne des Puys and Sancy mountain ranges. In the village of Rouillat Haut, take the time to discover the enamelled lava plaques on display in the streets.

Nadaillat and Rouillat Haut are ancient hamlets typical of the Montagne de la Serre. This short loop follows pleasant paths, often lined with low stone walls, through terraced plots that were once farmed. Along the paths, you will also discover numerous fountains and small stone shepherds' shelters, known as "courtas". The hamlet of Rouillat Haut is distinguished by its beautiful enamelled lava street signs.

Long maintained by humans for livestock farming and crops, the Montagne de la Serre is now only partially cultivated and is returning to its original state, with alternating grasslands, fallow land and woods, which you can discover on this hike. This diversity of landscapes is much appreciated by wildlife, particularly migratory birds, many of which stop off at this site.

Starting from Nadaillat, a pretty village on the Montagne de la Serre, this circular route takes you through fields and meadows to the shores of Lac de la Cassière in the Veyre valley. On the way back, the route passes through Rouillat Haut, another pleasant village with a beautiful collection of enamelled lava street signs.

On the Montagne de la Serre, the inhabitants have exploited every inch of land for livestock farming, surrounding their small pastures or pailhas with dry stone walls that provide shelter for shepherds in bad weather. On the slopes, there are also rocky outcrops such as the Chaos de Flore, on the banks of the Auzon, in the centre of which a beautiful dolmen has been built.

A beautiful climb through undergrowth from Mareuge, on the heights of the upper Monne valley, a stream that rises from the Puys de Baladou and Védrine brooks. From the heights, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the Monts Dore, the Chaîne and the Plateau des Puys. Traditional architecture and heritage in the villages of Mareuge and Pessade.

At the foot of the Monts Dore, hike on the plateau criss-crossed by streams, between pastures and coniferous forests.