Chaîne des Puys walks

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 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 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.

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

A very beautiful and varied hike, between 1,300 and 1,500 m, which can be completed in half a day, in medium-altitude 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.

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.

A hike on a volcanic plateau with views of the Chaîne des Puys, a world of stones and pastures; a few isolated villages, cows and a glimpse of the civilisation of the Arverni (Gauls of Auvergne) through standing stones and dolmens. A magnificent walk in all seasons.

An easy walk on the outskirts of Clermont-Ferrand in a cool valley.

A hike around the largest dome in the Chaîne des Puys. Views and openings on all sides, surrounded by forests and summer pastures on the Traversin section, the central point of the chain between Puy de Dôme and Puy du Pariou.

A very pleasant walk in the oldest part of the Chaîne des Puys. The hamlet of Beaunit is nestled in the hollow of a volcanic maar that was occupied by a lake several hundred thousand years ago.

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.

A very accessible ascent of the Puy de Dôme, despite the elevation gain. After the beautiful 'Chemins de la Roche Pertuisade and des Gravouses', which winds through pastures and woods at the foot of the puy, climb the Chemin des Chèvre, then the old road now used by the cog railway. Descent to the South via the Chemin des Muletiers, then back via the Chemin des Gouris.

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.

One of the favourite walks for locals, along a beautiful stream, through the woods, very close to the spa centre.

It is very rare not to encounter other walkers on this beautiful granite promontory overlooking Royat and Chamalières. The residents of Royat and Chamalières enjoy walking here in all seasons. This loop follows a forest discovery trail, the beautiful Chemin des Crêtes and part of the Roman road that linked Lyon to Saintes. In the last part of the hike, the beautiful forest paths were transformed into wide tracks at the end of 2022 and tree debris litters the banks. Some of the landmarks mentioned in the description are therefore missing

A hike in a protected environment to discover the Volvic springs and Volvic stone, formed from molten lava. And why not take a little detour to Tournoël Castle?

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.

"Human noise becomes silent, nature makes volcanoes chatter; whispering landscapes, and whispering a thousand voices of silence". Caption of the beautiful sculpture by Thierry Courtadon that you will encounter on your route, alongside with great viewpoints.

A pleasant and easy walk for the whole family through varied landscapes with the Puy de Dôme in the distance.

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.

During this walk, you will follow the small, rushing Tiretaine River, which originates near Font de l'Arbre, not far from Puy de Dôme, and disappears into the underground tunnels of Clermont-Ferrand.

A grand tour of the Puy de Dôme allows you to admire this local landmark from multiple angles. The ascents of the Grand Knoll and Cliersou, peaks overlooked by most hikers, offer beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.

Since 1992, this pleasant walk has invited visitors to stroll among Gilles Perez's monumental contemporary lava stone sculptures, which blend in with the landscape and nature. Additional sculptures have been added over the years.

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.

A perfect circle 700 m in diameter and approximately 66 m deep, the Gour de Tazenat is a crater lake or maar whose clear waters are home to a variety of aquatic fauna. A path through the undergrowth allows everyone to walk around it easily.

On the Plateau des Dôme, a circular route passing through traditional villages, a beautiful castle and a pretty site on the banks of the Sioule, offering beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme. This route, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly on flat ground and offers numerous panoramic views. The ascent via the mule track is steep but fairly short.

Take quiet paths to discover one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne. This route offers beautiful landscapes and passes through hamlets rich in beautiful farms, fountains and wash houses.

This route starts at the Vulcania crossroads and begins with a long, fairly flat, open path before crossing the forest to reach these two magnificent volcanoes. The route can be done in either direction.

After a moderate day's hiking, you are now in the most demanding part of the loop of domes, with magnificent views of the Puy de Côme, the Grand Knoll, the Petit Knoll and the Puy de Dôme. You will pass through beautiful forests of beech, conifer and hazel trees, a feast for the eyes!

This hike allows you to discover the "perfect" crater of the Puy des Goules and the much more complex crater of the Puy des Gouttes, with the protrusion of the Puy Chopine. Beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.The Visorando app is recommended for certain unmarked sections.

From Pontgibaud and the beautiful medieval architecture of Château Dauphin, you will travel through the mysterious landscapes of the Cheire de Pontgibaud, one of the most beautiful lava flows in the Chaîne des Puys.

This large loop 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 is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or at the Col de la Ventouse car park (2)

Hike on the high plateau of Pessade offering beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy, with the Labadeau stream as your guide from its source to Saulzet-le-Froid.

In Enval, the playful Ambène stream rises in the chestnut groves and offers dazzling views of the Château de Tournoël and the Chaîne des Puys in the distance. This site is classified as a natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest. This hike can be done in hot weather as it is very shaded.

Hike along the slopes of the Montaudoux and Gravenoire puys to reach the viewpoint of the Rocher du Salut. On the way back, you can visit the town and the Royat spa district.

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

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme and Puy Pariou. This circuit, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly flat and offers numerous panoramic views.

The southern loop, to be covered on the first day, is easy going except for its length, which is nearly 27 km. This route passes through numerous hills, beautiful forests and the lovely countryside surrounding the hills. Be careful not to get your feet caught in the strings!

From the Chaîne des Puys, descend through pastures and valleys in 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 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.

A hike entirely in the forest, in the unique landscape of the Cheire de Côme. You will be left to your own devices in this mysterious forest, on small unmarked paths for part of the route, wherethe Visorando app is almost essential. The Signed Stone is an enigma, perhaps you can try to solve it.

A forest walk in the foothills of the Combrailles leading to the "Pierre Branlante" site. Erosion has cleared away a block of granite, leaving it balanced on its side. According to legend, this block oscillates when touched by human hands.

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.

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!

Leaving Sayat, discover the wine-growing village of Châteaugay on the way out through the orchards of the Plateau de Lachaud and on the way back through the Plateau de Bade. Along the way, you'll discover the market towns of Malauzat and Blanzat.

Starting from Laschamps near Puy de Dôme, the route takes you to the village of Beaune le Chaud, then onto theGR®®4andGR®®30to climb the Puy de Lassolas and Puy de la Vache with magnificent panoramic views, before reaching La Cassière and its lake. Please note: Access to the summits of Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for works between August 2025 and 2027.

An urban walk for Sundays, when shops and restaurants are closed, to discover some beautiful paintings on shop shutters. The itinerary also allows you to discover several murals in the historic centre of Clermont.

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