Circular route around the Chaudefour Valley and Puy de Sancy

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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.

Details

n°1055479
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 39.28 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 9,514 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 9,534 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,158 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,805 ft

Photos

Pâturages près de Bressouleille et du Puy de Pouge
Panorama de la Vallée de Chaudefour avec vu sur les crêtes.
Puy de Redon, Sancy et Gros
La Dent de la Raucune et la Crête du Coq

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Mont-Dore Station - Col de la Croix Morand

    Mont-Dore Station - Col de la Croix Morand

    ↔9.16 mi ↗3,163 ft ↘2,812 ft
    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.
    View the route
  2. 2
    Col de la Croix Morand - Courbanges

    Col de la Croix Morand - Courbanges

    ↔9.75 mi ↗1,230 ft ↘2,051 ft
    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.
    View the route
  3. 3
    Courbanges - Chareire

    Courbanges - Chareire

    ↔11.77 mi ↗2,595 ft ↘2,543 ft
    You will pass close to waterfalls at Cheix, Pérouse and Biche, and stop for a quick drink at the Sainte-Anne spring before beginning the ascent of the Puy de Champgourdeix (alt. 1,566 m) and the Perdrix (alt. 1,824 m), with views over the resort of Super Besse.
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  4. E
    Chareire - Mont-Dore Station

    Chareire - Mont-Dore Station

    ↔8.61 mi ↗2,526 ft ↘2,129 ft
    From Chareire, you will begin the ascent of Puy de Sancy (alt. 1,883 m), the highest point of the Massif Central, passing via the Col du Couhay and the Cabane, before descending towards the Mont-Dore resort via the Val de Courre.
    View the route

Notes

Please note: This route passes through the Chastreix-Sancy and Chaudefour Valley nature reserves. Dogs are not permitted, even on a lead, except on the markedGR® 30 trails.
Mountain biking, foraging and camping are prohibited. Please stay on the marked paths.
Full details at: Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve and Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve

Some additional information about the circular loop:

Difficulty: Moderate with some fairly steep climbs; walking poles are strongly recommended.

There may be snow in May and gusts of wind on the numerous ridges and passes along the route; I advise you to bring warm and/or windproof clothing.

Please note: at the start of the second stage (Col de la Croix Morand – Courbanges):
to avoid walking alongside a main road, you can take a shortcut – a pleasant, scenic 500m off-trail section – but waterproof footwear is advised, as the ground can be a bit marshy during wet spells.

Water sources: there are plenty; on the third day, you’ll find the Source Sainte-Anne, among others, and several waterfalls nearby (bring a water filter or purification tablets in these cases); otherwise, you can fill your water bottles in the evening at the refuge.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
bernard Gallois
bernard Gallois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Having set off with the tent, it was difficult to find a place to camp.

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karkad
karkad

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular route completed on 26 August. Note: paid parking at the start costs €4 for under 4 hours, otherwise €6, and €17 for over 12 hours!!! Quite a few people at the start and around Sancy, but very few once you start climbing towards the ridges. Magnificent scenery; the Fontaine Sainte-Anne is well worth a visit (drinking sparkling water). Spotted a slow worm and wild horses – blueberries, yum! I’ll be going back as this route doesn’t really allow you to explore the valley or its waterfalls.

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pupu94
pupu94

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely 4-day hike with stunning, varied scenery! Thanks to the author for this wonderful route.
Completed on 14/07/2022, camping:
-Day 1: at the top of the Puits de la Tache / make sure you take water with you at the start as there is none along the way.
-Day 2: we chose to continue past Courbanges to camp below the reserve house, by a stream.
-Day 3: camped at the exit of La Morangie on the outskirts of La Trentaine.
-Day 4: set off at 6am to be at the top of the Puits de Sancy by 8.30am, almost alone, with only the local trail runners out for their Sunday training and before the first tourists arrived.
Poles are essential due to the elevation changes, the terrain which is sometimes slippery and stony, and even in completely dry weather, as was the case for us.

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sucreroux23
sucreroux23
• Edited:

Thank you for choosing this hike – we look forward to sharing it with you!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Mont-Dore Station - Col de la Croix Morand

Visorando Member
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↔8.36 mi ↗+3,297 ft ↘-3,294 ft ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
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↔9.79 mi ↗+3,825 ft ↘-3,809 ft ◔7h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
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Walking The Puy de Sancy via the Courre Valley

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↔4.15 mi ↗+1,864 ft ↘-1,860 ft ◔3h 30 ▲Moderate
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↔5.47 mi ↗+919 ft ↘-3,251 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
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Découverte du Val de Courre au Mont-Dore
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Walking From Mont-Dore to Super Besse

Visorando Member
Du Mont-Dore à Super Besse
↔7.21 mi ↗+2,306 ft ↘-2,073 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
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.

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