Round the base of Pariou and half-way round Puy de Dôme

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

Details

n°57263
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.94 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 544 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 541 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,415 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 966 m
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Photos

View from the summit of Puy de Dôme
Path between Puy de Pariou and Puy de Dôme -> towards Puy de Pariou

Description of the walk

Départ du parking des Goules sur la D941 (après la Fontaine du Berger - Orcines).
(S/E) Suivre le balisage Jaune (Tour du Pariou).
À la première intersection, continuer tout droit (au lieu de suivre le balisage à droite qui monte au sommet du Pariou) en suivant le chemin retour du tour du Puy de Pariou.
Arriver au pied des escaliers descendant du Pariou.

(1) Poursuivre tout droit en direction du Puy de Dôme en laissant les chemins des Petit et Grand Suchet sur votre droite.
Rejoindre le carrefour du lieu-dit Traversin (possibilité de ravitaillement en eau à la fontaine).

(2) Emprunter àdroite et à contre-sens du tour du Puy de Dôme en suivant le GR®441 balisé Rouge et Blanc. Le quitter au premier carrefour pour partir à gauche sur le GR®4 balisé également Rouge et Blanc.
Conserver ce GR® pour parvenir au Col de Ceyssat (eau potable).

(3) Obliquer à gauche et monter en direction du Chemin des Muletiers.
Le Chemin des Muletiers vous mène jusqu'au sommet du Puy de Dôme.
Longer la gare et le rail du train en descendant la route.

(4) Prendre à droite le Chemin des Chèvres aménagé de marches en bois.
En bas des marches, continuer "tout droit" avec, en visu, le Pariou.
Arriver au Traversin.

(2) Reprendre le chemin de l'aller pour revenir au parking des Goules (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 976 m - Parking des Goules
  2. 1 : km 2.33 - alt. 1,085 m - Puy Pariou footbridge
  3. 2 : km 3.4 - alt. 1,124 m - Le Traversin
  4. 3 : km 6.62 - alt. 1,079 m - Le col de Ceyssat
  5. 4 : km 9.13 - alt. 1,362 m - Summit > - Puy de Dôme
  6. S/E : km 13.94 - alt. 977 m - Parking des Goules

Notes

Fountains at Le Traversin and at the Col de Ceyssat.

Worth a visit

When the weather's on your side magnificent views of the Puys de Dôme, Pariou de Côme and all their satellites.
To improve the steep climb of the Chemin des Muletiers, superb clear views of Sancy.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 45 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Nonopetirobo
Nonopetirobo

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, though quite busy. You can do it either way if, like me, you take a wrong turn right at the start.

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User 3219907

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

nice walk even if the climb to Puy de Dôme is parish specific to Brittany

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AlexPDrum
AlexPDrum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike to the summit of Puy de Dôme, with superb views all the way. Possibility of adding the ascent of the Pariou steps. Easy to follow, especially with the live track and the number of hikers.
It was very cold at the top with the wind, so make sure you're well equipped.
Given the number of people on this cold April day, I'd recommend doing it out of season if possible, as it must be a real "motorway" at the height of the season.

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Aubert78
Aubert78

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Unintentionally, I did the route in the following direction: 1-2-4-3-2.
In the end, I was lucky, because the ascent (2-4, steep) to the Puy de Dôme is via a very long wooden staircase, which is easy on the knees, and the descent (4-3) via a path in good condition, steeper than the one on the ascent but which allows you to descend at a very gentle trot, which spares your knees any impact. A descent via the stairs with wooden steps, which must be damp, seems to me to carry a very high risk of slipping.
For a senior (++), I'd recommend this route.
Unfortunately, it's foggy at the top.

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domme
domme

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

parish specific to Brittany

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Furdan84
Furdan84

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike where you can admire all sides of the Puy de Dôme and the Puy de Pariou. Superb 360° views of the Puys range from the summit. A fine ascent along the sentier des Muletiers with its 14 switchbacks. Nice walk in the forest. And finally, a fine ascent to Pariou via the footbridge and its 300 wooden steps. Tour of the summit of Pariou: restricted access, work in progress.

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Canelle
Canelle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice, rather physical hike up to Puy de Dôme along the mule track. At the summit, a breathtaking 360° view with a swarm of paragliders and lots of people. Descend via the goat path, with its long wooden steps. The return journey takes the same route as the outward journey.
The explanations and signs are correct.
Thanks to the author of the route, and I loved the Auvergne.

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Mike95000
Mike95000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Fountain at Traversin closed

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Neigoo2603
Neigoo2603

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

This is my first time in the Puy chain sector, and I was a little disappointed because it wasn't all that extraordinary after all. Lack of signs, coding or signposting in some places. When we got to the top, everything was closed! Quite a few places are open to the wind, so plan on wearing ear muffs or hats. To be done at least once for the view of the summit of Puy de Dôme. Be careful, there are lots and lots of big steps, and the climbs are steep!

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michmuchp
michmuchp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Accessible except for pushchairs (mule track and steps)

Beautiful views of the Dômes and a shady section.
Moderate ascent except for the mule track.

A great way to discover the Puy de Dôme. Possibility of extending the walk to climb to Puy Pariou.

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tourny james
tourny james

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An easy walk. Many little-used paths. Lots of people at the summit of Le Puy, as the tourist train is obliged to do.

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JLDUV
JLDUV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very fine walk in sunny weather.
The ascent to Puy Pariou is made easier by the wooden steps, which are a pleasure to walk on.
The route from traversin to col de Ceyssat is shaded by undergrowth and the path is pleasant and fairly flat on the whole.
Climb via the muleteers' path, which is quite steep on some sections.
A sublime panorama at the top of the Puy de Dôme, with a 360° view and numerous volcanoes in the Puys chain visible.
A nice snack near the take-off area for the many paragliders on this day.
Return: Descend the staircase along the chemin des chèvres (goat path) to the traversin, then head for the foot of the Puy Pariou to reach the car park.

A word of advice: if you have small children, take the Panoramic Dome train up and walk back down, or take the train back for the less courageous.

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P'tite Dame
P'tite Dame

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Perfect weather on Sunday 26/05/19. Simple explanations and great impressions... do it again!

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nolio
nolio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk with a bit of snow and good weather.
We just made 2 adjustments:

  • Start from the chemin des muletiers car park (=> Not the waypoint 2 to 1 part at the start)
  • This allowed us to climb the Puy du Pariou in the same amount of time.

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laetiroux
laetiroux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice walk that can be extended with the ascent to Pariou.
A hike to be enjoyed in fine weather.

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