Montbert Forest and Chauvet Lake

de fr

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

Details

n°139405
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 108 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 110 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,255 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,161 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Small "rû"
Deciduous forest
Super-Besse
View of the Sancy

Description of the walk

Join the D203 and park in the Lac Chauvet car park, which is clearly signposted from the road.

(S/E) At the end of the car park, cross the stream flowing out of the lake, continue straight ahead and then take the path on the far right (GR®30). This forest path is well shaded.

(1) Once out of the forest, turn left at the first crossroads. The path then climbs gently and crosses the Montbert Forest, a beautiful forest of beech and spruce trees.

(2) At the end of this wide path, take the trail on the right marked with a yellow sign. A little further on, you will leave the forest again and cross a meadow. The view then extends to the Cantal and the Monts Dore. Pass to the right of the houses and arrive at the corner of a forest.

(3) Continue east and take a poorly marked path that follows the edge of the forest (there may be mud on a short section).

(4) You will then join theGR®4(red and white markings) and turn left until you return to Lac Chauvet.

(5) Turn left again at the edge of another forest to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,163 m - Lac Chauvet car park
  2. 1 : km 1.53 - alt. 1,165 m - Fork to the left
  3. 2 : km 2.96 - alt. 1,243 m - Small path on the right
  4. 3 : km 4.2 - alt. 1,196 m - Edge of the forest, on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.44 - alt. 1,178 m - GR®4 junction
  6. 5 : km 5.61 - alt. 1,198 m - Still on the left
  7. S/E : km 7.17 - alt. 1,163 m - Parking

Notes

The hike is not particularly difficult, except for one section that can sometimes be muddy. In dry weather, hiking sandals are more than adequate. The path through the meadow is not always very well marked, so refer to the landmarks indicated in the description.

You may encounter herds of animals: pass by without disturbing or teasing them.

Alternative route. At the point (3), the path that continues to the right allows you to extend the hike: refer to the map if you wish to take this route.

Worth a visit

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 58 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 1322562

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk offering views of the Monts du Cantal on one side and Super Besse on the other.
We completed this walk in mid-April 2026 in 2 hours (3 adults and 2 teenagers aged 11 and 13)… and we didn’t meet a single soul!
No significant difficulties.

Machine-translated

herve dubief
herve dubief

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Typical landscape. First forest, then vast plateau, discovery and return along a volcanic lake.
No cows at this time of year.

Machine-translated

fgregory63
fgregory63
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike, mostly through the forest, so it's nice and shaded. Some nice views of the Sancy massif. Be careful at point 2, where the yellow sign has disappeared.
I have just read Flovac's report and can only sympathise with his misadventure... We had two dogs on leads and were not bothered.

Machine-translated

Flovac
Flovac

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

WARNING: we did this hike and were attacked by cows when we crossed the field. We were walking quietly along the path with our dog on a leash and at our feet (as indicated on one of the signs), so there was nothing to alarm the cows or attract their attention. One of them started coming towards us, snorting, then the others came and surrounded us, pushing us around with rage. We fell several times, with the cows continuing to charge us. Fortunately, the dog escaped and the cows followed him, allowing us to get to safety. He ran faster than them and was also able to get to safety, but we didn't know this and didn't find him until several hours later.
We were evacuated by the fire brigade and taken to the emergency room in Clermont, where we were diagnosed with broken ribs, head trauma, bruises and contusions all over our bodies, including our faces. We are very lucky to be alive. I don't know what would have happened if there had been children with us..
We heard that the day before, hikers without dogs had also been harassed but without injury, and a firefighter told us he had to climb a tree to escape them while hiking.
Admittedly, this hike is pretty at the start, but I strongly advise against crossing this field!

Machine-translated

Gisèle 94
Gisèle 94

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike. Very varied (lake shores, forest, mountain pastures).

Reviews in 2024 mentioned that the paths were in poor condition. On the contrary, we found the forest paths to be very beautiful!

Due to uncertain weather, we decided to do the route in reverse.

At point 5, there were no GR markings (but only one path). We found the GR markings further on when crossing a fence.
Between points 3 and 2, there were lots of cows... but we crossed the herd without any problems.

Machine-translated

User 8152579

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

In some places, the signage is not sufficiently clear.

Machine-translated

grumes
grumes

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very fine route through forest and meadow.
But the signposting was either non-existent in places or poorly signposted, especially in the large meadow. We made several detours by asking other hikers who were also lost.
The paths were muddy in places, but this was indicated in the description.
It's a shame that the lake is private and that it's forbidden to walk around it.
A hike to be recommended, but with clear signs.

Machine-translated

Volcan 63
Volcan 63
• Edited:

Hello,
I have already given my opinion on this hike.
The paths are impassable because they have been ploughed by forestry machinery.
Best regards.

Machine-translated

Volcan 63
Volcan 63

The forest paths leading from Lac Chauvet are impassable because they have been literally torn up and ploughed by forestry machinery. As a result, we were unable to go on our hike and fell back on Lac Pavin, which is beautiful at this time of year.

Machine-translated

Dorine63
Dorine63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Varied landscapes, mostly shaded, then you emerge into meadows with magnificent views of the Cantal mountains. The walk ends in the forest. The only downside is a herd of cows to get around.
We highly recommend this hike!

Machine-translated

Olivier GB
Olivier GB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with varied landscapes. As the lake is private, there are few viewpoints, but there is a picnic table at the start with a view of the lake, which is cool!

Machine-translated

Chefdeville
Chefdeville

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view of the lake and lovely passages under beech forests. It was lovely on a sunny day.

Machine-translated

mick15
mick15

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful hike

Machine-translated

BAADECHE
BAADECHE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A peaceful walk, passing through summer pastures along the fence, so no worries if you have a dog.

Machine-translated

inconnu qui randonne
inconnu qui randonne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

It's a lovely, easy walk that takes about two and a half hours.
We were lucky because a deer appeared in the forest shortly after we set off.

In addition to the comments on the information sheet, I would like to add that:
To cross the meadow, simply follow the obvious route marked for mountain bikers from point 3 to point 4.
The rest of the path is straightforward until point 5, where you rejoin the GR.

There were no animals grazing when we passed through, which was a shame.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Puy de Montchal and Lac de Moncineyre

Visorando member
↔14.31 km ↗+311 m ↘-305 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
A circular route mostly through forest, passing by the summit of Puy de Montchal, which offers a view to the west, followed by a return trip through meadows and peat bogs to Lac de Montcineyre.The Visorando app is recommended for the forest section.

Walking Vallées de la Fontaine Salée, de la Trentaine and de Chareire

Visorando member
↔15.48 km ↗+525 m ↘-519 m ◔5h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Picherande (Puy-de-Dôme)
On the southern flank of Puy de Sancy, the route climbs up the Fontaine Salée watershed and continues to ascend, passing through mountain pastures criss-crossed by streams at the foot of the Gros and Paillaret peaks, before descending into the Ruisseau de Chareire valley. Superb views to the south and west.

Walking Peat bog and Gayme Woods

Visorando member
↔11.98 km ↗+269 m ↘-261 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Picherande (Puy-de-Dôme)
Starting from Picherande, a circular route with varied landscapes, agricultural at the start, then wilder with a visit to the Gayme peat bog, and finally forest.

Walking Lac Chauvet from Picherande

Visorando member
↔15.38 km ↗+295 m ↘-299 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Picherande (Puy-de-Dôme)
A beautiful hike in the heights of Cézallier. The route follows a stream, crosses footbridges, beech woods and pastures to discover the Cascade de la Barthe waterfall and Lac Chauvet lake. Note that there is a picnic area at (8).

Walking La Fontaine Salée

Visorando member
La Fontaine Salée
↔20.40 km ↗+604 m ↘-599 m ◔7h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Picherande (Puy-de-Dôme)
A day's walk from Picherande allows you to discover the impressive glacial cove of Fontaine Salée, whose pastoral activity is now protected by a nature reserve.

Walking Puy de Chambourguet

Visorando member
Puy de Chambourguet
↔2.92 km ↗+143 m ↘-143 m ◔1h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
A little-known peak in the Massif du Sancy, the Puy de Chambourguet offers a panoramic view of the Super-Besse resort, the Sancy, the Domes, the Pavin, Bourdouze and Chauvet lakes, the entire Massif Cantalien, the Monts du Cézallier and even more if the weather is clear.

Walking Tour of Puy de Sancy from Super-Besse

Visorando member
Tour du Puy de Sancy depuis Super-Besse
↔16.21 km ↗+1,029 m ↘-1,021 m ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
A superb hike around the Puy de Sancy, with many views of the surrounding area.

Walking Puy de Sancy from Super Besse

Visorando member
Puy de Sancy au départ de Super Besse
↔9.89 km ↗+519 m ↘-621 m ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
Access to Puy de Sancy on the way there via the east and north ridges of the Super Besse resort and return via theGR®4. Please note that two vehicles are required for this hike: one at the top of the resort and another at the Lac des Hermines car park.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.