Grand Tour of Lac Pavin

A Grand Tour of the beautiful and mysterious Lac Pavin, passing by the Puy de Montchal and the Creux de Soucy chasm.

Technical sheet

67303
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 235 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 229 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,403 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,174 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start : Car park nearby D149 - D978 roundabout.

(S/E) From the car park, walk South-West on the road towards the lake "Lac Pavin".

(1) Join the platform that takes in the entire lake and follow the lovely shady path going right (South-West) along the edge of the lake. At the next Y-junction, leave the circuit around the lake and take the right-hand trail that then begins to climb.

(2) After about 800m you'll get to another junction. Take the wide path to the right (South-West). Further on, ignore a path going off to the right. A little further on (a sign with a map), turn left along the small discovery trail, which is very steep and stony.

At the top of the path, a sign saying "Lac Pavin", invites you to go left. Before doing so, continue to climb to the right "ad libitum", to admire the view.

(3) Return to the sign and continue opposite (in the direction of Lake Pavin) on your right.

(4) At the next junction, turn right (South-West) on the path that descends to the bottom of the Puy de Montchal crater, and climb back up the other side. The trail descends to the left and reaches a junction with various possible directions.

(5) Turn right again on a wide path. At the next intersection, turn left (South). The path leads to a very wide and flat forest path that you need to take to the left. When you get to the tarmac road, turn right (South) on it.

Later on (with a sign on the left), you can go a few extra meters to get a glimpse of the Creux de Soucy chasm, well protected by high fences. Near the sign, there is a beautiful place for a picnic. Resume the road going South.

(6) After 200 meters, take a small path to the left, simply indicated by a yellow arrow. Continue through the forest (an obvious route) to reach a wide path where a GR® passes. Take this path left ("white and red" markers). The view emerges on the right.

(7) Cross the road, you've already taken, toward the Creux de Soucy and get to another road that you then take opposite still walking North. After passing the cross-country skiing centre, you arrive near an information board about volcanism and a stunning view of the lake. You'll find a trail not marked on the IGN map behind the board.

(8) Take this path left rather than the road. The trail descends and joins the "official" trail on the map. Continue down to the left to join the path that goes around the lake. Turn right. Various openings in the forest allow you to see the lake that you still overlook.

The trail loses altitude little by little and takes you back to the starting point, after going between the restaurant and the lake.(1) Then go around the restaurant to take a right on the road leading to the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,174 m - Car park. Close to the - Couze Pavin (rivière) à finaliser
  2. 1 : km 0.37 - alt. 1,197 m - Turn to the right - Lac Pavin
  3. 2 : km 1.7 - alt. 1,298 m - Crossroads, right
  4. 3 : km 2.46 - alt. 1,403 m - Puy de Montchal
  5. 4 : km 2.76 - alt. 1,365 m - Right towards the Puy de Montchal crater
  6. 5 : km 3.86 - alt. 1,281 m - Tarmac road, right
  7. 6 : km 4.39 - alt. 1,260 m - Path to the left, entering the forest
  8. 7 : km 5.69 - alt. 1,260 m - Road crossing
  9. 8 : km 6.67 - alt. 1,236 m - Crossing, turn right to return to the lakeside
  10. S/E : km 7.81 - alt. 1,174 m - Car park

Practical information

Parking : Park in the car park below the one-way road that stretches North of the lake nearby D149 - D978 roundabout.

Facilities : Toilets at the start, near the restaurant.

Terrain : Good shoes are recommended because certain parts are gravelly (risk of slipping and sprains).

In the nearby area

  • Enjoy the view of the lake, particularly the last part.
  • The view is also exceptional, before going back down the Puy de Montchal.
  • There is an immense array of flora: including the purple foxglove, fairly rare elsewhere, etc...

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 102 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 24774818

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful tour, I recommend it.

Automatically translated

Didier69
Didier69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This route is well worth a visit. Magnificent scenery and beautiful views of the lake. We bumped into other hikers, but not too many. I would recommend

Automatically translated

baladin54
baladin54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice, easy walk. I'd recommend it.

Automatically translated

Didier69
Didier69

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a MAGNIFICENT place and a very interesting hike. Easy walk. The route is not easy to follow according to the signs on the first part. But you get there in spite of everything. Do it and do it again.

Automatically translated

Babysous
Babysous

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Great walk, the lake is magnificent.
Incredible tour of the forest with its autumn colours...
A must if you're in the area.
TOP

Automatically translated

GérardPierre67
GérardPierre67

A superb walk, especially in fine weather with its autumn colours.

Automatically translated

Manon2507
Manon2507

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Great route with varied landscapes and magnificent panoramas. An easy walk, done at the end of October in beautiful autumn colours - we were all alone on the path!

Automatically translated

GérardPierre67
GérardPierre67

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb walk, especially in fine weather with its autumn colours.

Automatically translated

choc40
choc40

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Just took a shortcut through the woods after descending the volcano to avoid going along the road. A great spot for mushrooms, by the way...

Automatically translated

randonneur 39
randonneur 39

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

nice little walk in the woods

Automatically translated

jhc019
jhc019

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A good, fairly easy circuit around the magnificent Lac Pavin. We went as far as Lac de Montcineyre, which was of no interest as the road passes through fields and the lake is off-limits as it is a source of drinking water and there is a warden. A round trip for nothing. What's more, the itinerary on the site for visiting this lake doesn't mention that it's off-limits, which is a shame.

Automatically translated

cemyr
cemyr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

This was a very nice walk, done at the pace of our 4 and 8 year-olds - 5 hours, lunch break included.
The only difficulty for them was the climb up to Puy de Montchal, but it's really very short.
All in all, varied, easy trails with lovely views.

Automatically translated

Madininaoursa
Madininaoursa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Tour of the lake Very beautiful and easy.

Automatically translated

Viso37
Viso37

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Owing to a lack of time, we decided to walk only around the lake. A very pretty lake and a relaxing walk.

Automatically translated

Blp69
Blp69

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Undeniably a very pleasant and varied walk. I'd recommend it. A must to be able to do this walk on the first of July --> very few people!

Automatically translated

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.