La Banne d’Ordanche

A route through the Auvergne mountain pastures, on a peak overlooking the spa town of La Bourboule.

Details

13138
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,509 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,483 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,938 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,091 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to Lake Guéry and park in the large car park at the far end of the lake.

(S/E) Take theGR®®30(red and white markings). N.B. Contrary to what is shown on the IGN map, thisGR®® now runs along the right-hand bank of the lake to avoid the road.

(1) Stay on the well-markedGR®® trail which, after following a track due south at the end of the lake, turns west. Walk through the mountain pasture before beginning the ascent of Puy Gros. Reach the summit of this Puy.

(2) Then descend to the hamlet known as Le Tenon, where there is a sign reading: ‘Au Vieux Loup’.

(3) Leave theGR®® here and take thePR®® (yellow markings), which crosses the pastures to join a wide track at the Col de Saint-Laurent.

(4) Turn left to reach the summit of the Banne d’Ordanche via the wooden steps.

(5) Return to the aforementioned junction at the Col Saint-Laurent.

(4) Continue along the track, heading east then north-east. Pass through the ruins of the Puy May farm.

(6) Join the nature trail which leads back to the first junction.

(1) Follow the route you took on the way out in the opposite direction to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,144 ft - Car park to the north of Lake Guéry - Col de Guéry
  2. 1 : mi 0.18 - alt. 4,134 ft - Crossroads - Lac de Guéry
  3. 2 : mi 3.23 - alt. 4,865 ft - Puy Gros
  4. 3 : mi 4.08 - alt. 4,413 ft - At Le Vieux Loup
  5. 4 : mi 4.77 - alt. 4,754 ft - Col de Saint-Laurent (1450m)
  6. 5 : mi 5.15 - alt. 4,875 ft - La Banne d'Ordanche
  7. 6 : mi 6.24 - alt. 4,583 ft - Puy May Farm
  8. S/E : mi 8.06 - alt. 4,144 ft - Car park to the north of Lake Guéry

Notes

No water on this route.

Worth a visit

This walk through the summer pastures offers the chance to come across cows grazing peacefully here. The chalets are no longer occupied, and the shepherds now live in campervans. Further down, beneath the canopy, the gentian harvest is in full swing, providing the raw materials for Suze-style aperitifs, which here have a local flavour under the name Avèze (to be consumed in moderation).
Lake Guery

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 244 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ggcc
ggcc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful and varied landscapes

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User 31103858

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant hike with lovely views of the Puy de Sancy, and the 360-degree view is magnificent. We had lovely sunny weather ☀️

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Joked
Joked

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most beautiful walks we went on during our holiday. Thank you for this route!

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User 4054481

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A walk that starts just a stone’s throw from Lac du Guéry, with views of the Roches Tuilières and Sanadoires.
The first section is very pleasant, with a shaded path along the lake’s edge. What follows is truly breathtaking, taking you through wide-open spaces with 360° panoramic views of the Col de la Croix Morand, the Puy de Sancy, the town of Mont-dore and La Bourboule.
The walk through the mountain pastures is lovely, with herds of Salers cows and other livestock. Be careful when calves are with their mothers – avoid walking through the herd as you might get chased!! Take a slight detour to give them some space.
We absolutely loved this walk, which is over 15 kilometres long if you climb the Banne d’Ordanche; allow a good five hours for experienced walkers, and make sure you’re well equipped, particularly with walking poles to help with the descents.

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Lulurando66
Lulurando66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk, with no particular difficulties.
We did this walk in July 2026; at the foot of the Col de St Laurent there were some odd wooden structures. Seen from the pass, they looked like flowers of different colours. We later learnt that such artistic installations are dotted all along the routes and change every year. Nice.
Just to clarify: the climb up to the Col de St Laurent is a bit steep, and once you reach the top, the Banne d’Ordanche looms up on its steepest side, which might put some people off. In fact, the ascent involves going round the Banne and is very easy.
The wooden steps are low and deep; you can climb them almost as if walking normally. Allow between 10 and 15 minutes to reach the summit. The view from the top is superb. Don’t miss it!

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mdre
mdre

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

At the end of this hike, I decided to buy myself (at last) some walking poles, after having sniggered whenever I saw other hikers kitted out like that (I admit it!)
A superb walk, with a fair bit of climbing, but the finish is brilliant
We met some ‘brave’ walkers like us, and they were really friendly
Lots of stones on the climb, but we didn’t mind this wild, rugged side of it

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sophyo
sophyo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant route, with magnificent views and an easy route to follow. The first part takes you through the trees and then across the plateau. Make sure you bring water, as there are no springs or water points along the route.
Parking at the start is in a pay-and-display car park (4 euros from 10 am to 5 pm on a Sunday)
Thank you for the detailed guide. There are alternative routes available to avoid two steep climbs.

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philippe bernouin
philippe bernouin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
A lovely walk with magnificent views of the Monts du Sancy, the Chaîne des Puys, and, in the distance, the Monts du Cantal.
You just need to be careful on the descent from Puy Gros, as the stony path requires constant attention.
Otherwise, this is a must-do hike if you’re in the area.
Philippe

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DROP34
DROP34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A well-signposted walk with superb views; it was a bit of a leg-burner for me that day, and the walk back was a bit monotonous.

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User 29597873

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike in cloudy weather, which wasn’t a bad thing as there’s no shade once you move away from the lake. There are some steep climbs, but these are followed by flat sections, which give you a chance to catch your breath.
You go from the lakeside forest to rolling pastures, then on to peaks with breathtaking views. The return is a gentle walk along a wide, slightly downhill path.
A very good hike; best done in this direction rather than the other (follow the signs for Banne d’Ordanche).

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User 3291909

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk

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User 28203690

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A brilliant walk, thank you very much

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User 18570654

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I’d say it’s somewhere between moderate and difficult, but it’s a really interesting hike. Well worth doing (with a short detour to see the waterfall nearby)

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User 22498352

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, peaceful walk, though it’s very busy.

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stjo
stjo

@faistos The proof is in: when you go hiking, you should never set off late.

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