La Banne d'Ordanche

de fr

A hiking trail in the Auvergne summer pastures, on a summit overlooking the spa resort of La Bourboule.

Technical sheet

n°13138
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 460 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 452 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,505 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,247 m
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Photos

the climb
A few snowfalls in early May on the Sancy (Photo from Puy Gros)
View of La Bourboule
Lake Guéry

Description of the walk

Go to the Lac de Guery and park in the large car park at the end of the lake(S) This is where this walking tour in Auvergne starts.

Take the GR®30 path (red and white waymarks). N.B. Contrary to what is stated on the IGN map, this GR® path goes along the right bank of the lake in order to avoid the road.

Stay on the waymarked hiking trail which, after taking you on a path due south to the end of the lake, goes towards the west. You'll reach the summit of Puy Gros (1) Go downhill to the hamlet called Tenon. Here you leave the hiking trail (2)to take a smaller hiking trail (yellow waymarks), going through pastures and leading to a large track at the Col de St-Laurent (3) Take a left to reach the summit of La Banne d'Ordnacge (4) going up the wooden stairway.

Return to the crossroad mentioned before and continue on the track, due East and then due North-East. Go through the farm of Puy Mary ruins (5)before regaining the heritage trail (Sentier Découverte) (6) which takes you back to the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,263 m - Car park north of Lac de Guéry - Col de Guéry
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 1,260 m - Carrefour - Lac de Guéry
  3. 2 : km 5.19 - alt. 1,483 m - Puy Gros
  4. 3 : km 6.56 - alt. 1,345 m - Au Vieux Loup
  5. 4 : km 7.67 - alt. 1,449 m - Col de Saint-Laurent (1450m)
  6. 5 : km 8.28 - alt. 1,486 m - La Banne d'Ordanche
  7. 6 : km 10.04 - alt. 1,397 m - Puy May Farm
  8. S/E : km 12.98 - alt. 1,263 m - Car park north of Lac de Guéry

Practical information

No water source on this walk.

In the nearby area

The summer pastures allow you to catch a glimpse of cows grazing peacefully during this hike. Chalets are no longer occupied, the shepherds now live in camping vans. Further down on La Banne, gentian grows freely, which is used for making drinks such as Suze, local colour known as Avèze (drink in moderation).

 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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 218 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike with lots of flowers at this time of year. The start was a little complicated due to roadworks and a few people at the signpost.

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User 10464052

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent view from the summit of Puy Gros: the summit of Sancy, Mont Dore, the glacial valley with the lock, La Bourboule!
On the other side, a little way off, the Puys range.

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cathy86
cathy86

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent walk at the beginning of May, with beautiful panoramic views in the sunshine.

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philWEI
philWEI

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

We did this loop in winter after the snow had fallen. It's a MAGNIFICENT hike, but in these conditions you need the right equipment. We were equipped with crampons and dressed warmly.
We were equipped with crampons and warmly dressed, but we came across some young people in trainers who were taking big risks on the descent of the Puy Gros: slipping, knee-deep in snow! On the other hand, you should be aware that the final part of the circuit is on the Guéry Nordic area and that the paths (in winter, of course) are marked out for cross-country skiers: pedestrians are forbidden and have to walk on a parallel path, which is badly marked out in my opinion. In any case, it's one of my last best memories of a very beautiful winter walk.

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Loïc 38
Loïc 38

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent walk. Magnificent views.
Just lacked a bit of wildlife at the time we did it.
I highly recommend it.

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La Jarle
La Jarle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk, I think it should be more popular in summer. The section on the GR30 is very pleasant and the gradient is well distributed. You pass through several different landscapes and the summits are very accessible, even for beginners.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello, at the end of your message you'll note this oh-so-important sentence:
Half a glass of something to cheer you up in the refuge next to the Lac car park and everyone's happy!
It's the2nd essential thing to do after a hike, so that you can go home happy and do it again later.
I'm also delighted that you liked this summit, as it's one of those on the site that has received the most comments and is definitely worth a visit.
Have a nice day

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PEDROLOL
PEDROLOL
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It was a leisurely walk, although we passed a few walkers going in the opposite direction.
The gradient was good, with one or two sections where it climbed a little, but nothing too serious!
The banne is very accessible, with a small staircase path. The weather was fickle at the start, and the Puy Gros was in the clouds, but it was revealed at the end of the hike. The reward was an incredible view of the Sancy and La Bourboule.

Half a glass of wine to cheer us up in the refuge next to the Lac car park, and everyone's happy!

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g1l
g1l

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The number of people depends on the day (a Sunday for me) and the route. A lot of people towards the lake and the banne, but hardly anyone in between.

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PP823mar
PP823mar

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very fine walk, with beautiful views over the Guéry plateau and the Sancy massif.

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langdomi
langdomi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful walk with magnificent views. The route is not particularly difficult, but you will need to be in good physical condition as there are some steep sections.

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splendeurnature
splendeurnature

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,

It's not very difficult, but very busy, a 360° view.

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Denis26
Denis26 ★
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely route with some fine viewpoints. We took a diversion to see the waterfall a hundred metres after the start, then passed the Borne des 4 Seigneurs and the Puy Loup before rejoining the route.
There were quite a few people between the Banne d'Ordanche and the Puy Loup, not to mention the harmless cows...

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Yves Pomié
Yves Pomié

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

A beautiful hike with magnificent scenery: views of Mont Dore, La Bourboule, Puy de Sancy...
The banne d'Ordanche offers a 360° view of the whole region.
We meet a lot of people on the way.

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Abodereau
Abodereau
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk. No major difficulties.

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