A geological curiosity, the Cheminée des Fées is a ‘demoiselle coiffée’ (a rock formation resembling a lady with a headdress) formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. A mass of lava fell onto the clay soil and, over thousands of years, erosion washed away the clay except beneath the enormous volcanic bomb, which now stands perched on top.
Country:
France
City:
Saint-Diéry (63320) 
The start is at the car park, Place du Lavoir, in Cotteuge.
(S/E) With your back to the wash house, turn right and follow the street carefully to the bridge over the River Couse Pavin.
(1) Cross the bridge and follow Rue des Fées to the edge of the woods.
(2) Continue along the path on the left until you reach the geological curiosity known as the Cheminée des Fées, visible on your right.
(3) Return along the same route to the Place du Lavoir (S/E).
Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A short walk
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Mar 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
An excellent spot for a picnic, as it’s an easy walk from the road, with a table available and, of course, a view of the chimney.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A short family walk that’s really suitable for children, leading to this magnificent chimney at the end 
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+827 ft
-827 ft
3h 30
Easy
Departure from Saint-Diéry (Puy-de-Dôme)
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+1,325 ft
-1,322 ft
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+764 ft
-764 ft
2h 00
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+1,962 ft
-1,985 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
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+1,617 ft
-1,604 ft
6h 05
Moderate
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2.98 mi
+522 ft
-522 ft
1h 50
Easy
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+197 ft
-197 ft
1h 10
Easy
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+1,263 ft
-1,276 ft
4h 35
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Nectaire (Puy-de-Dôme)
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