Lac Pavin walks

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

An interesting hike due to its diversity: peat bogs, volcanic lakes, chasms and, depending on the season, a few orchids between (6) and (7).

Starting from the Le Clos hotel in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, this loop takes you around Lac Pavin using the discovery trail and theGR®30.

This hike takes you to four volcanic lakes: Lac Pavin, which is 92 metres deep and 700 to 800 metres in diameter; Lac de Montcineyre, formerly owned by the Michelin family; Lac de Bourdouze, which is partially covered by peat bog; and finally Lac de l'Estivadoux, which is almost completely dry.

Hike in the Auvergne Volcanoes Park, starting from Besse (located an hour's drive south of Clermont-Ferrand). The discovery trail starting from the Hôtel le Clos combines wooded areas and open countryside, passing by Lake Pavin and Lake Montcineyre (swimming is prohibited in both). The trail is very well marked throughout (markings and signs).

On the snowshoe routes at the Pertuyzat resort, a very pleasant hike around Lake Pavin. You may be asked to pay €2.50 per person for the right to use the routes, for signposting and maintenance.

The route, mostly through forest, passes by the unmissable Lake Pavin before climbing Puy de Monchal and returning via the only chasm in Auvergne, Creux de Souci.