Le col de Ceyssat walks

Just above Clermont-Ferrand, the inescapable climb to Puy-de-Dôme through the col de Ceyssat is a short but intense hike with an astonishing view over Clermont-Ferrand, the chaîne des Puys, paragliders and Millevaches. Caution, it's a very popular walk so be sure to do it during week days for a bit of peace and quiet.

A classic in the Chaîne des Puys to admire Puy de Dôme and Le Puy de Pariou, amongst others.

The view is just as pleasant at the top of this legendary trail. A longer but more enjoyable and varied climb than the Sentier des Muletiers.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

A very accessible ascent of the Puy de Dôme, despite the elevation gain. After the beautiful 'Chemins de la Roche Pertuisade and des Gravouses', which winds through pastures and woods at the foot of the puy, climb the Chemin des Chèvre, then the old road now used by the cog railway. Descent to the South via the Chemin des Muletiers, then back via the Chemin des Gouris.

A grand tour of the Puy de Dôme allows you to admire this local landmark from multiple angles. The ascents of the Grand Knoll and Cliersou, peaks overlooked by most hikers, offer beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme. This route, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly on flat ground and offers numerous panoramic views. The ascent via the mule track is steep but fairly short.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

After a moderate day's hiking, you are now in the most demanding part of the loop of domes, with magnificent views of the Puy de Côme, the Grand Knoll, the Petit Knoll and the Puy de Dôme. You will pass through beautiful forests of beech, conifer and hazel trees, a feast for the eyes!

A hike through the forest on little-used paths that is easy going too!

For hot summer days, this route is almost exclusively in the forest, at the foot of the volcanoes, following in the footsteps of the heroes of the Auvergne Resistance. A few crossings of meadows will offer you beautiful views of the Puy de Dôme.

At the end of the Second Empire, when thermal spas were booming in Auvergne, Puy de Dôme became the place to visit. Tourist guides of the time stated that "it is not permissible to leave Auvergne without having climbed Puy de Dôme"!

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme and Puy Pariou. This route, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly on flat ground and offers numerous panoramic views.Warning! Immediate danger – Rock falls. Due to rock falls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

A circular route almost exclusively in the forest, at the foot of the giant Chaîne des Puys, which can be seen on a few open stretches, with a return trip along a superb avenue lined with hundred-year-old beech trees.

A pleasant and easy hike in the Chaîne des Puys. Magnificent views of the Puy de Dôme can be admired.This hike requires two vehicles.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to falling rocks from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

In the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area, the Transport à la Demande (TAD) service, in addition to regular bus and tram lines, allows you to travel quite far around the city. This seven-stage itinerary takes advantage of this. Each stage begins and ends at a bus or TAD stop. In between, the routes allow you to discover the villages of the metropolitan area's green belt and the foot of the Puy de Dôme: the built heritage of their old wine-growing or mountain villages, their spa resorts, their natural environments and a few geological curiosities. The first stages follow the course of the Artière, and the last ones follow the course of the Tiretaine, two pretty little rivers, tributaries of the Allier, which originate at the foot of the puys.See "Practical information" for a 4-stage variant with accommodation.

And finally, here is the fifth stage, marked by the ascent of Puy de Dôme. The route takes the Chemin des Muletiers for the ascent, then the Sentier des Chèvres to descend towards Orcines. There is, of course, a vast panorama from the highest point of this stage, overlooking the city of Clermont-Ferrand, the chain of puys, the Combrailles, the Plateau des Dôme and the Massif du Sancy.