Le Falgoux walks

A very beautiful (and fairly short) stage, partly along the ridge with views of Puy Mary. A magnificent basalt plateau from Le Luchard onwards. The route leads to the Puy Mary lodge, about 1.5 km beyond the village.

A beautiful three-day hike, sleeping in a bivouac, with interesting variations in altitude.

A lovely three-day hike with wild camping and some challenging climbs.

A short circular loop to discover the best of the Cirque d’Impramau. Breathtaking views of almost the entire Cantal volcano, and a chance to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the Impramau summer pastures. The first two-thirds follow marked and unmarked paths; the final third is almost entirely off-trail, taking you through summer pastures, over rocks, across numerous streams and through fence gates that you sometimes have to search for, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll be walking amongst animals—cows, horses and sheep—guarded by livestock guard dogs. If you’re an early riser, it’s common to spot chamois, mouflons and marmots, and sometimes vultures from Lozère. Visorando app recommended

A superb hike along a ridge with views of the Cantal mountains.

Stage 3 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400. Departure above the hamlet of Récusset, at the end of the long forest track. The upper part of this hike is on open tracks with no shade. The descent, although some sections are shaded, remains exposed.

This easy walk will take you to the summit of Puy Violent, where you can admire a superb 360° view of the Aurillac plain and Puy Mary. Above the Croix des Vachers, an orientation table will tell you the name of each peak.

A long walk along the ridges allows you to enjoy the view of the Puy du Cantal, the Puy de Sancy and the Plomb du Cantal. Pass through the Brèche de Roland and return to the Cirque d'Eylac with the marmots.

The circuit offers magnificent panoramic views of twelve valleys from the summit. Puy Mary, a veritable pyramid when seen from the sky, rises to 1,783 metres. In the heart of the Cantalien Massif, it is surrounded by exceptional landscapes formed by volcanic activity and glacial erosion, representing the largest volcano in Europe (2,700 km²).

This is the ideal walk if you’re staying at the Claux campsite, as that’s where the walk starts. It’s a moderate walk with some lovely views along the way.

Stage 4 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400 Another beautiful stage alternating between summer pastures, forests, ridges, peaks (puy) and passes. Long, with quite a lot of elevation gain and loss. Bring plenty of water!

Climb to the summit of the famous Puy Mary from the south-east, via a very pleasant trail, leaving your car quite far away to avoid the crowds of visitors who gather at the Pas de Peyrol. Some hikers may find this hike a little difficult, see reviews.

Cross the beautiful high-altitude beech forest in the Bois Mary, then follow the path along the ridge of the Monts du Cantal. This hike alternates between shade in the first half and sunshine and magnificent views in the second half.

A short walk through the Bois du Christ, featuring a wayside shrine rising above the trees, offering views of the surrounding landscape. The walk concludes with a circuit of Lac des Cascades along the nature trail about the wildlife of the Cantal.

Pleasant circular walk through the woods in the Marilhou Valley, where you can see a small waterfall and the ruins of a medieval village.

Round trip above Mandailles, in the vast cirque of Fours de Peyre-Arse and the sources of the Jordanne. Not to be missed: both green and mountainous; magnificent landscapes, moderate difficulty. Climb under the trees, then through the meadows, then walk along an easy ridge path. 360° views in the foreground of the entire Auvergne volcano chain. No difficulty on the route. Marked but regular ascents/descents and a short climb to pass the Brèche de Rolland.

This loop, which starts a few kilometres from Mandaille, will take you to the Col de Cabre and the foot of Puy Griou. With panoramic views of the Cantaliens mountains and forests, this hike, with its varied terrain, is particularly enjoyable in warm weather.

A beautiful, not too difficult walk with magnificent scenery. Ideal for discovering the landscapes of the Cantal.

The third and final stage of my three-day tour of Puy Mary, featuring the ascent of Puy Mary

A short, fairly easy hike from the Puy Mary campsite in Mandailles, which allows you to walk in the hills east of the village and return via the Gorges de la Jordanne (when the water level allows).

Visit to a practically perfect cone that could have inspired the builders of the pyramids if they had known the Massif Central and particularly this Cantalian summit.

A short hike for residents of Mandailles who want to go for a walk without taking the car.

The second stage of my three-day tour of Puy Mary, with an overnight stay in a bivouac. Passing through villages where you can stock up on supplies if necessary

Stage 5 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400A forest stage (therefore shaded) with two potential climbs: the Puy de l'Usclade and the Puy Griou. * Editor's note: we have also decided not to follow the original GR®400 route, which makes a long detour to the Col de Pertus, which we don't think is worth the effort. We will reach the Col de Gliziou via the PR® (orange and green markings) which climb up the Ruisseau du Luc valley.

A day's walk in magnificent surroundings, using theGR® trails in the area. We are within sight of Puy Chavaroche and Puy Mary.

Stage 2 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400. A long and challenging stage due to the heat in June. It might be better to split the stages differently. Some very beautiful sections, particularly the arrival on the ridge before Puy Mary, the area around Puy de la Tourte, etc. More difficult sections: the Brèche de Rolland, the Luchard plateau and the long descent to Falgoux. It should be noted that the ascent of Puy Mary is not compulsory.

An easy, shaded approach to this iconic peak in the Monts du Cantal, with its perfect cone shape and superb views. However, the final climb is quite technical and challenging.

From the Col du Pertus, discover the village of Mandailles and the hamlets of Larmandie and Liadouze on the banks of the Jordanne. On both the outward and return journeys, gaps in the forest offer beautiful views of the valley, the Chavaroche and Puy Mary massifs, as well as the Gliziou and Puy Griou. Update 2025: see practical information

Puy de l'Usclade is little known, but offers a beautiful view of Puy Griou and the other surrounding peaks. The first part of the walk, up to Col de Gliziou, is easy and shaded, and fairly busy, while the second part is less frequented and ends with a steeper section.

This is a fairly easy short hike to a beautiful promontory offering a panoramic view of the main Monts du Cantal and the Jordanne and Cère valleys.

Starting from the Col du Pertus, climb quickly to the heights for a long walk along the ridge, which offers beautiful views. Then discover a few villages in the Jordanne valley before climbing back up to the pass through the pastures.The Visorando app is useful for following this route at the end of the walk.

This beautiful route, starting from the Col de Font de Cère, crosses the pastures of the Cantal and passes successively through the Puy de Griou, the Puy de Bataillouse and, finally, the Téton de Vénus.Throughout this hike, the 360° panoramic views allow you to observe the beautiful mountainous countryside of the Monts du Cantal.

This beautiful route, starting from the Col de Font de Cère, crosses the pastures of the Cantal, passing successively through the Col de Rombière and the Puy de Peyre Arse, ending at the Puy Mary, the second highest peak in the Cantal, via the iconic Brèche de Rolland, a slightly technical passage. Those who are prone to vertigo should take care on this section. Throughout this hike, the 360° panoramic views allow you to admire the beautiful mountainous countryside of the Monts du Cantal.

A short route to a legendary summit, offering beautiful panoramic views of the Puy mountains in the Cantal region.

The tour of the Font d'Alagnon cirque, passing by two peaks, is the programme for this walk above the small resort of Le Lioran, which offers beautiful panoramic views of the Cantal volcanic massif.

The summit of Puy Griou has a characteristic cone shape and can be seen from afar. Located in the heart of the Cantalian volcano, it offers a superb panorama. The proposed route, which is fairly short, has the advantage of avoiding the Super Lioran ski resort facilities.

Fond d'Alagnon will be the starting point for your hike. Follow the ridge towards Puy Griou, passing by Bec de l'Aigle and Téton de Vénus. Along the way, you will enjoy numerous views of Plomb Cantal, Puy Mary, Peyre Arse and many other peaks.

Starting from the chapel dedicated to Puy Griou, a circular route allows you to discover this unmissable summit of the Cantal volcano, crossing forests, summer pastures and hamlets on the slopes of the Cère valley.

A short walk above the Font d’Alagnon valley, in the family-friendly resort of Lioran-Laveissière. Beautiful views on either side of the Col de Rombière, and the more adventurous can climb Puy Griou. At the end of summer, you can even pick a few blueberries on the sunny slopes.

A circular walk around Puy Griou, taking in rural heritage, beech forests, mountain pastures, a buron (traditional dairy hut), scree slopes, peaks and views over the surrounding valleys. A very beautiful walk on one of the area’s most famous puys.

After a steep climb at the start, the Puy Griou, the central cone of the Cantal mountains, offers a magnificent panoramic view. The route then becomes easier and, alternating between slight ascents and descents, offers different views of this distinctive dome. The Puy de l'Usclade is a must-see due to its strategic position. It offers a view to the north of the various puys and also of the Jordanne valley.

A circular route in the village of Trizac, before setting off to explore the Bois du Fayet, where the Marilhou stream flows.

In Trizac, this walk invites you to discover a remarkable religious heritage amidst the landscapes of the Auvergne Volcanoes. Between the Romanesque church of Saint-Beauzire and the mountain chapels of Lieuchy and La Chassagne, the route traces the spiritual and rural history of Haute-Auvergne. It is a trail combining nature, architecture and local traditions, in an authentic and peaceful setting.

The Montagnoune (little mountain) walk invites you to discover the authentic landscapes around Trizac, with paths crossed by streams, peaceful meadows and typical Haut Cantal farmhouses. Along the route, panoramic views open up onto the knoll of Suc, the majestic Chaîne des Puys and the Puy de Sancy, offering an immersion in unspoilt nature and vast volcanic landscapes.

Starting from Trizac, this hike through the Planèze offers a magnificent immersion in the heart of the Cantal’s wide open spaces. The trails cross vast high-altitude meadows dotted with traditional burons (the Grand Cayrou), in a peaceful and authentic atmosphere. Throughout the route, the views are exceptional: a vista of the knoll of Rond, the Auvergne volcanic range and, in the distance, the majestic Puy de Sancy. Amidst wild nature, shifting light and endless horizons, this walk invites you to fully enjoy the beauty of the Auvergne mountains. But this mountain trail is also linked to one of the area’s best-known legends: that of the White Queen. According to popular tradition, a mysterious lady dressed in white is said to appear from time to time on the heights, in the mountain mists or on nights when the moon is full.

Set off to explore the Planèze de Trizac, a wild landscape where volcanoes, mountain pastures and traditions shape unique scenery. Throughout the hike, nature here tells a true mountain story. Amidst the high-altitude meadows, the majestic yellow gentian appears, the emblem of the Auvergne mountains. With its tall stems and vibrant flowers, it colours the pastures and evokes the ancestral expertise linked to the famous gentian liqueur. A highlight of the route, the knoll of Rond offers an exceptional panorama of the peaks of the volcanic range and the Sancy massif. This iconic volcanic landscape overlooks the mountain pastures where herds graze in summer, harmoniously blending nature, history and mountain traditions.

Suitable for all, this walk starting from Trizac invites you to enjoy a peaceful exploration of the vast landscapes of the Haut Cantal. The route crosses meadows and paths through unspoilt countryside, accompanied by the song of larks, with magnificent views of the Knoll de Rond, the Chaîne des Puys and the Puy de Sancy. A rejuvenating walk to enjoy the peace and quiet, the fresh air and the beauty of the volcanic landscapes.

A lovely walk starting from the hamlet of Les Gardes with beautiful views of the Cantal massif. A gentle, steady climb up to the Plomb du Cantal. A route along the ridges followed by a descent into the Ferval valley. The walk passes through mountain pastures; watch out for cows present from May through to autumn.

A lovely route starting from the hamlet of Les Gardes with beautiful views of the Arpon du Diable, the cable car arrival point and the Plomb du Cantal. The route passes through the summer pastures and above the Lioran resort. Watch out for cows in summer and autumn.