Puy de Montchal via Lake Pavin and Creux de Soucy

To get to the starting point, from Besse and Saint-Anastaise, follow the D149 and, at the top of the hill, join the Espace Nordique Sancy. Cross it and continue on the small road to a small car park at the Chandèze Forest Section.

(S/E) Take the path that descends opposite the car park, walk along the left-hand side of Lac des Estivendoux (peat bog) and continue through the mountain pasture until you reach the tarmac road. Turn left and you will soon come to a viewpoint overlooking the lake, opposite a memorial stone.

(1) Continue along the path that runs alongside the road on your right. Turn left at the first fork and continue to the next fork.

(2) Continue left and follow the wide path to the next fork, enjoying the magnificent views of Lac Pavin.

(3) Continue on a round trip opposite, reaching the beach and restaurant at the entrance to the lake.

(4) Return to the previous fork.

(3) Turn right, uphill into a beautiful beech forest, and arrive at a track.

(5) Follow it to the right and, at the end of the climb, continue on the wide path to the left until you reach a clearing.

(6) Climb the path on the left. Almost at the top, walk a few metres to the right and arrive at the Puy de Montchal viewpoint.

(7) Turn around, ignore the uphill path and continue straight ahead on a slight descent. You will reach a flat area with a four-way fork.

(8) Turn right, descend into the crater and, after climbing the slope on the opposite side, descend to the left until you reach the next fork.

(9) Take a sharp right turn, ignore a wide path on the left and continue straight ahead. After two sharp turns, left then right, you will reach a track suitable for vehicles. Follow it to the left for about a hundred metres and you will reach a starting point on the right.

(10) Follow the grassy track to the right, join a three-way junction and make a first turn left then right before reaching the tarmac.

(11) Continue downhill to the right and arrive at a path on the left, in the left-hand bend of the road.

(12) Take the small path that leads to the Creux de Soucy chasm (protected by a metal gate in August 2024) and walk around it.

(12) Back on the road, continue along it to the left for a few metres, then take the path on the left. Follow it straight ahead until you reach a T-junction.

(13) Turn left and, at the three-way junction that follows, turn right.

(14) At the edge of the forest, cross a road and continue along the edge until you reach the viewpoint over Lake Pavin.

(1) Follow the same route back to the car park at the Chandèze Forest Section (S/E).

Lac Pavin is very popular, so if you want to avoid the crowds, set off early.
In winter, walking around Lake Pavin can be dangerous due to black ice.

Apart from the short climb before the summit of Puy de Monchal, the route is easy to follow.

Creux de Soucy.
The medieval town of Besse and Saint-Anastaise.
Super Besse.
Lake Bourdouze.
Lake Montcineyre.