The Puy de Sancy via the Courre Valley

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The walk starts in a beautiful, somewhat wild valley, although it is close to a ski resort. The section along the ridge, which is sometimes quite exposed (with chains), is interesting and offers unobstructed views of the valley and the mountains. Reaching the summit via wooden steps (far too busy… even on weekdays) spoils the mountain atmosphere; fortunately, the snow and frost make up for it thanks to a cold snap in mid-October.
The summit is a must for the views… of course, avoid the period when the cable car is running (what a nightmare!!!!!). For the return journey, forget about doing the circular route as it’s a right slog along the ski runs – yuck!!! – and that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth after this hike.

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Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I agree with the previous reviews: what a magnificent walk up to the summit via the Val de Courre! What a dreadful descent along bare, worn and stony slopes. What a shame that the municipality of Mont-Dore or the Sancy Regional Nature Park can’t find a more interesting route for walkers (do skiers bring in more revenue for the local coffers? So do the slopes take priority?).
Alternatively, why not consider a circular route starting from Chastreix?

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Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike undertaken on Sunday 13 September 2026 (in glorious weather). A magnificent hike to the summit of the Puy de Sancy.
The return journey from Puy de Sancy to the resort was tedious and uninteresting (via the ski runs). We regret not having retraced our steps along the same route back to the resort.
Quite a few people out and about, but it was a very sunny Sunday.
We recommend this walk.

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Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this hike, setting off along the ski runs from the Mont Dore resort and then returning via the Val de Courre. The descent through the valley is perhaps a little more ‘comfortable’.
There are two sections near Puy Redon that are a bit technical.
The walk is very enjoyable and offers some magnificent scenery.
Please note that at this time of year, some sections (short and few in number) are closed, and the resort at the top of the cable car is also closed.
There’s a splendid view from the summit after climbing the 860 steps.

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Date of your route : Aug 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The classic Sancy hike. Setting off in the morning, we spotted chamois and marmots on the flat stretch of the Val de Courre. After that, the slope gets considerably steeper. The only downside is the crowds at the summit. The descent isn’t particularly interesting, apart from the fact that it ends at the confluence of the Dore and the Dogne, which is considered to be the source of the Dordogne.

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Date of your route : Aug 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb up to the Puy de Sancy is magnificent and very well signposted. We were disappointed by the descent, which took us down onto the ski runs where the slopes are steep and the stones roll. In fact, the routes suggested by Visiorando are closed and have been diverted. Only the very end, at the source of the Dordogne, makes the descent worthwhile. Otherwise, the climb and the summit are definitely worth the trip.

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, though it does require a good level of fitness, especially for the climb. Be sure to look out for and follow the sign at the end of the resort marked ‘Tour du Plomb du Cantal’ – the walk starts in the shaded woods; otherwise, you’ll end up climbing up the ski runs, which is a bit shorter but less pleasant. The elevation gain is quite steep in places, but the hardest bit is after the Buron des Gardes. Once you reach the top, a stunning view awaits you, although it can get quite busy due to the cable car rides.
The descent via the GR400 is spectacular; there are two sections with ladders set into the rock – the first near the Puy du Rocher and the second before the Aiguillon. But these aren’t vertiginous sections, and with a bit of care and three points of support, you can get through them quite easily. There are only three or four rungs, and once you’ve got a grip on the first one, the rest is plain sailing.

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Date of your route : Aug 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route, but one that requires a reasonable level of fitness and, ideally, good walking shoes, as some of the downhill sections can be tricky due to the stones and pebbles.

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Date of your route : Jul 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A brilliant hike with stunning views.

There are some technical sections that may be difficult for those who suffer from vertigo.

Please note that it gets very busy at the summit of Puy de Sancy.

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

On the suggested route, the climb up to the Puy de Sancy is fabulous. As we set off early, we spotted chamois and marmots and reached the Puy before the tourists coming up by cable car.
However, on the way down, some paths were closed and we had to take a very steep ski-lift track for a descent. These paths are closed due to the “mountain being fragile” and, unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that it is winter tourism that has made this mountain so fragile. The descent is therefore of very little interest, apart from the final section through the forest with the stop at the springs.
Please note that on the ascent, some sections are steep but are always well signposted and pleasant.
I completed this hike with my 9- and 11-year-old children without any particular difficulty. They loved it.

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Date of your route : Jun 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very lovely route, with a splendid 360° view from the summit. We carried on with a round trip to Puy Ferrand and La Perdrix, and did the same to the Col de Couhais. This allowed us to see some other viewpoints. No difficulty at all.
We were lucky enough to spot three chamois, and whilst we were having our picnic, another chamois walked past us just 15 metres away; it stopped when it saw us, then calmly walked off… Absolutely magical.

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s a must-see in the volcanic range; in three hours, you can reach the summit and enjoy a 360° view. It was splendid, with perfect weather; there were quite a few people out and about for a June outside the school holidays, but then again, it was a Saturday. You’ll need a windbreaker when you get near the top, and you shouldn’t be put off by the swarms of flying insects on the final stretch...

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Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk to do in fine weather
We didn’t encounter any difficulties, though it was quite busy on the last stretch, but the view is magnificent

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Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk; the first section through the nature reserve is stunning, with a herd of chamois close by, a lovely climb and beautiful views... Then you come across the cable car station and there are more people on the way up to the summit, which is equipped with steps, but the mountain is open to everyone; the descent down the blue run is no problem; on arrival at the station, the crossing over the little river is the source of the Dordogne

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Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views under the autumn sun. Some difficulty finding the right path at the start and end of the hike. The car park is now pay-and-display until the end of October.

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