Le Puy Mary from the Col de Serre

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.

Details

2621231
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 504 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 504 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,778 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,334 m

Description of the walk

Park in the Col de Serre car park.

(S/E) At the southern end of the car park, take the path that leads to the road just next to the car park entrance, heading west. Follow the GR®® signs until otherwise indicated. At a barrier, leave the path and turn left onto a trail that joins the ridge. Continue on this trail in a south-south-west direction.

(1) Shortly after passing a gate, join the road at Burons d'Eylac. Follow it to the right. Further on, cut across a bend in the road via a steep path on the right. Return to the road, follow it to the left for a few metres, then take the path that climbs to the right and immediately turns north to continue in the same direction as the road below.

(2) At an intersection, leave theGR®® markings and follow the green markings to the left . This path quickly moves away from the road, climbing up to join the ridge.

(3) Climb up to the right, following the GR®® markings again, on the maintained path. As it climbs steeply, the path offers superb views of the ridge and the Puy de Peyre Arse. You will arrive at the summit (orientation table... and quite a few people).

(4) Descend via the very busy steps to reach the Pas de Peyrol, which is also very busy.

(5) Keep going in the same direction and cross the crossroads carefully! Take theGR®® marked trail that climbs behind the restaurant. Be careful! Only follow it for a few metres, then leave theGR®® and go through a gate on the right. Follow the fairly inconspicuous trail that crosses a meadow below the road. Go through a fence and you will come out onto the road. Continue along the path opposite and you will come to the intersection you passed on the way there.

(2) Find the GR®® signpost and follow it straight ahead. Then follow the same route as on the way there to reach the Col de Serre (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,334 m - Col de Serre (1331m)
  2. 1 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,415 m - Route on the right. Passage near the source of the - Petite Rhue (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 3.48 - alt. 1,531 m - Start of the circular loop
  4. 3 : km 4.2 - alt. 1,609 m - Turn right on the ridge.
  5. 4 : km 4.7 - alt. 1,778 m - Puy Mary
  6. 5 : km 5.35 - alt. 1,588 m - GR opposite, then to the right
  7. S/E : km 9.69 - alt. 1,334 m - Col de Serre

Notes

Hike of moderate difficulty.

This hike should not be attempted during the high tourist season!

It is possible to shorten this hike by starting from Buron d'Eylac, which avoids the return trip, although it is very pleasant and peaceful.

Worth a visit

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Some photos here

There are some beautiful views, of course, from the ridge and the summit of Puy Mary.

If you have time, once you reach the ridge, you can make a round trip to the left, towards Peyre Arse, and return at your convenience. Please note! If you cross the Brèche de Rolland, you will also have to cross it on the way back...

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 41 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 13888830

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike.
The first part, through the meadows, is easy and pleasant with beautiful scenery.
After that, the climb becomes steeper and more rugged. There are many sections with runoff water, so waterproof shoes are a must.
The last stage before the summit is even steeper and more vertiginous. My 12-year-old daughter loved this section, where you have to use your hands to climb in places. The view is magnificent, and the effort is well rewarded.
The summit and the descent down the stairs to the car park are very busy, even at the end of October...

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AUSTIN
AUSTIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike completed on 12 August 2025. Quite physically demanding, though.
In my opinion, the suggested car park is a bit far from the start of the climb, especially for the return trip. It is possible to find a space along the road to park your car.
Thank you for the route.

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grandin
grandin ★

User 27135971
the route hardly uses the road at all, but rather parallel paths

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User 27135971

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike is easy and offers a beautiful view of the Cantal (on the Saint Flour side). However, part of the return journey is on a tarmac road. The appeal is relative.

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boop59betty
boop59betty

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, which I would classify as moderate+ or even difficult because the elevation gain is concentrated over a short distance, making it tough at times! You sometimes need to use your hands to climb the Puy, and the ropes and other equipment help, but be careful if you're prone to vertigo.
Otherwise, the views are splendid throughout the hike. The passages through the mountain pastures are easy, and the cows seem used to people and don't pay any attention to us.
We took a detour because we missed the green markings and, as we wanted to stay on the "right" path, we retraced our steps: the mark was on a rock on the ground, not on the signpost (the Roland's breach).
Given the time of year, the summit was crowded, as was the stairway on the way down, but the rest of the route was quiet.
The view is incredible, with mountain flowers, marmots and patterns created by the rock... I highly recommend it!
Easy parking at the Serre pass, and there are also shuttle buses in summer.

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User 27070688

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Final climb with the help of your hands. Superb views.

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User 9659947

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Access to the steps of Puy Mary is pleasant via the Col de Serre and not very busy.
After that, it's the motorway, except in bad weather😉

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valvig34
valvig34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good alternative for climbing Puy Mary, but you need to arrive before 10 a.m. in August to find a spot at the Col de la Serre.
Limited parking.

The Pas de Peyrol is crowded almost all day long

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User 8539837

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A relatively challenging but very enjoyable hike with superb views.
We did it in good weather, but be careful if it's hot, as there's no shade.
Wear good walking shoes, which are necessary for much of the route.

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Carabaffe
Carabaffe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning scenery and a very pleasant route. Appropriate equipment is necessary (especially footwear).
However, I would not recommend it for people who suffer from vertigo, like me. Magnificent but challenging!

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jL3412
jL3412

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Taken last Thursday (19/08/2025) under a clear blue sky and bright sunshine, surrounded by beautifully flowered meadows, this walk was a wonderful experience.
The landscapes and horizons of Puy Mary, its twelve valleys and the volcanoes of Cantal are superb, and this route allows you to enjoy them to the full.

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clamed95
clamed95

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike in beautiful sunshine, but after torrential rain.
Many sections (at the start of the climb) were flooded, but we managed to get through them.
The final climb is quite challenging and impressive for those who are a little afraid of heights, but the views are extraordinary.
We came back down by road from the pass (we were afraid of the cows in the field...) and took a path around a bend to watch the marmots below (don't miss them, there's a sign indicating their presence)
Thank you for this superb hike.

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DEMONTI05
DEMONTI05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant and relatively easy hike along a well-marked trail. The final stretch is a little steeper. Beautiful scenery and magnificent views. Quite a few people, but it wasn't too bad. It was nice not to take the large steps on the other side, which are more crowded and quite difficult to climb. Some griffon vultures kept us company for a while. A very nice day.

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Nanou31
Nanou31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike. Beautiful landscapes.
The climb is difficult but worth the effort.
The descent via large steps is much easier.

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cantagrel
cantagrel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I went hiking early in the morning to avoid the crowds (I didn't meet anyone on the way up, just a family of four and a couple at the summit, but there were people climbing up from Pas de Peyrol on my way down).
I particularly enjoyed the climb and the section before the burons d'Eylac for the view of Puy Mary and the Brèche de Roland, but also the section among the horses, both on the way up and on the way back.
I had a little trouble finding the green-marked trail on the way up (point 2), which meant I had to cover a little more distance and elevation.
I'm an "average" hiker (only a few days during my holidays) but I'm fit, and I completed the entire route in 2 hours and 6 minutes without pushing myself too hard.
I recommend doing the route in this direction, as the climb from Pas de Peyrol must be tough!
The view over the valleys is magnificent.

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