Le Puy Pariou from the Goules car park

An easy hike up Puy Pariou and down into its crater. A very pleasant forest at the start and end of the route, with beautiful views of Puy de Dôme on the way back.

(3) It is forbidden to descend into the volcano or go all the way round it.

Details

2012490
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.47 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 263 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 258 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,189 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 966 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the bottom of the Goules car park.

(S/E) Cross the D941 at the pedestrian crossing. Turn right, walk along the road and then turn left.

(1) At the first crossroads, turn right. Cross the access track to the shooting range and continue along the path that is regularly signposted "Pariou, chemin nord". The whole way is through a forest on a wide path.

(2) Just after the high-voltage line, take the left-hand path at a fork. Climb up, take a wide right-hand bend and reach the lip of the crater. Continue to the right for around fifty metres.

(3) Descend to the left into the crater. The steps are high and the path is stony, but they are passable even for children. Go back up the same way.

(3) Turn right and follow the lip of the crater for around 400m.

(4) Go down a long flight of steps to the left. Reach the base of the volcano on its southern slope.

(5) Turn left towards the Les Goules car park. This part of the path is wide, steep and grassy.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left to walk along the east side of Pariou. Ignore the starts on the right. At the fork in the road above the high-voltage power line, continue straight ahead (left-hand path).

(1) Bend right. Cross the D941 again and return to the start car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 977 m - Parking des Goules
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 978 m - Carrefour de la boucle
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 1,022 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 2.65 - alt. 1,165 m - Puy Pariou
  5. 4 : km 3.59 - alt. 1,189 m - Wooden staircase
  6. 5 : km 4.12 - alt. 1,085 m - Collar
  7. 6 : km 4.79 - alt. 978 m - Cross
  8. S/E : km 6.47 - alt. 977 m - Parking des Goules

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 115 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 25595027

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well-marked route with beautiful views at the summit. A must-see in the Chaîne des Puys.

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AVFan
AVFan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Magnificent and very pleasant hike. Beautiful view of Clermont-Ferrand at the top, the Puy de Dôme opposite, and we are at the edge of the volcano. Thank you to the trailblazers!

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RandonEure06
RandonEure06

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Beautiful hike, often through woodland

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LMARCEL
LMARCEL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Well marked. Exceptional panoramic views. However, avoid visiting during very hot weather.

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User 14636520

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful, shaded path before arriving at Puy Pariou, with magnificent views from the top.
A lovely walk, with the Cliersou caves if you continue for another hour there and back.

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User 27396950

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely route that starts in the woods
The stairs are a bonus for enjoying the view on the way down.
The trail starts at 9 a.m

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ChapieChapo71
ChapieChapo71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike where you can admire the Puy de Dôme. Walking around the crater of the Puy des Goules is really enjoyable. The reward comes after you've made it up the steep climb.
The Puy Pariou was less difficult to climb for me.
I followed this up with the Cliersou caves and the Puy de Cliersou. A little more challenging, but the view is well worth the effort.
I highly recommend this hike.

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User 18677838

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route, shaded on the way back, could be considered in the opposite direction to be in the shade on the way back.

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Shaodir
Shaodir

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty, shaded hike. The 360° view from the summit is remarkable. During our trip, there was a strong wind and we had a little trouble staying upright, but feeling the force of the elements was amazing! The view of the Puy de Dôme is also impressive!

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User 26861504

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful loop trail to reach the summit of this old volcano. The directions are very clear and the trail is well marked. We climbed up through the forest and descended via the steps.
The view from the summit is magnificent. We would have liked to have gone down into the crater, but it is protected due to erosion and is currently being replanted.

I would definitely recommend this loop.

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User 3587898

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Unable to use the app; there is no network connection. Make sure you have an IGN map

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fransand
fransand

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is accurate and this hike is a classic in the area.
Thanks for sharing

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Manue rando
Manue rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 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 that we combined with a visit to the Cliersou caves

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Michel lacroix
Michel lacroix

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike!

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Gisèle 94
Gisèle 94

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A must-see in the region.
Easy climb thanks to the shaded path.
The descent is via a very well-designed staircase.

From point 5, you can go to Puy de Cliersou.
2 km round trip / 120 m elevation gain
Curious man-made caves
Beautiful view from the top
Very easy path in the first part, a little "challenging" towards the end.

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