Le Vernet-Sainte-Marguerite walks

A beautiful climb through undergrowth from Mareuge, on the heights of the upper Monne valley, a stream that rises from the Puys de Baladou and Védrine brooks. From the heights, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the Monts Dore, the Chaîne and the Plateau des Puys. Traditional architecture and heritage in the villages of Mareuge and Pessade.

On the heights of Murol and Lac Chambon, discover the Rajat caves, Murol Castle, the Cirque and the Dent du Marais, as well as the villages of Chautignat and Beaune-le-Froid.

North of Saint-Nectaire, the Plateau de Sailles offers beautiful views of Murol and the Couze Chambon valley. You will discover an ancient troglodyte settlement and some of the megaliths that dot the area around the village, known for its beautiful Romanesque church and cheese.

A circuit that forms a figure of 8 around Lac Chambon, with panoramic views of the lake and the Sancy range, the Valley of Chaudefour and a section through Murol via its castle.

A very beautiful and varied hike, between 1,300 and 1,500 metres, which can be done in half a day in the mid-mountains (pastures, forests, peaks). Superb 360° panorama of the Sancy mountains and the Dômes chain. Good paths. Bring a map or GPS, essential for the return journey through the forest.

An easy hike with one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the region, overlooking both the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy Massif. Between May and October, sheep graze on these puys, much to the delight of young and old alike!

This is an easy hike that allows you to explore the Puy de Vichatel, whose crater is the second deepest in the Chaîne des Puys. You are allowed to go down inside! From the summit, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the other puys further south, Lake Aydat and the Sancy massif.

An easy and enjoyable hike on this little-visited volcano. Despite the path being in the woods, there are several viewpoints offering views of both the other volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy massif. A good option for hot days.

A charming walk around the lake with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding hills and modern buildings that blend in perfectly with the setting.

A return route to Mont Dore, taking care to avoid the same paths as the previous day.

A hike on a volcanic plateau with views of the Chaîne des Puys, a world of stones and pastures; a few isolated villages, cows and a glimpse of the civilisation of the Arverni (Gauls of Auvergne) through standing stones and dolmens. A magnificent walk in all seasons.

For anyone from Auvergne, the Col de la Croix Morand is inextricably linked to Jean-Louis Murat, who sang about it better than anyone else (and who was also the only one to do so!). Starting from the pass and heading south, you walk along the ridges and cross a few puys in a magnificent setting of wide open spaces and panoramic views of the volcanic Auvergne, witha"deep feeling" of freedom.

Discover the Chaudefour Valley, located in the nature park of the same name.

A loop on the Plateau de Dôme, starting from Vernines and passing through several hamlets where the inhabitants have preserved the traditional way of life, with fountains, wash houses, blacksmith's forges and communal ovens. A few sections on small roads at the end of the route, which are very quiet and offer unobstructed views of the Chaîne des Puys.

This large loop around the Maison du Parc des Volcans will take you past fourteen puys, some small and discreet, others more imposing and some very well known and popular. Set off to discover the puys of Vichatel, Charmont, La Toupe, Boursoux, La Combegrasse, La Rodde, L'Enfer, Montchal, Montgy, Montjuger, Pourcharet, Montreillet, Lassolas and La Vache. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or at the Col de la Ventouse car park (2)

From the Chaîne des Puys, descend through pastures and valleys in the Gorce stream valley. Beautiful views of the Sancy Massif and the Chaîne des Puys. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or start from Nébouzat (11)

A tour of the small Étang de Montlosier, passing three puys: Puy de Lassolas, Puy de la Vache and Puy de Vichatel. Magnificent views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy.

The Randanne stream and the pond it feeds are inextricably linked to the work of the Comte de Montlosier on an estate where he radically altered the landscape. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or in a small space near (15), or in Aurières (9), near the cemetery, just a short distance from the circuit

A short loop to discover some aspects of the landscape improvements made by the Comte de Montlosier at the end of the 18th century to promote agriculture in a volcanic area that was not very suitable for this activity. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or in a small area near (3)

A loop through woods and meadows at the foot of the puys, passing by the viewpoint at the Chapelle de Recoleine. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road.

On the western side of the Chaîne des Puys, this fairly easy walk offers varied landscapes. On the Plateau des Dôme, there are wide agricultural areas around Aurières, interspersed with the Gigeole and Gorce valleys. At the foot of the Puy de Pourcharet, Montjuger and Montchal, there are large summer pastures and forests. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road. There is also a large car park at the entrance to Aurières, near the cemetery (4)

A short circuit that can also complement another hike. This route is in the woods, flat, and on well-maintained trails.

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

A wander among the underbrush along the Couze Pavin, from bank to bank, flowing in cascades.

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

A beautiful round-trip hike to explore the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley, passing by its three waterfalls. The trail is not very difficult and the elevation gain is reasonable. You will find plenty of signs and markings along the way.

The very secretive and beautiful Chaudefour valley is a classified natural site, closed up by the steep contours of a glacial cirque. Peaks, needles, plumbs are as many natural defences for an intact and preserved valley.

Starting from the Le Clos hotel in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise, this loop takes you around Lac Pavin using the discovery trail and theGR®30.

Hike in the Auvergne Volcanoes Park, starting from Besse (located an hour's drive south of Clermont-Ferrand). The discovery trail starting from the Hôtel le Clos combines wooded areas and open countryside, passing by Lake Pavin and Lake Montcineyre (swimming is prohibited in both). The trail is very well marked throughout (markings and signs).

Nadaillat and Rouillat Haut are ancient hamlets typical of the Montagne de la Serre. This short loop follows pleasant paths, often lined with low stone walls, through terraced plots that were once farmed. Along the paths, you will also discover numerous fountains and small stone shepherds' shelters, known as "courtas". The hamlet of Rouillat Haut is distinguished by its beautiful enamelled lava street signs.

On the Montagne de la Serre, the inhabitants have exploited every inch of land for livestock farming, surrounding their small pastures or pailhas with dry stone walls that provide shelter for shepherds in bad weather. On the slopes, there are also rocky outcrops such as the Chaos de Flore, on the banks of the Auzon, in the centre of which a beautiful dolmen has been built.

From Fontfreyde, walk along the solidified lava flow of the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas in the undergrowth, then climb to the summit of the Puy de Vichatel before crossing the Domaine de Montlosier. Finally, take a detour to the old quarry of the adventitious crater of the Puy de la Vache

Relatively easy access to the summit of the Massif Central, which offers spectacular views. Please note that to reach the starting point of this circuit, you will need to take the Super-Besse cable cars, which are subject to a charge.