Montgreleix walks

A pleasant loop around the pretty village of Montgreleix, ending at the Orthodox Monastery of the Mother of God Znaménié (open to visitors at certain times) at La Traverse. No technical difficulties and a wide variety of landscapes (pastures typical of the Cézallier region and burons, valleys and small woods, streams and waterfalls, etc.). You may even return with a Saint-Nectaire cheese in your bag...

Almost exclusively on wide paths, this hike around the pretty hamlet of La Godivelle crosses the characteristic landscapes of the Cézallier: pastures as far as the eye can see, the gentle lines of the "Mountains", peatlands, lakes and a few woods. On the way back, you will pass through the Sagnes de la Godivelle Nature Reserve.

A long and magnificent hike in the little Mongolia of Cézallier. Pastures as far as the eye can see, herds of Aubrac and Salers cows, burons (stone huts)... and the Monts du Cantal on the horizon. No technical difficulty, good trails or wide paths that are always well marked, with numerous ladders to cross barriers. The route is circular except for the section between Rascoupet and before Courbières, which is a round trip.

An easy family hike with beautiful views of the Monts Dore (Sancy Massif), the Cantal and, of course, Lake Chauvet.

A circular route mainly through forest and along the shores of Lakes Taurons, Crégut and Tact.

Starting from Picherande, a circular route with varied landscapes, agricultural at the start, then wilder with a visit to the Gayme peat bog, and finally forest.

A beautiful hike in the heights of Cézallier. The route follows a stream, crosses footbridges, beech woods and pastures to discover the Cascade de la Barthe waterfall and Lac Chauvet lake. Note that there is a picnic area at (8).

A day's walk from Picherande allows you to discover the impressive glacial cove of Fontaine Salée, whose pastoral activity is now protected by a nature reserve.

A beautiful hike that partly follows theGR®30along a wooded path with little elevation gain. Beautiful views of the various lakes of Crégut, Tact, Laspialade and Taurons and towards the Monts du Sancy.

The route, mostly through forest, passes by the unmissable Lake Pavin before climbing Puy de Monchal and returning via the only chasm in Auvergne, Creux de Souci.

On the southern flank of Puy de Sancy, the route climbs up the Fontaine Salée watershed and continues to ascend, passing through mountain pastures criss-crossed by streams at the foot of the Gros and Paillaret peaks, before descending into the Ruisseau de Chareire valley. Superb views to the south and west.

This route takes you to Lac du Pêcher, La Roche du Pic, the Frau de Collanges peat bog and Lac de Sauvages. I encountered a wolf in this area in the winter of 2017. Then I forgot about it until early 2025. It then reappeared, attacking livestock multiple times between winter and summer. I tracked it down and know its favourite spots. This does not guarantee that you will see it, but it may increase your chances of an encounter.

This hike takes you to four volcanic lakes: Lac Pavin, which is 92 metres deep and 700 to 800 metres in diameter; Lac de Montcineyre, formerly owned by the Michelin family; Lac de Bourdouze, which is partially covered by peat bog; and finally Lac de l'Estivadoux, which is almost completely dry.

A Grand Tour of the beautiful and mysterious Lac Pavin, passing by the Puy de Montchal and the Creux de Soucy chasm.

An interesting hike due to its diversity: peat bogs, volcanic lakes, chasms and, depending on the season, a few orchids between (6) and (7).

A beautiful walk from the centre of Riom-ès-Montagne, allowing you to discover the Étang de Majonenc. This route alternates between roads and paths, the latter of which are in both moorland and forest, making it a very pleasant route that is largely shaded and offers a variety of landscapes.

A double circular route through the countryside, starting from Riom-ès-Montagne, to discover a pond, a dolmen and basalt columns. See Practical Information for a shorter and less tarmac route (12.7 km).

On the snowshoe routes at the Pertuyzat resort, a very pleasant hike around Lake Pavin. You may be asked to pay €2.50 per person for the right to use the routes, for signposting and maintenance.

A little-known peak in the Massif du Sancy, the Puy de Chambourguet offers a panoramic view of the Super-Besse resort, the Sancy, the Domes, the Pavin, Bourdouze and Chauvet lakes, the entire Massif Cantalien, the Monts du Cézallier and even more if the weather is clear.

A family walk offering beautiful views of the Limon Plateau on the other side of the Santoire Valley.

Access to Puy de Sancy on the way there via the east and north ridges of the Super Besse resort and return via theGR®4. Please note that two vehicles are required for this hike: one at the top of the resort and another at the Lac des Hermines car park.

A superb hike around the Puy de Sancy, with many views of the surrounding area.

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).

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.

A very beautiful route that takes you along the ridges of Sancy and through the medieval villages of Besse and Murol, betweenGR®4andGR®30. This route can be done in stages, staying in hotels or lodges. The addresses where we stopped will be indicated in the stage descriptions.

First stage of a 5-day route. This stage takes you through the mountain pastures to the medieval town of Murol. A very pretty route ending near Lake Chambon.

What a pleasure it is to leave "home" on foot, taking a path through the woods along a beautiful stream to discover one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Auvergne!

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.

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

If you only have one day to spend in Besse and its surroundings, this long hike will take you to the medieval village of Besse, the Couze Pavin, the Fontaine Goyon, the Puy de Montchal and Lac Pavin, a countryside dotted with farms where you can buy Saint-Nectaire cheese, and finally the Chiloza waterfalls.

A very pleasant loop, shaded for much of the way, which allows you to discover the Essarts waterfall, the magnificent Bois de la Masse forest in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve, and beautiful views of the southern slopes of the Sancy.

This loop trail with little elevation gain takes you along beautiful paths through meadows, forests and summer pastures to the heart of the Fontaine Salée glacial cirque, in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve at the foot of the Sancy. Best done in clear weather.

A very varied route, with ridges, forest, a spring and, above all, exceptional views! A wild route with people at the summit of Puy de Sancy but no one else anywhere else.Dogs are not allowed on this hike (even on a lead), located in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve (they are only allowed on a lead on the GR®30).

A trail with informative signs (August 2024) allowing you to discover the Fontaine Salée glacial valley, with views of the south face of Puy de Sancy and Cézallier.

A pleasant, peaceful and easy route to discover a waterfall, with a picnic area and, on the way back, a view of a deer farm.

La Gagne is a pretty river that rises from the confluence of three streams of the same name, upstream from Chastreix. This circular route crosses them several times. Added to this route is a first return trip to the Cascade des Essarts, then a second to the Montagne du Mont, at the foot of the Sancy.

The summit of Rocher de Laqueuille is covered with magnificent moorland, ideal for a picnic. To get there, you will pass close to the pretty Château de la Cheyrelle. On your return, don't miss a visit to the beautiful village of Dienne, which has a remarkable 12th-century church with a bell tower and some very beautiful old houses.

Discover the history of this part of the Cézalier through the archaeological and historical remains that dot this route. Prehistoric rock shelters, tumuli, Merovingian sarcophagi, medieval forest trails, 12th-century churches, a monumental 15th-century cross, a communal oven, a wash house and beautiful old houses.

Hike on the mountain pastures of the Limon Plateau, where beautiful Salers cows graze from May to October. From these heights, you will enjoy beautiful unobstructed views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, in particular the Puy Mary. This circuit follows part of the Sentier des Quirous, remarkable for its ancient stone signposts.Visorando app essential

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.

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.

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

Discover the most beautiful valley in the Massif du Sancy, and perhaps even the most beautiful in Auvergne! Unlike many of the hikes in this area, this one only climbs to the ridge at Puy de Champgourdeix to enjoy a superb view of the upper valley and the surrounding mountains, but does not continue on to Sancy. Instead, I suggest you explore the valley further, with its dykes, waterfalls, forest and beautiful meadows.

A short hike rich in discoveries: the beautiful pagan calvary of Lomprat, the troglodytic site of Jonas, Pic Saint-Pierre topped by its chapel and offering a beautiful panorama of the Couze Pavin valley, not to mention the villages you pass through with their old houses, fountains and wash houses.

The western slope of Puy de Sancy, in the heart of the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve (dogs not allowed). A natural heritage site of great quality where many natural environments are well preserved. The exceptional flora and remarkable fauna thrive on an exceptional geology. The landscapes are magnificent.

A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

A route to discover an exceptional heritage: a Gallic bridge, a shepherd's hut, then you will enter the legend of the Devil's Step. (Information boards are installed with information!) You will also discover a waterfall and, along the way, old drinking troughs that evoke the history of agriculture in the past.

Ascent of the Sancy via the Val de Courre, then descent into the Chaudefour Valley for a return to the resort via the eastern ridges.

A very short walk, with water as its theme, to discover a magical place.

Very pretty waterfall on the Burande stream, just south of La Tour-d'Auvergne. Another beautiful waterfall nearby, see the "Things to see" section.