Pailherols walks

The Montagnes are isolated burons (shepherd's huts) on the Carladès summer pastures. This easy walk offers views of the typical landscapes of this Auvergne high plateau.

A beautiful walk along a ridge above a lush green valley. Superb views over the Cantal plateau. The route generally follows the contour lines, though there are still a few steep ascents and descents.

A discovery walk through the old centre of Vic-sur-Cère, up the Iraliot to the Trou de la Conche waterfall, extended by a circular route along the Bras de la Cère to discover a forgotten mineral water spring.

A short walk along a steep path that climbs sharply to the Rocher de Maisonne with its cross. This spot offers a superb view of the town of Vic-sur-Cère and the Cère valley, and the detour to the Trou de la Conche waterfall provides a refreshing haven.

From Vic-sur-Cère, climb up to the Coyan Plateau, passing several viewpoints: over Vic and the Cère valley, then over the plateau and the more distant mountain ranges. The route passes by the Rocher de Saint-Curiat, an ancient hermitage, and the Grotte des Anglais, a former shelter for Huguenots. In 2023, the trail between (8) and (2) via the Grotte des Anglais is closed due to rockfall. Until further notice, it is still possible to make a round trip to (7) or (8).

A beautiful walk along the Cantalian ridges. Open landscapes and magnificent views. To be done in good weather.

A walk in the mountains among cows and typical Cantal landscapes. Niervèze, a lively mountain village, and the geological curiosity of Chaos de Casteltinet and its impressive Lion's Gate are on the programme. Yellow markings.

Stage3 of theGR®400, clockwise. A fairly peaceful stage with a short climb up the Elancèze, offering a stunning view of the peaks and the previous day’s route.

This hike allows you to discover "forgotten" places, away from the GR®400, on the section between Puy Gros and Plomb du Cantal. You will discover many restored burons (stone huts), amazing sites and, especially in spring, a rich variety of wild flora and animals with their young. However, this circuit is often off the beaten track, taking you closer to the wildest areas where you are most likely to encounter animals or see rare plants.

From the village of Niervèze, this route, mainly along summer pasture paths, takes you to the summit of Puy Gros and its plateau, passing close to magnificent restored burons (private) and the old Chapelle du Cantal, of which only a few ruins and a basalt cross remain.There is a magnificent view over the Cère valley and the main peaks: Puy Chavaroche, Puy Mary, Puy Griou, Peyre Arse, Téton de Vénus and Rocher du Bec de l’Aigle.

This route takes you to one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Cantal. The Faillitoux waterfall, with a drop of around 40 metres, flows over a lava flow with basalt columns at the foot of the waterfall. The pretty hamlet of Lasmolineries, with its renovated bread oven, is also worth a visit.

This hike, leading from the Thérondels plateau to the wooded slopes of the Truyère, offers a bird's eye view of the narrow "fjord" formed by the Sarrans Lake reservoir. The Laussac peninsula and its splendid chapel are one of the most iconic sites in Carladez, north of Aveyron.

Waterfalls, undergrowth, stream, at the bottom of the magnificent Brezons valley. Forests and pastures, magnificent Cantal landscapes; old stone burons, summer pastures, view of the Plomb du Cantal peaks. Three options: easy (40 mins), medium (1 hr 30 mins), complete (3 hrs 30 mins). Well-designed facilities to make the most of the beauty of the site without spoiling it.

An interesting low-altitude hike above and in the Jordanne valley. Enjoy beautiful green landscapes typical of the Cantal region. Pass through pretty little hamlets with old buildings. Peaceful and natural.

A short but pretty circular route in a secluded valley, with landscapes typical of the Jordanne Valley – green and rolling. Unmarked, but no difficulty in finding your way.

A lovely walk through isolated valleys, typical of the Cantalian mid-mountains. Beautiful trees, beautiful landscapes, peace and greenery. A marked walk with no particular difficulty, if you enjoy paths and hills.

Starting from the Col du Pertus, climb quickly to the heights for a long walk along the ridge, which offers beautiful views. Then discover a few villages in the Jordanne valley before climbing back up to the pass through the pastures.The Visorando app is useful for following this route at the end of the walk.

This is a fairly easy short hike to a beautiful promontory offering a panoramic view of the main Monts du Cantal and the Jordanne and Cère valleys.

Puy de l'Usclade is little known, but offers a beautiful view of Puy Griou and the other surrounding peaks. The first part of the walk, up to Col de Gliziou, is easy and shaded, and fairly busy, while the second part is less frequented and ends with a steeper section.

From the Col du Pertus, discover the village of Mandailles and the hamlets of Larmandie and Liadouze on the banks of the Jordanne. On both the outward and return journeys, gaps in the forest offer beautiful views of the valley, the Chavaroche and Puy Mary massifs, as well as the Gliziou and Puy Griou. Update 2025: see practical information

An easy, shaded approach to this iconic peak in the Monts du Cantal, with its perfect cone shape and superb views. However, the final climb is quite technical and challenging.

A lovely route starting from the hamlet of Les Gardes with beautiful views of the Arpon du Diable, the cable car arrival point and the Plomb du Cantal. The route passes through the summer pastures and above the Lioran resort. Watch out for cows in summer and autumn.

A lovely walk starting from the hamlet of Les Gardes with beautiful views of the Cantal massif. A gentle, steady climb up to the Plomb du Cantal. A route along the ridges followed by a descent into the Ferval valley. The walk passes through mountain pastures; watch out for cows present from May through to autumn.

A day's walk in magnificent surroundings, using theGR® trails in the area. We are within sight of Puy Chavaroche and Puy Mary.

Stage 5 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400A forest stage (therefore shaded) with two potential climbs: the Puy de l'Usclade and the Puy Griou. * Editor's note: we have also decided not to follow the original GR®400 route, which makes a long detour to the Col de Pertus, which we don't think is worth the effort. We will reach the Col de Gliziou via the PR® (orange and green markings) which climb up the Ruisseau du Luc valley.

A short hike for residents of Mandailles who want to go for a walk without taking the car.

After a steep climb at the start, the Puy Griou, the central cone of the Cantal mountains, offers a magnificent panoramic view. The route then becomes easier and, alternating between slight ascents and descents, offers different views of this distinctive dome. The Puy de l'Usclade is a must-see due to its strategic position. It offers a view to the north of the various puys and also of the Jordanne valley.

A circular walk around Puy Griou, taking in rural heritage, beech forests, mountain pastures, a buron (traditional dairy hut), scree slopes, peaks and views over the surrounding valleys. A very beautiful walk on one of the area’s most famous puys.

Starting from the chapel dedicated to Puy Griou, a circular route allows you to discover this unmissable summit of the Cantal volcano, crossing forests, summer pastures and hamlets on the slopes of the Cère valley.

The summit of Puy Griou has a characteristic cone shape and can be seen from afar. Located in the heart of the Cantalian volcano, it offers a superb panorama. The proposed route, which is fairly short, has the advantage of avoiding the Super Lioran ski resort facilities.

Short hike along the ridges with breathtaking views of the Cantal mountains. You can reach the starting point by taking the cable car from Le Lioran or by following the same route in the opposite direction. After enjoying the view from the highest point in this beautiful department, you will reach the Pas des Alpins by following the GR®4/GR®400 marked trail. You will then climb up to the Puy du Rocher to enjoy another breathtaking view of the Plomb du Cantal and its surroundings. Then you will descend towards the Lioran resort on the ridges. The walk ends in the Lioran forest.Please note: after passing Puy du Rocher, two areas may seem a little difficult for some as they require descending the rock, but aids have been put in place.

A short, fairly easy hike from the Puy Mary campsite in Mandailles, which allows you to walk in the hills east of the village and return via the Gorges de la Jordanne (when the water level allows).

Stage 7 of our Tour du Cantal. This is the final stage of the Tour du Cantal, with another change to the GR®400 route: instead of returning to Murat, we head back to Laveissière (where we left our vehicle, see episode 1). Most of this stage is in the shade, but the descent brings the heat..

The Plateau de la Planèze starting from Prat de Bouc. N.B. Following the route with the Visorando app can be very useful in the forest due to the numerous trail intersections encountered.

The highest peak in Europe's largest volcanic complex, the Plomb du Cantal (1,855 m) offers unobstructed views of the Monts-Dore (Puy-de-Sancy) to the north and the Cézallier and Aubrac plateaus to the south.

Its height of 1855 metres make Plomb du Cantal the second highest peak in the Massif Central after the Puy de Sancy. Starting from the Col de Prat de Bouc, this hike initially leads to the summit ascent and descent on the northern slope, followed by a climb up the slopes of the Puy du Rocher before returning to Prat de Bouc.

Hike on one of the must-see sites in Cantal, preferably outside the tourist season, when the Lioran chairlifts are not in operation. After the tranquillity of the summer pastures on the Prés Marty, the Plomb du Cantal reveals superb landscapes. A return trip along the ridge to the Chapelle du Cantal allows you to make the most of these heights.

A partially shaded hike in the Lagnon valley offering views of two waterfalls.

This beautiful route, starting from the Col de Font de Cère, crosses the pastures of the Cantal and passes successively through the Puy de Griou, the Puy de Bataillouse and, finally, the Téton de Vénus.Throughout this hike, the 360° panoramic views allow you to observe the beautiful mountainous countryside of the Monts du Cantal.

This beautiful route, starting from the Col de Font de Cère, crosses the pastures of the Cantal, passing successively through the Col de Rombière and the Puy de Peyre Arse, ending at the Puy Mary, the second highest peak in the Cantal, via the iconic Brèche de Rolland, a slightly technical passage. Those who are prone to vertigo should take care on this section. Throughout this hike, the 360° panoramic views allow you to admire the beautiful mountainous countryside of the Monts du Cantal.

A short route to a legendary summit, offering beautiful panoramic views of the Puy mountains in the Cantal region.

Stage 6 of our Tour du Cantal. A beautiful climb from the Lioran resort to the Plomb du Cantal, starting with a forest section, then a steep climb to reach the Puy du Rocher via the Aiguillon; cross over to reach the cable car station and a final (moderate) climb to the Plomb du Cantal.Panoramic views in all directions. Discover the landscapes of several valleys as you pass through. It's a feast for the eyes!

The Téton de Vénus is a small, easily accessible peak with excellent views. Its distinctive shape, resembling a woman’s breast, is visible from afar. It offers a 360° view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Visit this peak overlooking Super Lioran, avoiding climbing (or descending) the ski slopes. This route via theGR®4is remarkable. Attention hikers: the IGN map shows theGR®4on the Alpins ski slope, but theGR® is now further east on a very pleasant path. To avoid this, follow the route described below.

The second stage of my three-day tour of Puy Mary, with an overnight stay in a bivouac. Passing through villages where you can stock up on supplies if necessary

This loop, which starts a few kilometres from Mandaille, will take you to the Col de Cabre and the foot of Puy Griou. With panoramic views of the Cantaliens mountains and forests, this hike, with its varied terrain, is particularly enjoyable in warm weather.

A beautiful, not too difficult walk with magnificent scenery. Ideal for discovering the landscapes of the Cantal.

Round trip above Mandailles, in the vast cirque of Fours de Peyre-Arse and the sources of the Jordanne. Not to be missed: both green and mountainous; magnificent landscapes, moderate difficulty. Climb under the trees, then through the meadows, then walk along an easy ridge path. 360° views in the foreground of the entire Auvergne volcano chain. No difficulty on the route. Marked but regular ascents/descents and a short climb to pass the Brèche de Rolland.

Fond d'Alagnon will be the starting point for your hike. Follow the ridge towards Puy Griou, passing by Bec de l'Aigle and Téton de Vénus. Along the way, you will enjoy numerous views of Plomb Cantal, Puy Mary, Peyre Arse and many other peaks.

The tour of the Font d'Alagnon cirque, passing by two peaks, is the programme for this walk above the small resort of Le Lioran, which offers beautiful panoramic views of the Cantal volcanic massif.

A short walk above the Font d’Alagnon valley, in the family-friendly resort of Lioran-Laveissière. Beautiful views on either side of the Col de Rombière, and the more adventurous can climb Puy Griou. At the end of summer, you can even pick a few blueberries on the sunny slopes.

An extraordinary ridge route allowing you to visit three peaks and enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the entire Cantalian puys for much of the route.

Discover Peyrarque, Brieu Beach and the view of the Laussac Peninsula.

A route taking in the carriage driving school and the Mourgues and Mas crosses

Stage 2 of our Tour du Cantal / GR®400. A long and challenging stage due to the heat in June. It might be better to split the stages differently. Some very beautiful sections, particularly the arrival on the ridge before Puy Mary, the area around Puy de la Tourte, etc. More difficult sections: the Brèche de Rolland, the Luchard plateau and the long descent to Falgoux. It should be noted that the ascent of Puy Mary is not compulsory.

This trail will introduce you to the burons, typical Aubrac buildings once used during the summer grazing season. At the Bagpipe Museum, you can discover the history of the cabrette and the world'slargest collection of bagpipes. Along the way, you can admire the Plomb du Cantal, the Puy Mary, the church of Vines and its Stations of the Cross, as well as an exceptional view of Lake Sarrans.

In the heart of the Cantal, this circular route reveals a landscape where nature and heritage blend at every step. From Les Havres Verts, the route descends towards Le Rieu before following the Doire along its shaded banks. The path climbs through the forest and, from an isolated barn, offers a beautiful view of the valley. You then pass through quiet hamlets (La Blatte, Labastide, Soulage) that bear witness to a preserved rural way of life. At La Blatte, an old castle invites you to take a break. Its owner, who is there in spring and summer, is happy to act as a guardian of the site’s history. The route reaches its highest point at Girgols, a charming village where the church and the old wash house are well worth a stop. The return route takes you across the plateau and through the forest, with a stop at the Blatte waterfall (more lively in spring than in summer). You then head for the banks of the Doire to make a leisurely return to the start. An accessible, varied and authentic walk, ideal for discovering the Cantal off the beaten track.

This route is ideal in hot weather. You will enjoy the coolness near the waterfalls and especially in the forest. In spring and autumn, this route will undoubtedly allow you to discover the wild flora and fauna in the Cirque. You will leave the coolness behind at the Col de la Molède, just long enough to descend towards Albepierre. ⚠️ At the point (3) , the hamlet of Raveyrol is replaced by Buron de Joaniol haut. This is a naming error on the IGN map.

This route invites you to discover the pretty village of Albepierre-Bredons and explore the Pays de Murat national forest, which is home to many remarkable trees. In the cool woods, the Prés Long, Vergnes and Prapsou waterfalls are the main attractions of this shaded route. Route not accessible from December to April due to snow.

A route starting from a charming village that takes you to three waterfalls. The Cascade des Vergnes, the uppermost of the three, is only visible from a viewing point. From here, take the opportunity to visit the Roman milestone a few metres further up. The Cascade des Prés Longs, visible from a viewpoint and then from its base, is far more impressive than its neighbours. The Cascade de Prapsou, superb, with a drop of several metres near the village. Ideal spots offering a haven of greenery and coolness.

Les Prés Marty are summer pastures on the slopes of Plomb du Cantal, where beautiful Salers cows graze on lush grass. On the way there, discover three beautiful waterfalls, and on the way back, a renovated buron (shepherd's hut), an oratory and a fourth waterfall. In season, dessert will be provided by the many wild raspberry bushes that line the path.

The Cirque de Chamalière was formed by a glacier that reshaped the landscape after the formation of the Cantal stratovolcano. It is a very pleasant place for summer grazing and, incidentally, for picnics. The small streams that run down its slopes feed into a brook, the Benet. This hike follows the valley of this short brook, a tributary of the Alagnon.