Picherande walks

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 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).

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.

From Chareire, you will begin the ascent of Puy de Sancy (alt. 1,883 m), the highest point of the Massif Central, passing via the Col du Couhay and the Cabane, before descending towards the Mont-Dore resort via the Val de Courre.

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.

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

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 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.

A small mountain village, Chastreix and its 12th-century Saint-Bonnet church, listed as a historic monument. The association Chemins et patrimoine aux pays des Toupis works to promote the local heritage and hiking trails.

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

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 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.

A circular route mostly through forest, passing by the summit of Puy de Montchal, which offers a view to the west, followed by a return trip through meadows and peat bogs to Lac de Montcineyre.The Visorando app is recommended for the forest section.

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.

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 hike for the whole family (but suitable footwear is essential) which, from the summit of Puy de Sancy, will take you along the ridges to the Grande Cascade. A challenging route alternating between ascents and descents, offering stunning 360° views as far as Puy de Dôme, Puy Mary and well beyond, weather permitting.

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

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

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.

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 very beautiful hike in a conservation area.

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 lovely walk that partly follows theGR®®30along a wooded path with little elevation gain. Beautiful views over the various lakes – Crégut, Tact, Laspialade and Taurons – and towards the Monts du Sancy.

A 4-day hike staying in stopover lodges, so you can sleep in the warmth every night The route takes you along the GR®4 and GR®30 trails through the Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve and the Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve, where you’ll discover the highest peaks of the Massif Central and magnificent waterfalls, with a short break to relax at Lac Chambon.

You will pass through the ridges, the Puy des Crebasses (alt. 1,762 m), the Roc de Cuzeau (alt. 1,737 m) and the Puy de l'Angle (alt. 1,740 m), with an optional detour via the Grande Cascade, all with views of the resort and the magnificent Chaudefour Valley.

A trip to highest point of the Massif Central.

Departure from Chalet ECIR in Mont Dore resort to reach Relais Voissières in...Voissières. Pass through the ridges along the Chaudefour valley. The climb up Sancy can be difficult, but the rest is very easy.

Discover Mont-Dore and its Val de Courre. After a walk in Les Longes, you will discover the resort of Mont-Dore. Then you will discover the magic of the Val de Courre and its mineral side: you will feel completely transported. And what can we say about the Col de Courre and its extraordinary views? This route passes through nature reserves. See restrictions in Practical Information.

A pleasant route starting from the Chaudefour Valley, offering the chance to explore the woods of Audiouze and Sarrevielle.

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.

An easy, family-friendly round-trip hike to admire the Cascade de la Biche, some thirty metres high, which flows over a volcanic rock formation formed by the solidification of a lava flow. In a wild and spectacular setting, the water cascades down superb basalt columns. Starting from the Maison de la Réserve, the route climbs gently up the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley before ascending through the woodland towards the waterfall. This secret and magnificent valley is a listed natural site, enclosed by the steep slopes of a glacial cirque. The path is shaded, sometimes muddy, with a few small streams to cross. To reach the foot of the waterfall, the final section becomes steeper and rockier.

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.

As you pass a beech or spruce tree over a hundred years old, you may be lucky enough to spot wild boar, roe deer or other large animals. Discretion is essential.

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