Pontgibaud walks

From Pontgibaud and the beautiful medieval architecture of Château Dauphin, you will travel through the mysterious landscapes of the Cheire de Pontgibaud, one of the most beautiful lava flows in the Chaîne des Puys.

A double loop around Saint-Ours-les-Roches to discover the typical hamlets of this region of the Combrailles, at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys.

This route allows you to discover three ancient volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys.

Since 1992, this pleasant walk has invited visitors to stroll among Gilles Perez's monumental contemporary lava stone sculptures, which blend in with the landscape and nature. Additional sculptures have been added over the years.

On this comet-shaped route, discover the solidified lava flow of Côme, a remarkable natural area in the Chaîne des Puys. This lava flow from the Puy de Côme, which stretches for almost 10 km, has solidified into extremely chaotic terrain and has been colonised by a beautiful forest of birch and beech trees. To extend this hike, I suggest you then walk around the Puy de Côme, through the beech forest that covers its slopes.

A hike entirely in the forest, in the unique landscape of the Cheire de Côme. You will be left to your own devices in this mysterious forest, on small unmarked paths for part of the route, wherethe Visorando app is almost essential. The Signed Stone is an enigma, perhaps you can try to solve it.

The hike takes place mainly in the woods that cover the cheire, or solidified lava flow, of the Puy de Côme. In addition to the Bacs de Ceyssat, you will discover many other drinking troughs, fountains and wash houses in the village. There are a few views of the Puy de Dôme and Puy de Côme.

In the village of Ceysat, there are numerous hydraulic structures: ponds, fountains, drinking troughs, wash houses, all made of Volvic stone, and even a mineral water spring!

"Human noise becomes silent, nature makes volcanoes chatter; whispering landscapes, and whispering a thousand voices of silence". Caption of the beautiful sculpture by Thierry Courtadon that you will encounter on your route, alongside with great viewpoints.

This route starts at the Vulcania crossroads and begins with a long, fairly flat, open path before crossing the forest to reach these two magnificent volcanoes. The route can be done in either direction.

The hike takes place mainly in the forest that covers the solidified lava flow of Puy de Côme, but there are some beautiful views on the outskirts of Ceyssat. In the village of Ceyssat, discover the Foker Spring and a rich heritage of water-related buildings: fountains, drinking troughs and wash houses.

Short hike to discover the bacs, which are drinking troughs built on the solidified lava flow of Côme for the sheep that were once raised on these summer pastures. The Bacs de Montmeyre were also a favourite site for the Ardents, Resistance fighters from the Chaîne des Puys. A sign tells their story and a memorial stone has been erected in their memory. The route crosses countryside and forest and allows you to discover the small heritage linked to water in the village of Ceyssat.

The southern loop, to be covered on the first day, is easy going except for its length, which is nearly 27 km. This route passes through numerous hills, beautiful forests and the lovely countryside surrounding the hills. Be careful not to get your feet caught in the strings!

A two-day loop hike with accommodation in a camper van in Allagnat.

After a moderate day's hiking, you are now in the most demanding part of the loop of domes, with magnificent views of the Puy de Côme, the Grand Knoll, the Petit Knoll and the Puy de Dôme. You will pass through beautiful forests of beech, conifer and hazel trees, a feast for the eyes!

On the Plateau des Dômes, at the foot of the volcanoes, walk through the countryside from village to village. Two wonderful surprises await you on this route: the beautiful lime tree in the square in front of Olby church and the Foker Spring in the village of Ceyssat.

A walk from village to village on the Plateau des Dômes, focusing on rural heritage linked to water: fountains, drinking troughs, wash houses, bridges over the Sioule, canals and springs, ending at the remarkable Chez Pierre water catchment site.

This circular loop starting from Allagnat offers a variety of landscapes: forest paths, summer pastures at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, and a valley with numerous streams. Of note: a pretty castle in Allagnat, a memorial site to the Resistance, and some very beautiful beech trees that will delight tree lovers and paréidolia enthusiasts alike.

A walk in the forest along trails, paths and, above all, two magnificent avenues lined with majestic beech trees.

A pleasant and easy hike in the Chaîne des Puys. Magnificent views of the Puy de Dôme can be admired.This hike requires two vehicles.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to falling rocks from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

A hike around the largest dome in the Chaîne des Puys. Views and openings on all sides, surrounded by forests and summer pastures on the Traversin section, the central point of the chain between Puy de Dôme and Puy du Pariou.

The view is just as pleasant at the top of this legendary trail. A longer but more enjoyable and varied climb than the Sentier des Muletiers.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

Just above Clermont-Ferrand, the inescapable climb to Puy-de-Dôme through the col de Ceyssat is a short but intense hike with an astonishing view over Clermont-Ferrand, the chaîne des Puys, paragliders and Millevaches. Caution, it's a very popular walk so be sure to do it during week days for a bit of peace and quiet.

The Sentier des Muletiers, consisting of fifteen numbered bends spread over the 350 m elevation gain leading to the summit of Puy de Dôme, is the ancient path that led pilgrims to the Temple of Mercury. It offers superb panoramic views throughout the ascent, covering the entire 45 km of the Chaîne des Volcans.Warning! Immediate danger – Rockfalls. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

For hot summer days, this route is almost exclusively in the forest, at the foot of the volcanoes, following in the footsteps of the heroes of the Auvergne Resistance. A few crossings of meadows will offer you beautiful views of the Puy de Dôme.

A very pleasant walk in the oldest part of the Chaîne des Puys. The hamlet of Beaunit is nestled in the hollow of a volcanic maar that was occupied by a lake several hundred thousand years ago.

Between steep-sided valleys, unspoilt wilderness and wooded slopes, the Sioule has become a lake thanks to the Fades-Besserve dam. It accompanies us throughout the route with beautiful views of the Sioulet valley and the Combrailles.

A hike through the forest on little-used paths that is easy going too!

A beautiful hike to discover the two neighbouring puys, with a refreshing approach walk. The view from the top is remarkable! Please note: Access to the summits of Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027.

A circular route almost exclusively in the forest, at the foot of the giant Chaîne des Puys, which can be seen on a few open stretches, with a return trip along a superb avenue lined with hundred-year-old beech trees.

Circular loop, starting from Laschamps, which allows you to climb to the summit of Puy de Dôme via the Chemin des Muletiers and descend via the Sentier des Chèvres.In the footsteps of Roman builders: on the slopes of Puy de Grosmanaux, the route skirts Kilian Crater, the remains of a powerful volcano that was exploited by the Romans to build the Temple of Mercury, which you will discover further along the route.

Starting from Laschamps near Puy de Dôme, the route takes you to the village of Beaune le Chaud, then onto theGR®®4andGR®®30to climb the Puy de Lassolas and Puy de la Vache with magnificent panoramic views, before reaching La Cassière and its lake. Please note: Access to the summits of Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for works between August 2025 and 2027.

And finally, here is the fifth stage, marked by the ascent of Puy de Dôme. The route takes the Chemin des Muletiers for the ascent, then the Sentier des Chèvres to descend towards Orcines. There is, of course, a vast panorama from the highest point of this stage, overlooking the city of Clermont-Ferrand, the chain of puys, the Combrailles, the Plateau des Dôme and the Massif du Sancy.

A family walk to discover the forest and how it is managed. In the village of Laschamps, keep your spirit of discovery alive and try to make your compass lose its north!

A circular route, on paths and trails, with the first part in the forest and the second part through meadows, with beautiful views of the nearby Puy de Dôme and the Massif du Sancy.

At the end of the Second Empire, when thermal spas were booming in Auvergne, Puy de Dôme became the place to visit. Tourist guides of the time stated that "it is not permissible to leave Auvergne without having climbed Puy de Dôme"!

At the foot of the Puy de Dôme, walk through pastures where cows graze, producing the delicious cheeses of Auvergne. You will pass through a few quiet villages. An idyllic countryside!

A stroll through wooded hills and meadows.