Puy-de-Dôme passing through the col de Ceyssat

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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.

Technical sheet

n°41988
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 392 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 383 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,072 m
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Photos

View towards the puys
view of Clermont Ferrand
what a view!!!
Puy de dome

Description of the walk

The hike begins at the col de Ceyssat. Park your car in the large car park. The track starts just above a few of the pass buildings.

A signpost clearly indicates the way, pretty much strait up to the top.

At first, the trail is large, fairly busy and shaded. After a few hundred meters, you'll come across the road and the scenic train tracks.

The trail continues on the other side, between gravel and rocks but remains large and sheltered by vegetation at first. Be careful, the slope is steep, and doesn't get any easier until you get to the top. There are however a few benches should you need a rest.

Gradually vegetation disappears, turns are sharper and a stunning view over the south and the Chaîne des Puys appears. The climb ends in an intense yet light atmosphere.

Taking into account the train arrival, the restaurant, paragliders taking off and the Mercure temple, there's bound to be a lot of people once you get to the top. Feel free to go around the "Chemin des Chèvres" (goats path) plateau, the view of Clermont is beautiful and the north and west slope are a lot more deserted.

Take the same path to go back down.

It'll take 40 minutes to an hour for the climb depending on your pace, about the same for the walk around the summit and properly enjoy the view, and another 30 minutes for the trip back down.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,072 m - Parking du > - Le col de Ceyssat
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 1,159 m - Road and rail
  3. 2 : km 2.12 - alt. 1,415 m - Station
  4. 3 : km 2.51 - alt. 1,440 m - Puy de Dôme
  5. S/E : km 5.46 - alt. 1,072 m - Parking Col de Ceyssat

Practical information

Water points at the start and the summit
Bring hiking sticks if you fear for your knees or slipping on gravel.
Regular benches
Shade to mid-climb. Sun protection necessary after that.
Camera for the view.

In the nearby area

Mercury Temple and visiting area at the top.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 64 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 13430637

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Start gently, with a short but vigorous climb.
Don't do it on weekends or holidays, as it gets very crowded.

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no club
no club

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

You can make a loop by joining the GR. T, although we did the return rather than the outward journey. In.addition it descends more gradually

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David torchet
David torchet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk

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doudou1951
doudou1951

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It's best to take the goat path up and then the mule track back down, which is very, very difficult to climb.

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patrickaulagnier
patrickaulagnier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Hiking one evening, quite a few trailers, steady climb. Beautiful view from the top. A must-see site.

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inconnu qui randonne
inconnu qui randonne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello,

This is an extremely popular hike because it's not very difficult.
We started walking in the fog from the pass and miraculously arrived at the summit where everything was clear.
The interest of this walk lies in the view from the summit. You have to go all the way round the site to enjoy it.
The free exhibitions (temple of mercury and archaeology, exhibition on the conquerors of the summit next to the restaurant) are also worth a look.
And as the poet says, "If you go to Auvergne and don't climb to the top of the Puy de Dôme, you haven't been to Auvergne".

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frangil38
frangil38

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

short walk on a very (too) busy itinerary, a "motorway" path, no risk of getting lost, timetable indicated on the signs completely folkloric: distance approx 5 km, difference in altitude 400 m, duration 2h30 or 3h00 according to the signs............. including photo stops and admiration of the very beautiful landscape, I took 40 minutes walking at my "leisurely" pace.You could say that it's not a big deal, except that some of the group didn't do the walk because of the posted time, whereas for 1:00 or 1:30 they would have been up for it, and what can you say in the event of a safety problem where time is of the essence in making the right decision when you have to evacuate the site?
When you get to the top, it's essential to walk around the summit and visit the small museum/exhibition (free of charge).
To be done in winter after a heavy snowfall on ski touring and/or snowshoes .......... I can imagine 1m of powder and a small sea of clouds at the bottom of the valleys with the puys emerging.

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Thierryb26
Thierryb26

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

To say it's crowded is an understatement, but the view is unique.

We went down the goat path, which is less crowded, well signposted and a fairly obvious route.

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LN83
LN83

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A little too busy for my liking, but preferable to the small train ascent which overloads the summit.
Thank you for this must-see

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Philab47
Philab47

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The classic ride is a victim of its own success. You're not alone on the trail. But you have to do it.

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Christain
Christain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

The most interesting part of the tour is the summit, with its superb views over the region, including Puy Pariou.
The climb is gradual on a comfortable path.
A must-do

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DRALLIBAG
DRALLIBAG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A good hike, with 360° views of the volcanoes and the Temple of Mercury.

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capileira
capileira

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A short but steep hike. The views from the summit are magnificent, but not the only ones. A fascinating insight into the geological formation of France. Covid obliges, all establishments closed at the top. We did it in the afternoon. Do it again in the morning in a different light.

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Florence BUFFAT
Florence BUFFAT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I did this walk in winter, when there was a lot of snow. At the top, view of a sea of clouds, but sunshine on arrival and strong wind. Magnificent climb through trees bending under the weight of the snow.
One drawback: on Sunday, the route was used by walkers, snowshoers, skiers (!), sledgers and trail runners, all at the same time, which made the track very slippery for walkers and a little dangerous.

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surlech
surlech

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello and thank you to nature for giving us THE mythical summit in so many ways.

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