Puy de Lassolas and Puy de la Vache

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

Technical sheet

91329
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 271 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 270 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,186 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 979 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the car park along the D5, at a crossing (marker 980) between Randanne and Saint-Genès-Champanelle.

Red and White markings as far as point (2), then sparse Green markings from there. Some information panels.

(S/F) Follow the GR30 and GR4 in the undergrowth, with heading west, then north-west. Stay on the main path ignoring the trails heading to the right and the path that goes left.

(1). Continue north-west by remaining attentive and locating the junction towards the Puy de Lassolas.

(2) Take the path on the right (heading north) to climb the Puy de Lassolas. The trail starts in the undergrowth but soon clears. Continue along on this steep trail in the scree. Follow the ridge along a semi-circle to the summit (1,187 m). Pass over the summit and begin the descent into the scree. Do not strictly follow the ridge but veer left to reach the small depression between the Puy de Lassolas and Puy de la Vache.

(3) Begin the ascent of the Puy de la Vache. The path is laid out with many wooden steps. Reach the ridge of the Puy de la Vache and then its summit (1,167 m). Head down along the ridge to the south and find the wooden steps. Then follow a path that winds through the woods to get back to the outbound GR path. Turn left onto this road to quickly reach the starting point (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 979 m - D5 road car park
  2. 1 : km 0.68 - alt. 990 m - Junction with the road from Montlosier
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 1,024 m - Junction for the ascent of Puy de Lassolas
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 1,185 m - Puy de Lassolas
  5. 4 : km 2.77 - alt. 1,087 m - Depression between Lassolas and La Vache
  6. 5 : km 3.23 - alt. 1,163 m - Puy de la Vache
  7. S/E : km 4.31 - alt. 979 m - D5 road car park

Practical information

The land is unstable in places (scree) so wear good walking shoes. No drinking water refill point. A compass can be useful in fog.

The ridges of Puy Lassolas and Puy de la Vache are susceptible to erosion: do not deviate from the path.

“Alternative parking option” - It is possible to park at the Maison du Parc des Volcanes, Montlosier Castle, located at the foot of the Puy de Montchal, about 1.5 km south-west of the intersection that is the starting point. In this case, join the trail that starts at the D5 and runs along the base of the Puy de Montchal on its east side. Follow this path on the left (Northwest). A at marker 993, turn to the right and follow the path north-east that leads to point (1).

In the nearby area

The Puy de Lassolas Puy de la Vache are the youngest of the Chaîne des Puys at around 8,500 years old. They are called “open crater” volcanoes with a characteristic crescent shape. This shape is due to a continuous lava flow at the time of eruption, which prevented the crater from closing. This lava flow, by solidifying, formed the Cheires d’Aydat, a sort of natural dam at the origin of the lake of the same name.

The entire route is an open book of Volcanology. The ridges provide an abundance of volcanic deposits that range from red to black (avoid the temptation to take samples with you).

Home to the National Park Centre of the Auvergne volcanoes near the starting point (see the alternative parking option in the practical information section).

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 105 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 8387401

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Under the blazing sun, the climb was tough. The view was worth it.

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JLC30
JLC30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful but sometimes physically demanding short hike with magnificent scenery. At the end of the hike, at the bottom of the stairs, follow the blue PR trail, which takes you through the quarry.

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ThierryL08
ThierryL08

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely route and superb views. However, the last section back from point 5 to the main path is missing. We returned via another path but the track is not good on the part indicated.

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Marleytte
Marleytte
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent walk.
Despite the steep climb up the side of the Puy de Lassolas and the staircase descent to the Puy de la Vache, I recommend it because of the beautiful views, the wooded paths and the open spaces on the ridge and at the summit.

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Nary
Nary

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The descent was made difficult for a "knee patient" (total prosthesis): due to erosion, the steps could reach a height of 40 cm!

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Luc1
Luc1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Physics in the first part, but the views are well worth the effort

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K-Sigurd
K-Sigurd

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely route, very pleasant walk.

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bmontessinos
bmontessinos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant little hike with a beautiful view from the summit. There is a mistake on the last climb, but just follow the clearly visible arrow.

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delpierrobzh
delpierrobzh

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We set off at around 6pm, which meant that the light on the site was magnificent when we were at the summit. A bit of a brutal climb at the start, but well worth it!

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ceclpz
ceclpz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pretty walk, ending with the puy de la vache. The descent with the steps was easier than the ascent. Climb up the Puy de Lassolas path, which is very beautiful but steep.

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DANIELFAURE
DANIELFAURE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Well marked and well described

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grantoine72
grantoine72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A fantastic hike with beautiful views from the top of the 2 volcanoes.
The first climb is really steep for amateurs like us and quite slippery, but if you're careful
it goes through. Be careful at the end because the steps are not the same size and it breaks your legs on the way down.

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nicole.l
nicole.l

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very beautiful route, with many fine viewpoints, including one overlooking the Puy-de-Dôme. Difficult route but well worth doing given the beauty of the site.

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cbd35
cbd35

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very nice hike.
Be careful, it's a steep climb on slippery pozzolana. Follow the signs carefully: it's easier to go down the stairs.
Magnificent views from the top of Puy de Lassola.

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LFrançois
LFrançois

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely walk in the sunshine.

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