Puy de Sancy from Super Besse

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is very well signposted and the description of the hike is excellent. There is a bit of zigzagging on the descent with the mountain bikes, but you quickly find the right track.
No need for a second car. Just park in the car park not far from the Perdrix cable car.
You just need to walk a little way up to the "Panorama" building, which you can't miss as it's the tall tower.
Go around it on the left and climb up the short track to find a wide path that you follow back up to the starting point indicated in this guide. You'll arrive behind the Belhambra.
Enjoy your hike 😉

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Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Stunning panoramic views around the highest point of the Chaîne des Puys, but ultimately a disappointing hike in several respects.
In my experience, hikes in ski areas are often mediocre, and this one is no exception: little vegetation, almost no water, particularly steep terrain that is especially difficult on the way down with paths that lead straight down to the valley, ground badly damaged by ski and mountain bike trails... In short, not a very pleasant walk.
Add to this the exaggerated accessibility of the site, with two ski lifts from Super Besse and Mont Dore, which has forced the closure of a large area off the trails to the public, and you completely lose the mountain spirit.
Once you reach the top of the Sancy after a final climb on a path crowded with people, the panoramic view is sublime, or at least it must be, because in early August it is impossible to get a clear view from the summit platform due to the large crowds of tourists in trainers.
In conclusion, you should go to the top of Sancy because it's magnificent, but you should go early, out of season, and take a different route, such as the Chaudefour valley...

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Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
The route from point 7 back to Lac des Hermines is far from straightforward, with few visible trail markers and poorly maintained paths.
The end can be a bit tricky, particularly a section after point 7 going downhill... For a beginner hiker with poor footwear, this hike is rated as moderate, but I think difficult would be more appropriate.
Nevertheless, it is a very pleasant hike with a magnificent view at the top of Sancy.
To really enjoy it, you need to set off very early to avoid the crowds on the last stretch up to Sancy.
Have a good day.

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Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike! The route is very well marked on the hike description and very well marked on site. This hike allows you to walk around Puy de Sancy in a day while having time to enjoy the views. A few sections were congested due to crowds and there were no water points available.

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Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A section in the first part passes close to a ravine on the left. Simply turn off onto a path 10 metres to the right to be safer.
The descent onto the GR is quick but busier.

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Hello and thank you very much for your comment. This hike is indeed superb, despite the crowds at Puy de Sancy.
Enjoy the rest of your time in this area, where there are many varied and enjoyable hikes to enjoy.

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Climbing Puy de Sancy was the adventure of the week for our little family: a couple with a teenager and a 6-year-old. We were not disappointed 🤩 Despite an unreliable GPS, as reception is very poor in Super Besse, we tackled the climb without difficulty. The low-lying clouds lifted and the landscape was already beautiful (8:30 a.m.). We were careful not to end up on the mountain bike trails. After the Col de la Cabane, there were a lot more people, but it was still reasonable. The wind blew away the clouds, revealing a superb landscape! We admired the mouflons and began the descent after the mini-circular of Le Puy. Descent in the clouds. The return trip was a leisurely one back to the village. Superb hike!

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Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We took the cable car from Super-Besse and then continued on foot. The view is magnificent. At the summit of Sancy, instead of turning back, don't hesitate to descend on the Mont-Dore side, which allows you to discover another aspect of Puy de Sancy. Once at the cable car station on the Mont-Dore side, it's easy to join the GR30 trail, which descends to Super-Besse.
There are lots of people at the summit, so it is strongly recommended that you plan to arrive early (we went up when the cable car opened). Otherwise, it will be difficult to climb up to the orientation table. The return via the GR30 is much less busy, as most visitors come down by cable car.
After point 6, be careful not to miss the trail. You leave a wide, flat path for a narrow, uneven path that descends to the right.

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Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike to do in clear weather to enjoy the magnificent landscapes. We returned to the starting point by taking the trail that runs along the back of the Super Besse tower.

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Date of your route : Sep 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The unfavourable weather today meant we didn't get the beautiful view we had hoped for, but we were happy with this windy day because the route before the summit was magnificent.

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Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, very popular since the arrival of the Perdrix cable car.
The climb to the summit feels like climbing the stairs of Montmartre hill; there are lots of people on this very sunny August day.
The descent with the sun in our faces was difficult; it is really too hot on this 21st of August 2023.

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Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, best done out of season.

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Date of your route : Jul 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike (starting from the central car park at the bottom of Super Besse: 11.4 km and 610 m elevation gain) at 8:30 a.m. towards the Puy de Sancy, offering superb 360° panoramic views.
The route was completed using only the GPS track from the Visorando app, without using the suggested description.
Important tip: If you can, avoid the summer months to really enjoy the area! From 9 a.m. onwards, the Super Besse and Mont-Dore cable cars bring crowds of tourists to the foot of the Puy, causing traffic jams in the final part of the ascent and making it almost impossible to access the summit platform and orientation tables. If you can't avoid this period, then get up very early in the morning, even if it means setting off with a head torch (which we regretted not doing!!!).

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Date of your route : May 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very accessible hike, even for occasional walkers. Magnificent when the weather is favourable.

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