Puy de Sancy through the Chaudefour valley

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.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 977 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 978 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,875 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,138 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Departure from the Natural Reserve House on the D36 between Chambon-sur-Lac and Courbanges.

Follow the discovery path due South-West passing nearby the Perouse cascade (1)do not miss the indications for coming and going on site. Return to the discovery path and head North West towards the cabin and the Sainte Anne spring (old project of a thermal resort) (2).
After the bridge, at the junction, take the left heading South West for about 600m

(3) At the next crossing, leave the path to your right and take the path in front heading South. After a left turn, leave the path toward the Biche (Deer) cascade (4) and continue on a steep climb, first due North East, then South. It leads grassy underwood to a plateau and to the Chambgourdeix volcanic hill (1570m) (5).

Turn due West on the crest line (chemin de crête) bordering the valley (leave the small pathways returning to the main path to your left), walk past the Perdrix (Partridge) volcanic hill or puy, then to Puiy Ferrand. Following this ridge, due North West, go downhill towards the Cabanne pass and then start a steep Puy de Sancy ascent (6).

Go back down the path on the Pas de l"Ane (Donkey pass) (7). Turn right, due North, and the telecabin pylons (8) then cross a depression heading North East, then East, on GR4E for about 1.2km

(9) Mât de la Dore: take a perpendicular right turn towards the South on the path to Pan de la Grange 500m away (10). Turn left, follow the GR4 along the Puy crests that mark the separation between the Chaudefour and the Dore valleys

(11) Once you get to the Puy des Crebasses , leave the GR4 to your left, and head due North East towards Chambon-des-Neiges.

(12) At the next crossing, go downhill to the right in the Chaudefour valley direction - don't forget to admire the Liadouze rocks, the Spite peak, the Cock and Monk crests, and other volcanic dikes.

Soon you will reach the same path you came in from at the beginning of the walk. Follow it to the left to Natural Reserve House and your departure point(S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,139 m - Car park at the Maison de la Réserve Naturelle - Couze Chambon (rivière) - Affluent de l'Allier
  2. 1 : km 0.81 - alt. 1,190 m - Cascade de Pérouse
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 1,213 m - Sainte-Anne spring and chalet
  4. 3 : km 1.7 - alt. 1,233 m - Straight ahead at the intersection
  5. 4 : km 1.99 - alt. 1,244 m - Right fork
  6. 5 : km 4.02 - alt. 1,566 m - Plateau and Puy de Champgourdeix
  7. 6 : km 6.86 - alt. 1,782 m - Col de la Cabanne
  8. 7 : km 7.2 - alt. 1,851 m - Puy de Sancy
  9. 8 : km 7.53 - alt. 1,814 m - Pas de l'Ane
  10. 9 : km 7.82 - alt. 1,771 m - Cable car masts
  11. 10 : km 8.63 - alt. 1,657 m - Mât de la Dore, 1670m - Cascade de la Dore
  12. 11 : km 9.13 - alt. 1,723 m - Pan de la Grange mast, 1720m
  13. 12 : km 10.85 - alt. 1,758 m - Puy des Crebasses mast, 1762m
  14. 13 : km 12.45 - alt. 1,429 m - Descent to Liazoude and Chaudefour Valley
  15. S/E : km 16.34 - alt. 1,139 m - Car park at the Maison de la Réserve Naturelle

Practical information

Dogs forbidden even on a Leach
Stay on the actual paths, some vipers (they don't stay on the path, are slow and flee the slightest vibration).

In the nearby area

- Perouse cascade
- Saint Ann spring
- Dent de la Rancune and Crête de Coq (Spite and cock crests) : remarkable dikes during the ascent next to the St Ann source
- The Natural Reserve House

 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

4.7 / 5
Based on 70 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Mélanie Gelhausen
Mélanie Gelhausen

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 : No

A magnificent discovery during our stay in Auvergne, we left the children behind for a long hike as a couple and made a detour to see the Cascade de la Biche waterfall, which was really worth it.
The hike starts in a beautiful forest, then continues up these magnificent hills, offering spectacular views that took our breath away.
A very beautiful discovery that I highly recommend, but you do need to be in good shape as there are a few technical sections.
My Garmin watch showed 20 km and 1,248 metres of elevation gain in 8 hours and 50 minutes, including a lunch break, snack break, micro-nap and a leisurely pace.

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laclau sebastien
laclau sebastien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very nice walk, between forests and ridges, but it's a shame we had our heads in the clouds with limited views.
It's a sporty hike, with a diversion to the Biche waterfall. You need to allow 20km for this loop.

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suzie0405
suzie0405

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

As a small variation, we went up to the Biche waterfall and back, following the blue signs, it's well worth the detour.
We cut across the Pan des Granges, and didn't go back down to the Pas de L'Ane ski lift, a lovely ridge path.
Only a few people at Puy de Sancy, but parish specific to Brittany.
Magnificent tour of this parish specific to Brittany.
On the way out, we spotted a herd of wild animals. I couldn't tell because I didn't have my binoculars with me, but it could have been chamois.
The technical return was on small paths through undergrowth, with leaves, roots and rocks, which are dangerous if wet, and you need to be careful.
I wouldn't take young children.

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MAGMA19
MAGMA19
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Good morning,

lovely autumn walk in 17°C weather.
Beautiful views and lovely shady paths.
I completed the walk in 7 hours without exerting myself (adults aged 55/65 who are used to hiking and running): despite everything, it's still a physical hike!
Of course, don't forget your windbreaker, cap, etc. as the weather can be extremely changeable from one side to the other.... and high boots etc. as the paths are muddy, steep and even slippery...

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Fredow
Fredow

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful route, certainly one of the most magnificent in the Auvergne. The weather was fine and the views were magnificent. For an autumn weekend, it was a bit crowded, especially on the ascent of the Sancy. The path was very wet and even muddy in places, which means you have to be very careful not to slip.
Thanks for the ride!

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TROVAN
TROVAN

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

DONE on 16 September; good conditions, but quite strong gusts of wind at times.
The descent on the way back requires a lot of attention, with roots and a few passages where you have to be careful. A good, beautiful walk with some fantastic views.

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Sbroglia
Sbroglia

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Course rated average but I would rate it average ++...
You do need to be in good physical condition...
It's a magnificent spectacle but well worth the effort...

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Filou Phil
Filou Phil

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Not very popular because of the fog over the puy and the wind.
But a superb hike
With visorando and the location, you'll be on the right track.

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Manigan
Manigan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A parish specific to Brittany, but I'd have to say that given the steepness of the route, it's best to be in good physical shape. The descent is even more strenuous than the ascent, but that's just my opinion. Moderately difficult, but a bit tough nonetheless.

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Ed36
Ed36

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A superb hike with a few difficulties. Superb scenery and beautiful views.
I would do it again without hesitation.
Thank you for this beautiful hike
Eric

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DelalandeAlexandra
DelalandeAlexandra

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A magnificent walk despite the November mist. Done with children aged 13 and 9 with no difficulties.

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pmr.deux
pmr.deux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very fine route, including the Puy de Sancy.
3 dangerous sections in the woods in the last part (the water caused stumps and rocks to fall or shift).

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phbab
phbab

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Magnificent hike A must-do A little crowded but not excessive for a weekend in August

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Laomjlkl6943
Laomjlkl6943
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

It's a magnificent route where you'll be amazed all the time, even in the forest if you know how to listen... Magnificent waterfalls, water source too....
The only snag...the puy de sancy ...it was like being in New York City....so we stayed for 5 minutes and quickly continued our hike, well away from this individualistic crowd, as the Chaudefour valley is also well worth a visit.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a beautiful route and well worth the diversions. I've put together a 4K video showing the names of the main puys we encountered and the atmosphere of the hike.
You can watch it here
https://youtu.be/x5Lk9rrUvTo

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