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Puy de Sancy walks
The Puy de Sancy via the Courre Valley
Visorando Member
4.15 mi
+1,864 ft
-1,860 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.
A circuit around Puy de Sancy
8.36 mi
+3,297 ft
-3,294 ft
6h 45
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
A trip to highest point of the Massif Central.
Puy de Sancy through the Chaudefour valley
10.11 mi
+3,140 ft
-3,143 ft
7h 25
Moderate
Departure from Chambon-sur-Lac (Puy-de-Dôme)
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.
The Puy de Sancy loop via Capucin and the Grande Cascade
9.99 mi
+3,471 ft
-3,474 ft
7h 35
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
This circuit will take you from Mont-Dore to discover the Puy de Sancy (the highest peak in the Massif Central) and its ridges.
The Puy de Sancy from the west via Chastreix
9.52 mi
+2,474 ft
-2,434 ft
6h 30
Moderate
Departure from Chastreix (Puy-de-Dôme)
The western slope of Puy de Sancy, in the heart of the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve (dogs not allowed).
A natural heritage site of great quality where many natural environments are well preserved. The exceptional flora and remarkable fauna thrive on an exceptional geology. The landscapes are magnificent.
Puy de Sancy from the Super-Besse cable cars
2.75 mi
+692 ft
-689 ft
1h 50
Moderate
Departure from Chambon-sur-Lac (Puy-de-Dôme)
Relatively easy access to the summit of the Massif Central, which offers spectacular views. Please note that to reach the starting point of this circuit, you will need to take the Super-Besse cable cars, which are subject to a charge.
Puy de Sancy from Super Besse
6.16 mi
+1,703 ft
-2,037 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
Access to the Puy de Sancy on the outward journey via the eastern and northern ridges of the Super Besse resort, and return via theGR®®4.Please note that two vehicles are required for this hike: one at the top of the resort and another at the Lac des Hermines car park.
⚠️ 22/07/2026: the GPX track at Puy de la Perdrix has been slightly modified to follow the current signposting on the ground.
Tour of Puy de Sancy from Super-Besse
10.07 mi
+3,376 ft
-3,350 ft
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
A superb hike around the Puy de Sancy, with many views of the surrounding area.
North Tour of the Sancy Massif
9.79 mi
+3,825 ft
-3,809 ft
7h 50
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
Ascent of the Sancy via the Val de Courre, then descent into the Chaudefour Valley for a return to the resort via the eastern ridges.
La Bourboule - Le Mont Dore route
25.64 mi
+7,228 ft
-6,680 ft
3 days
Moderate
Departure from La Bourboule (Puy-de-Dôme)
A three-day hike starting from La Bourboule, taking you to several peaks in Auvergne (Capucin, Puy de Cliergue, Puy de la Tour Carrée, Le Sancy), the Chaudefour Valley, the Grande Cascade waterfall, etc., ending in the town of Le Mont Dore.
Between Puy de Sancy and Monts Dore
44.98 mi
+8,816 ft
-8,520 ft
5 days
Moderate
Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
A very beautiful route that takes you along the ridges of Sancy and through the medieval villages of Besse and Murol, betweenGR®4andGR®30.
This route can be done in stages, staying in hotels or lodges. The addresses where we stopped will be indicated in the stage descriptions.
The Grande Cascade from the summit of Sancy
5.47 mi
+919 ft
-3,251 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
A hike for the whole family (but suitable footwear is essential) which, from the summit of Puy de Sancy, will take you along the ridges to the Grande Cascade. A challenging route alternating between ascents and descents, offering stunning 360° views as far as Puy de Dôme, Puy Mary and well beyond, weather permitting.
Le Puy de Sancy from Besse
17.36 mi
+3,520 ft
-3,497 ft
11h 05
Difficult
Departure from Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise (Puy-de-Dôme)
Hike starting from the town of Besse, located an hour's drive from Clermont-Ferrand. This hike is mainly in open countryside. It allows you to admire Lake Pavin, overlook the town of Super-Besse and, above all, enjoy a 360° view from Puy de Sancy.
Circular route around the Chaudefour Valley and Puy de Sancy
39.28 mi
+9,514 ft
-9,534 ft
4 days
Moderate
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
A 4-day hike staying in stopover lodges, so you can sleep in the warmth every night
The route takes you along the GR®4 and GR®30 trails through the Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve and the Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve, where you’ll discover the highest peaks of the Massif Central and magnificent waterfalls, with a short break to relax at Lac Chambon.
Auvergne Volcanoes Park – Sancy Massif – Puy de Sancy – Chambon-sur-Lac
11.72 mi
+971 ft
-4,039 ft
6h 15
Moderate
Departure from Puy-de-Dôme
A walk starting from Puy de Sancy (located an hour’s drive south of Clermont-Ferrand) to the town of Chambon-sur-Lac.
This walk offers views of the Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserve from the ridge path of the Sancy massif, as well as the valley floor.
The walk ends at Lake Chambon, which is a lovely spot not only for a swim (weather permitting) but also to watch the sunset.
From Mont-Dore to Super Besse
7.21 mi
+2,306 ft
-2,073 ft
5h 20
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
Stage 4 of the 5-day route.
This stage takes you from Mont Dore to Super Besse via the summit of Sancy. A very steep climb from Mont Dore, ending with a descent to the resort of Super Besse.
See Practical information regarding certain restrictions.
Mont Dore - Puy de Sancy - Voissières station
8.28 mi
+2,175 ft
-3,340 ft
5h 40
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
Departure from Chalet ECIR in Mont Dore resort to reach Relais Voissières in...Voissières. Pass through the ridges along the Chaudefour valley.
The climb up Sancy can be difficult, but the rest is very easy.
The Puy de Sancy and the Cirque de la Fontaine Salée from Mont
Tourism professional11.82 mi
+2,792 ft
-2,762 ft
7h 50
Difficult
Departure from Chastreix (Puy-de-Dôme)
A very varied route, with ridges, forest, a spring and, above all, exceptional views! A wild route with people at the summit of Puy de Sancy but no one else anywhere else.Dogs are not allowed on this hike (even on a lead), located in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve (they are only allowed on a lead on the GR®30).
From Sancy to Lake Servières via the Chaudefour Valley (GR®4 & GR®30)
51.06 mi
+12,339 ft
-12,326 ft
5 days
Difficult
Departure from Chambon-sur-Lac (Puy-de-Dôme)
This route, which takes in the Chaudefour Valley, the Puy de Sancy, La Bourboule, the lakes of Guéry and Servières, as well as several state-owned forests, offers varied scenery and numerous panoramic views, allowing you to discover a range of local attractions in a single route!
FYI: we’ve mapped out the walk to plan our camping trip and will be testing it in mid-May, after which we’ll update the details if necessary and add photos!
Puy de Sancy circular walk from Mont-Dore
Association / Club / Walk leader
10.12 mi
+3,596 ft
-3,589 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Mont-Dore (Puy-de-Dôme)
Starting from Mont-Dore, at the foot of the majestic Puy de Sancy, this route is the best way to appreciate the spectacular, unspoilt landscapes of the beautiful Sancy volcanic massif. With breathtaking scenery, exceptional flora and remarkable fauna, the Sancy region lies at the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park.
Chareire - Mont-Dore Station
8.61 mi
+2,526 ft
-2,129 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Picherande (Puy-de-Dôme)
From Chareire, you will begin the ascent of Puy de Sancy (alt. 1,883 m), the highest point of the Massif Central, passing via the Col du Couhay and the Cabane, before descending towards the Mont-Dore resort via the Val de Courre.