Puy de Vichatel from the Les Volcans campsite

The hike starts from Les Volcans campsite. If you are not staying at the campsite, parking spaces are available on the right-hand side of the road after the campsite.

(S/E) With the campsite on your left, follow the road straight ahead, which becomes a path. Pass between Puy de Combegrasse on your left and Puy de la Rodde on your right. Continue downhill until you reach an intersection.

(1) Take the path opposite, which veers slightly to the left. Then keep to the right to go around Puy de Charmont. Ignore two paths on the left,then ignore a path on the right and another on the left. The path turns to the right.

(2) Further on, walk along a large meadow (for safety reasons, the path on the left, which started at the corner of the meadow and joined the road, no longer exists). At the end of the meadow, you will come to a crossroads with signposts.

(3) Follow the path on the left towards Laschamps, which runs alongside the large meadow on the other side. You will reach the Col de la Ventouse car park. Cross the car park towards the stairs and the D2089, passing the information sign about Puy de Vichatel. Climb the stairs, still following the signs for "Laschamps," and cross the D2089 at the pedestrian crossing, taking extreme care. On the other side, turn left onto the path along the road. The path then veers away from the road and reaches a fork.

(4) Keep to the right, and the path immediately climbs up to Puy de Vichatel. After two steep slopes, you will reach the edge of the crater.

(5) Take the path that continues to your right and climb towards the summit. Enjoy the view! You will see the volcanoes at the southern end of the Chaîne des Puys, as well as Lake Aydat and the Sancy massif. Continue along the path to descend into the crater and turn right to return to the district road.

(6) Turn right to reach the pedestrian crossing on the straight stretch of road at the rest area. Cross very carefully and retrace your steps, crossing the car park and following the path at the end of the car park on the left until you reach the intersection with the directional signs.

(3) Continue straight ahead towards Saulzet-le-Froid. Go around Puy de Charmont on the other side, following the D213 at a distance and ignoring the access to this road on the left. When the path leads to the road, immediately take the path on the right, which initially runs alongside the departmental road. Then keep to the right until you reach the intersection at the entrance to the village of Fonclairant.

(7) Turn right. Go around the village and turn right when you reach the track. Then continue straight ahead to return to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Follow the same route as on the way there, in the opposite direction, to return to Les Volcans campsite (S/E).

If you are not a resident of the campsite, parking spaces are available on the right-hand side of the road after the campsite.

Drinks, ice cream, crêpes, etc. are available at the campsite from May to September.

The hike is accessible with dogs. Please note that there is sometimes a flock of sheep at Puy de Vichatel (in the crater), so please keep your dog on a leash.

During the hike and from the summit of Puy de Vichatel, you will be able to see the puys of Combegrasse, La Rodde and Charmont, as well as Puy de Dôme rising up at the summit. The summit of Puy de Vichatel also offers a panoramic view of the entire Massif du Sancy.