Puy des Gouttes circular route from Beauregard

Start from the car park on the left at the entrance to the village of Beauregard (municipality of Saint-Ours). Access by car via the D943 then the D576.

(S/E) From the car park, head straight up the track (tarmacked at the start) for about 0.9 km, heading north-east to east, until you reach the crossroads featuring a sculpture (SHHH!) by the Volvic-based artist Thierry Courtadon.

(1) Continue in the same direction for 1.7 km until you reach “Pied de Jumes” and ignore all the paths branching off to the left.

(2) Turn right to join the^GR®441, walking alongside the Puys de Jume and de la Coquille on your left, and ignore the paths leading down to the right.

(3) At the junction with the^GR®, turn right and follow it. This takes you round the Puy de Clermont on the right. Further on, continue to the right and go round the Puy Chopine.

(4) For a round trip to the summit of the Puy des Gouttes, continue along the^GR®441to the left, leaving the path that heads straight on (which you’ll take on the return journey).

(5) Balcon du Puy des Gouttes: take the time to admire the sweeping panoramic view, with the Lemptègy volcano (leisure park) and Vulcania at your feet. Behind you lie the Puy de Dôme, the Combrailles and, further in the distance, the Milles Vaches plateau. Descend via the same route you took on the way up.

(4) Turn left to join a wide track, which forms part of the^GR®4and^GR®89routes.

(6) Turn right, ignore the first path on the right and the path to follow on the left, and continue along the^GR® to Beauregard and the car park (S/E).

No shelter on the route. No water source

Whilst the Puy des Gouttes balcony offers a lovely view during the day, it can also be an ideal spot for a beautiful sunset or for watching the Puy de Lemptèguy fireworks from above on certain days during the summer season, with an easy return journey at night.