Puy Griou loop from the Col de Font de Cère

A short route to a legendary summit, offering beautiful panoramic views of the Puy mountains in the Cantal region.

Details

4321798
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 415 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 414 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,685 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,290 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the Super Lioran resort, take the D67 up to the Col de Cère. 380 m further on, take the small asphalt road on the right to the Col de Font de Cère. Park in one of the two car parks on either side of the road.

(S/E) Walk to the back of the large car park, passing in front of the restaurant.

(1) After passing the restaurant, take the hairpin bend to the left onto the GR®4-GR®400 path, heading north-west. Follow theGR®® markings, alternating between the edge of the ski slope and the path. At the edge of the forest, go through a fence, then climb up to the left of the Rombière chairlift upper station. A few metres further on, leave the GR® on your right and climb up to the left towards the metal barrier.

(2) Go through the gate, continue straight ahead, then climb up the south-western slope below the 1,617 m summit.
The path that branches off to the left along the fence at the gate will be used for the return journey. After curving to the left and then turning right, the path climbs gently to Puy Griou.

(3) Reach the saddle that connects it to the summit of the puy at 1618 m. Go through a gate, then start the ascent on the trail, preferring the paths on the right side of the north-east face of the Puy, which is in front of you.

Then, via a sustained climb through phonolitic rock formations, where you will need to use your hands in places, reach the summit adorned with its cairn.

(4) Descend to the saddle. Climb back up the well-marked path that runs along the fence to the summit of the hill at an altitude of 1,618 metres.

(5) Follow this path, descending gently to the north-east until you reach a metal gate.

(6) After passing it, descend on the path to the north-west.

(2) Take the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,291 m - Parking at - Col du Font de Cère (1290m)
  2. 1 : km 0.09 - alt. 1,290 m - At the end of the car park, junction with the GR4 and GR400.
  3. 2 : km 1.67 - alt. 1,522 m - Metal barrier
  4. 3 : km 2.99 - alt. 1,584 m - Saddle
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 1,685 m - Summit of - Puy Griou
  6. 5 : km 3.79 - alt. 1,611 m - Summit of the Puy 1618 m
  7. 6 : km 4.7 - alt. 1,552 m - Metal gate and trail junction.
  8. S/E : km 6.75 - alt. 1,292 m - Col de Font de Cère car park

Notes

I made a video with a panorama and the names of the peaks, which covers the important points in the guidebook
It's here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTd-YMmd...
In my opinion, it is best to tackle the north-east face of Puy Griou by veering slightly to the right, as the slope is less steep there.
This is what I explain and show in my second video and ascent via Les Chazes, which can be found
here: https://youtu.be/gHFU65Y18Co
Although it is a short route with little elevation gain, I rate the difficulty as above average due to the strenuous climb up the puy.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on 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 19 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
visorandofredo
visorandofredo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A must-see in the region!!! Head slightly to the right for an easier climb......

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ggcc
ggcc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The easiest way to climb Puy Griou
At the top, you have to finish with your hands for 3 or 4 metres
But it's very doable, even at 72 years old
If the ground is dry
The flying ants at the summit are rather unpleasant
But the 360° view of all the Cantal mountains is worth it
Otherwise, walk around Puy Griou via the path at the foot

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gigine57
gigine57
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Another hike that only my husband was able to do because dogs are not allowed. So this region, with its summer pastures, is not recommended for dog owners

A very good hike, but quite difficult to reach the summit, both on the way up and on the way down

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Patoumimi
Patoumimi

i will keep you informed upon my return around 20/05/2025.
Yours sincerely,

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Aldo63
Aldo63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 17 August 2024. The Visorando guidebook is very informative. The first part of the route, which follows quite a few ski slopes, is not necessarily the most pleasant, but it does allow you to gain altitude fairly quickly. We were accompanied by our dog and followed the recommendations for the mountain pastures once we had passed the barriers. By keeping a good distance from the herds, there was no particular danger to report. The last part is quite steep and could be described as medium PLUS difficulty. In the last section before the summit of Puy Griou, we followed the guidebook by following the trail on the right, but we quickly came across unstable scree, which at times was off the trail, and we rejoined the central part further on. The final climb to the summit is very steep and not recommended if you have a dog on a leash (I had a few scares). The summit, which is on the ridge line, does not leave much room to pass, and on that day the route was very busy. The descent from the summit was challenging, still with the dog on a leash and the path over the large sloping boulders a little difficult to find. The rest of the route, which forms a loop, is pleasant. It was our first hike in the Cantal, and we were not disappointed. It makes a change from the Sancy or Puy de Dôme massifs. Overall, it was a lovely 4-hour hike, including a lunch break. The weather was mild, even cool for the season. Thank you to the Visorando team for suggesting this route.

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francois4274
francois4274

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, beautiful open landscapes after the first shaded climb.
We didn't do the final climb up Le Puy because a sign said "path closed for works".
The way back from the puy is a bit through fields, but with GPS it's no problem.

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Alouette Lulu
Alouette Lulu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were four city hikers in our seventies who only go hiking in the mountains one week a year. We had no difficulty reaching point 3. However, to climb to the summit of Puy Griou, we took a path too far to the right and were unable to climb the last few metres. The descent back to point 3 was laborious. We actually descended a little too far. Apart from this minor disappointment, we enjoyed the hike. Even if you don't climb to the top, this route is a good way to reach Puy Griou without too much effort. As for the ascent, which we found difficult, as did many other internet users, it's best to have a sure foot. Thank you for this hike.

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gll
gll
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Spectacular 360° view at the top!

Be careful, the last part of the climb up the volcano is really steep (the descent on the way back is also difficult). I don't recommend following the direct, almost vertical trail! (I'm exaggerating a little ; I recommend taking the few paths that go around it instead.

A beautiful walk overall.

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Edited:

Thank you for submitting your reviews.
Yes, the smartphone app works very well. I hiked for many years with a Garmin GPS and now I only use my smartphone. Here's how I do it.
I enter the routes I'm interested in as favourites on my computer, and then all I have to do is select the hike I want to do from these favourites on my smartphone.
I downloaded the IGN map for the whole of France right from the start so that I don't have to do it every time I go out.
To be on the safe side, I downloaded the app onto my wife's phone in case mine breaks down.
For battery life, I connect it to an external battery, which allows me to do several routes in a row while keeping my smartphone at 100% charge during the hike.

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Dominique Janjou
Dominique Janjou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, with the option of taking the chairlift back down for those who are tired. With magnificent views over the centre of the Cantal volcanic massif, Puy Griou is a phonolite massif, a type of volcanic rock that "rings" when struck... A must-see!
The app works perfectly after downloading the GPX file, and the markers are clearly visible and easy to follow.

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liaucat
liaucat
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in beautiful weather. The view from the top of Puy Griou is superb. It took us just under 3 hours to complete this loop, including a photo stop at the summit and a short blueberry break between points 6 and 2. From point 1 to point 2, there are a few steep sections at the start, but they are short. There is no difficulty from 2 to 3, where the trail is almost flat. From point 3, the trails go in all directions and it's a mess for the mountain. For the last few metres, you need to use your hands, but the effort is well rewarded by the splendid 360-degree view. The description of the return route is well written and if you follow the fence as indicated in the guide, there is no problem reaching the gate at point 6.

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isabellebl
isabellebl

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike offering stunning views of the Monts du Cantal. The last 50 metres before reaching the summit of Puy Griou require climbing on all fours over rocks to reach the top.

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Véro C
Véro C
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, aerial view, very beautiful landscapes. We had trouble on the second part after Puy Griou following the trail across the field. We found the trail again just before arriving at the chairlift station. Thank you, we had a wonderful time

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100
• Edited:

Thank you for sharing your opinion. This will allow me to emphasise that this hike is indeed of medium-high difficulty.
The distance and elevation gain are very modest. Only the final climb (common to all Visorando routes on Puy Griou) in the dales from the plateau, which is somewhat challenging, requires attention (see my video). For this difficulty, I have added the level of difficulty as medium-high in the practical information when writing the guidebook. So yes, the difficulty is confirmed as medium-high.
However, for the sake of consistency, I couldn't change it to difficult. It is important to differentiate this route from some much more difficult hikes involving glacier crossings with incomparable elevation gains and distances, and sections where you have to use your hands, such as the Pic du Taillon in the Pyrenees (rated as difficult on Visorando, see my video https://youtu.be/2Hmm9M9xGeA) or the Puig Carlit https://youtu.be/w8EkJjQKGUI?si=U0cvZxhP...

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MARNOY
MARNOY

This hike sounds tempting, but we didn't do it because it's quite difficult with unstable terrain in places (risk of falling for those who are less fit)! This was confirmed by hikers who had done it. They told us it was magnificent, but also difficult!

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