Puy Gros

A very pleasant short hike for beginners with breathtaking views of the Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys.
Description and route updated by moderator on 13 May 2024.

Details

2214600
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.24 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,008 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,034 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,865 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,920 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start at the end of Rue de la Fougère. Parking is available near the chapel in the hamlet of La Fougère.

(S/E) Above the car park, take the path on the right, heading east.

(1) At the hamlet of Les Pailloux, ignore the road and continue along the path on the left. Cross a stream and continue along the path. This turns into a trail and joins the ridge at theGR® 30.

(2) Follow it to the left and go around the summit of Chantauzet on the right. Then start (altitude 1,371 m) the climb towards Puy Gros on the right, still following theGR® 30.

(3) At the summit of Puy Gros, enjoy the view of the Sancy massif and the Chaîne des Puys. Continue along the trail, descending on the other side. Join a track and follow it to the left for about 250 m.

(4) Leave the track and turn onto a small path on the left (altitude 1,339 m) and begin the descent. Enter the forest.

(5) Continue descending to the hamlet of La Lusclade.

(6) Cross the hamlet and after 200 m, turn right at a right angle onto the path that starts in the middle of the meadows (leave the path that leads to the fields). Join the D996.

(7) Cross it carefully and turn left onto theGR®30Access (yellow and red markings). Cross the railway line. Follow the Dordogne on your right. Cross the railway line again. Cross the Dordogne and follow it on the other bank. Cross it twice more and join a small road. Turn left and join the D996 at a place called Les Marais. Follow it to the right for 100 m to reach a street on the left.

(8) Follow this road, Rue de la Fougère, to the end (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,392 ft - Hameau de la Fougère
  2. 1 : mi 0.55 - alt. 3,533 ft - Hameau des Pailloux
  3. 2 : mi 2.06 - alt. 4,390 ft - GR°°®°° 30 on the ridge
  4. 3 : mi 3.44 - alt. 4,862 ft - Puy Gros
  5. 4 : mi 4.34 - alt. 4,377 ft - Small path on the left
  6. 5 : mi 4.73 - alt. 3,947 ft - Path, on the left
  7. 6 : mi 5.18 - alt. 3,507 ft - Hameau de la Lusclade
  8. 7 : mi 5.67 - alt. 3,064 ft - Cross the D996. GR30 Access
  9. 8 : mi 7.91 - alt. 3,209 ft - Queureuilh, street on the left
  10. S/E : mi 8.25 - alt. 3,392 ft - Hameau de la Fougère

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 32 reviews

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

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike offering a wide variety of landscapes, including woodland, open spaces, Auvergne plateaus and, finally, the Dordogne river. It is important to note that this hike is marked with green signposts.

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Jloup49
Jloup49
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A parish-specific to Brittany, very beautiful hike starting from Mont Dore, but the yellow route signs leaving Mont Dore are blank, leaving hikers to fend for themselves, which is a shame.
No problems on the GR30. A lovely climb at the foot of Mont Gros, no worries if there's no rain.

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CatiGarcon
CatiGarcon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting hike that can be started from another point, notably at La Bourboule. The advantage of this hike is that it is mostly shaded and can also be done in hot weather. The elevation gain is significant, so be sure to bring walking sticks and water. The finish is magnificent, with a 360-degree view of the volcanic mountain range.
I did it again the next day, starting from La Bourboule. The climb was much steeper and more physically demanding, but it's a nice alternative. You can also dip your feet in the river at the end, which is very pleasant.

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Rouma
Rouma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice circuit, very wooded

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User 26651789

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We left just before 7 a.m. and arrived around 11:15 a.m. We didn't run, but the circuit can indeed be completed in less than 5½ hours, as advertised.
The route is marked almost all the way thanks to the GR30 and other trails, so it's hard to get lost.
There were magnificent views and around fifty cows waiting for us at the top. We just had to squeeze between them while they stared at us 🤣.
A very pleasant circuit.
There were a few nice climbs that got our hearts pumping, but nothing too challenging.

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User 2756977

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with a magnificent arrival at the ridge and a gentle climb to the summit of Puy Gros. Breathtaking views of Mont Dore and La Bourboule.

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myradon72
myradon72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A flawless experience for this beautiful hike, which was perfectly described, with stunning views and a route along the Dordogne River. We parked along the D130 between WPT 7 and 8 (parking is available on both sides of the road, but take care when crossing), from where it is very easy and quick to reach the GR30 after crossing a disused railway line.

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Denyss
Denyss

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, with a cool breeze at the summit despite the season.

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Coco2312
Coco2312

Thank you! With the modified route, the hike will be even more enjoyable. The section along the Dordogne is lovely.

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Coco2312
Coco2312

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with magnificent landscapes.
I agree with the previous comments recommending that you return via the banks of the Dordogne at point 7. It's more pleasant and less dangerous than taking the road, which is busy and in full sun.

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doudou70
doudou70

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike for experienced hikers, with superb views of the snow-capped Puy de Sancy.
The final stretch along the Dordogne is very pleasant.
Excellent route and good description on the app.
Thank you

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tempoalerte@gmail.com.
tempoalerte@gmail.com.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I completely agree with "Aude 1975" and "Razo".
Personally, I think the D996 is dangerous and would not recommend it even for adults (no pavement, trucks driving very close due to the "Mont Dore water bottling plant").
It's better to follow the Dordogne (partly the GR30 then continue to the bridge over the Route des Marais. You'll be better off! It's safe, bucolic, quiet... yes, it adds a few metres (but it's worth it).
Otherwise, the route to point 7 is magnificent

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Aude 1975
Aude 1975

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Yes, I completely agree with the previous review, point 7: dangerous road with no pavements, so we also took the GR, which was much more pleasant!
Otherwise, it was a lovely walk

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Razo
Razo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At point 7, do not follow the very dangerous road, which has no kerbs or pavements for pedestrians. It is better to take the very pleasant, shaded GR trail, which runs alongside the Dordogne.

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JO 34
JO 34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. The descent is difficult.
Enjoyable nonetheless.

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