Puy Mary from the Pas de Peyrol

The circuit offers magnificent panoramic views of twelve valleys from the summit.

Puy Mary, a veritable pyramid when seen from the sky, rises to 1,783 metres. In the heart of the Cantalien Massif, it is surrounded by exceptional landscapes formed by volcanic activity and glacial erosion, representing the largest volcano in Europe (2,700 km²).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 226 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 227 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,780 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,548 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at the Maison du Puy Mary in Pas de Peyrol.

(S/E) Take the path, which is entirely covered with concrete and mostly consists of steps. Half steps have been installed to make the climb easier for those who are less fit.

(1) You will quickly reach a small platform, which may be the end point for those who are less fit. There is a lovely view from here.
From this point, the path becomes significantly steeper and is only suitable for walkers who are used to climbing steep slopes. This steep climb continues to the summit. It is advisable to walk at a slow pace that suits your ability.
At the end of the long steep climb leading to Puy Mary, you begin to glimpse the beauty of the landscape, which can only be seen in its entirety from the summit.

(2) Summit of Puy Mary with an orientation table. 360° view. Puy Mary is the centre of the Cantal volcano, from which seven glacial valleys radiate outwards. The panorama is breathtaking and rewards walkers who have made it this far in around 30 minutes for good walkers. Follow the path to the south-east, following the ridge.

(3) Turn left onto the path that winds between the blueberry bushes. The path becomes very easy and, after skirting the side of the mountain, joins the D680 road.
When the trail reaches the road, cross it and head for Pas de Peyrol by taking the pavement on the left, which climbs slightly along the road until you reach Pas de Peyrol (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,588 m - No Peyrol
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 1,660 m - First viewpoint
  3. 2 : km 0.71 - alt. 1,780 m - Orientation table. Summit of the - Puy Mary
  4. 3 : km 1.17 - alt. 1,618 m - Trail intersection
  5. S/E : km 2.51 - alt. 1,588 m - No Peyrol

Notes

The climb requires a good level of fitness but is fully equipped and accessible as long as walkers are well equipped.

On foot only from the Col du Pas de Peyrol (1,588 m)
1 hour walk there and back for those who do not do the loop and descend via the same route – Elevation gain: 199 m
Less experienced walkers can descend via the same route as the ascent, which is well maintained.

Very good walkers can make a loop to return to Pas de Peyrol via the point (3). Between the point (2) and the point (3), the descent, which is very steep at the beginning, follows a steep path passing between rocks and mini scree at times. This section is not recommended for people who are prone to vertigo.

There is an orientation table at the summit of Puy Mary.

The car, camper van and coach park is slightly below the Pas de Peyrol (signposted).

Instructions:
Due to the fragile nature of the site, please stay on the marked path.
Thank you for helping to preserve the site.

Recommendations:
You are in a mountainous area where weather conditions can change very quickly.
Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress appropriately: walking shoes, warm and waterproof clothing, water, provisions, hiking map, sunscreen, first aid kit, etc

To get the most out of the site, it is advisable to arrive early in the morning (better visibility)

Please note: access is restricted for coaches, motorhomes and lorries

Worth a visit

The Pas de Peyrol visitor centre
In the heart of the Monts du Cantal classified site, the site house tells the story of the volcano: its formation, its transformations and its current appearance. The interior offers a reception and information area, a shop and a free exhibition.
At the gates of the site museum, a footpath takes you to the summit of Puy Mary, where you can enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view with the help of a landscape information panel and listen to the history of the volcano recounted by a guide from the Grand Site.
Opening times of the Puy Mary Site Centre:
Every day from mid-May (depending on the opening of the Col de Pas de Peyrol) to the end of October.
Opening hours:
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (May, June, September)
9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (July, August)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October, November)
Information: +33 (0)6 08 03 35 10

Le Puy Mary
This unique and magical place has been the focus of much attention, particularly since it was listed as a protected site in 1985.

On 28 June 2013, the Grand Site du Puy Mary was recommended for the "Grand Site de France" label, and the official decision by the Ministry of Ecology was obtained in early 2014.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
verolagrande74
verolagrande74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The weather was on our side on 14 October 2025, with Puy Mary and all the mountains visible in a 360-degree panorama. The orientation table was very useful in helping us identify the peaks in such fine weather. We made our way back down without any problems, following a circular path. I was wearing trainers as I hadn't expected to be doing any hill walking, but it was no problem at all – brilliant!

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User 21046462

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A great ride even for beginners

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Randolaguille
Randolaguille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, short and with a breathtaking view at the top. Accessible to anyone in good health (just look at the wide variety of people who climb it). Just take the time you need based on your abilities.

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bernard frantz
bernard frantz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Comfortable climb – only stairs – but breathless (for average retired hikers). By climbing at your own pace, stopping regularly when your heart rate rises, you'll eventually get there without suffering too much. And the reward is worth the effort, both for the sublime scenery and the satisfaction of having accomplished something. Return via the stairs. Total time: 2 hours.

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User 14792538

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb climb with magnificent weather and breathtaking views.

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User 4040604
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful view from the top, not too difficult walk if you start slowly, as the climb becomes harder in the second half. The main difficulty is pacing yourself. Return to the starting point via the same route (concrete steps), which is hard on the knees.
A walk that is well worth the effort.

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Michel56
Michel56

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An ideal short hike for a day out on a motorbike. Superb view from the top of Puy Mary. We preferred to do the loop for the descent (fewer people) instead of retracing our steps.

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Alain Rigaudie
Alain Rigaudie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The Champs Elysées, in the Cantal region, offers beautiful views but is very crowded. A word of advice: start slowly!

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A good warm-up for a man from the plains, to be done in the cool air. The landscape is magnificent

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FIFICB
FIFICB

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike, even if the climb is steep. Beautiful 360-degree view. I recommend the round trip rather than the circuit that returns by road.

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qsglopi
qsglopi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent place, a must-see. I did the circuit backwards, which was a good idea! The climb is tough but beautiful, and the photo stops give you a chance to catch your breath. The concrete descent (stairs) is unpleasant, but the bar-restaurant awaits you at the bottom, with no paved road to climb back up. This hike offers glimpses of many beautiful trails all around on the ridges.
It's essential to wear good shoes (rocks, slopes), and everything is done under the blazing sun, so if you have a choice, avoid hot days.

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Noëlle Muller
Noëlle Muller

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike at the end of a five-day stay in Cantal, where we discovered magnificent landscapes and flowers of all kinds.
The descent down the slopes to get back to the starting point was quite difficult.
I have very fond memories of it.

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Marije5
Marije5

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The main attraction of this hike is the superb view from the top of Puy Mary.
The climb is quite steep, but otherwise unchallenging.

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Ewighol
Ewighol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful climb up the imposing staircase, evidence of the large number of tourists who must pass through here!
The descent on the other side is sometimes a little tricky, but there are fewer people around. It's a shame there isn't a 15-20 km loop passing through Puy Marie.
For information, parking is paid (€3 if I remember correctly).

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mads42
mads42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great outing and many thanks for the clear and accurate directions on your website!!! We climbed up to Puy Mary via the steps in about 25 minutes, at a leisurely pace. The descent via the other side was superb, but not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo or with children, as there are some difficult sections at the start of the descent. As for the weather, despite the (good) forecast in the morning, Puy Mary is still a mountain location... So bring appropriate clothing - it's better to be too warm than too cold - and don't be (too) disappointed if the weather is bad when you arrive, as the walk is really worth it even in bad weather!

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