Saint-Ours walks

A circular route starting from Saint-Ours, through the hamlets of the Saint-Ours countryside between Combrailles and the Chaîne des Puys, featuring a pleasant section through the forest and a visit to an old pozzolan quarry.

Contrasting landscapes of meadows and forests for this circular tour to discover the Puy de Louchadière, on the edge of the Combrailles.Please note! A GPS device is useful for following this hike in the forest sections. Also, be sure to follow the map rather than the various markings encountered along the route.

A double loop around Saint-Ours-les-Roches to discover the typical hamlets of this region of the Combrailles, at the foot of the Chaîne des Puys.

A short hike allowing you to discover many examples of well-preserved built heritage in the hamlets: fountains, wash houses, crosses, and the Louchadière water catchment, passing through woods and meadows.

A hike on the Combrailles side of the Chaîne des Puys, an area less frequented by summer crowds, to discover an old pozzolan quarry and its biotope. Along the way, you will encounter the inhabitants of the pastures and the woods.

A circular route on the border between the Combrailles and the Chaîne des Puys, in the countryside around Saint-Ours, passing by the summit of Puy de Louchadière, offering a beautiful viewpoint, and the lovely beech forest covering its slopes. The Visorando app is highly recommended in the Louchadière forest.

This route allows you to discover three ancient volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys.

From Pontgibaud and the beautiful medieval architecture of Château Dauphin, you will travel through the mysterious landscapes of the Cheire de Pontgibaud, one of the most beautiful lava flows in the Chaîne des Puys.

Since 1992, this pleasant walk has invited visitors to stroll among Gilles Perez's monumental contemporary lava stone sculptures, which blend in with the landscape and nature. Additional sculptures have been added over the years.

A short circular forest loop around Puy de Côme, whose summit is unfortunately not accessible. The route passes by the Bacs de Ceyssat site, a pretty series of drinking troughs (les bacs) fed by a fountain, installed via an aqueduct for sheep.

A hike entirely in the forest, in the unique landscape of the Cheire de Côme. You will be left to your own devices in this mysterious forest, on small unmarked paths for part of the route, wherethe Visorando app is almost essential. The Signed Stone is an enigma, perhaps you can try to solve it.

On this comet-shaped route, discover the solidified lava flow of Côme, a remarkable natural area in the Chaîne des Puys. This lava flow from the Puy de Côme, which stretches for almost 10 km, has solidified into extremely chaotic terrain and has been colonised by a beautiful forest of birch and beech trees. To extend this hike, I suggest you then walk around the Puy de Côme, through the beech forest that covers its slopes.

This circular loop will take you to the summit of Puy des Gouttes, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Chaîne des Puys, then into the countryside near Fontètes, a hamlet with a pretty little chapel. On the way back, you will discover a beautiful row of about twenty drinking troughs in a meadow, the Fontaine des Pères.

"Human noise becomes silent, nature makes volcanoes chatter; whispering landscapes, and whispering a thousand voices of silence". Caption of the beautiful sculpture by Thierry Courtadon that you will encounter on your route, alongside with great viewpoints.

This route starts at the Vulcania crossroads and begins with a long, fairly flat, open path before crossing the forest to reach these two magnificent volcanoes. The route can be done in either direction.

A circular route that is half mountain, half countryside, passing by the summit of Puy des Gouttes before descending towards the Combrailles to discover the hamlet of Beauregard. A leisurely return via a sculpture in Courtadon. SHHH!

Circular loop starting from the village of Mazaye Basse, passing by the Rey de Saint-Pierre, a basalt promontory overlooking the Sioule valley and offering a beautiful panorama of the Sancy Massif and the Chaîne des Puys, then crossing the Marais de Mazaye, a Sensitive Natural Area, via a path built on stilts.

La Roche de Sauterre offers a beautiful location for observing the surroundings and the majestic alignment of the Chaîne des Puys. This basalt peak, the result of volcanic activity, contains inclusions of peridotite, a semi-precious stone.

A very pleasant walk in the oldest part of the Chaîne des Puys. The hamlet of Beaunit is nestled in the hollow of a volcanic maar that was occupied by a lake several hundred thousand years ago.

This hike allows you to discover the "perfect" crater of the Puy des Goules and the much more complex crater of the Puy des Gouttes, with the protrusion of the Puy Chopine. Beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.The Visorando app is recommended for certain unmarked sections.

An easy hike up Puy Pariou and down into its crater. A very pleasant forest at the start and end of the route, with beautiful views of Puy de Dôme on the way back. (3) It is forbidden to descend into the volcano or go all the way round it.

Set off from the foot of the volcanoes and descend to the old Hercynian base of the Plateau des Dôme, right on the edge of the Limagne fault, in peaceful countryside alternating between crops, woods and pastures. There are some beautiful views of the puys to the west and Clermont-Ferrand on the Limagne side to the east.

Short hike to the summit of Grand Sarcoui and the magnificent volcano with its perfect crater, Puy des Goules. A magnificent view of the volcano park from each of the two summits. This hike is not technically difficult and is suitable for families who want to discover the magic of volcanoes. Moderator's note added on 13/09/2021: access to the Sarcoui caves is difficult and the summit is now off-limits (see comments).

A magnificent hike, without any great difficulty, which will take you through the Parc des Volcans north of the Puy de Dôme. You will discover the Sarcoui and its cave, the Puy des Goules, the Puy de Côme, the Cliersou and its caves, the Petit and Grand Knolls, and the grandiose Puy Pariou. At the top of each puy, you can enjoy 360° views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Puy de Dôme, the Limagne plain and Clermont-Ferrand.

Best done on a sunny winter's day, this snowy outing offers magical landscapes. In the woods, the trees, bending under their white blanket, cover the paths with a canopy that creates beautiful light effects. When you emerge at the top of the puys, you are greeted by a magnificent landscape.

A classic in the Chaîne des Puys to admire Puy de Dôme and Le Puy de Pariou, amongst others.

The hike takes place mainly in the woods that cover the cheire, or solidified lava flow, of the Puy de Côme. In addition to the Bacs de Ceyssat, you will discover many other drinking troughs, fountains and wash houses in the village. There are a few views of the Puy de Dôme and Puy de Côme.

In the village of Ceysat, there are numerous hydraulic structures: ponds, fountains, drinking troughs, wash houses, all made of Volvic stone, and even a mineral water spring!

A beautiful circular route passing through three peaks with stunning panoramic views and lovely sections in the forest, starting from the centre of Fontaine du Berger, a car park that is less busy than Parking des Goules. The Visorando app is recommended as some paths are not marked. Very busy in summer.

The hike takes place mainly in the forest that covers the solidified lava flow of Puy de Côme, but there are some beautiful views on the outskirts of Ceyssat. In the village of Ceyssat, discover the Foker Spring and a rich heritage of water-related buildings: fountains, drinking troughs and wash houses.

Short hike to discover the bacs, which are drinking troughs built on the solidified lava flow of Côme for the sheep that were once raised on these summer pastures. The Bacs de Montmeyre were also a favourite site for the Ardents, Resistance fighters from the Chaîne des Puys. A sign tells their story and a memorial stone has been erected in their memory. The route crosses countryside and forest and allows you to discover the small heritage linked to water in the village of Ceyssat.

The discovery of Thierry Courtadon's sculpture "Contempler" is the pretext for this hike starting from the Fontaine du Berger. The route, along the edge of the Limagne fault, takes you through varied landscapes, cultivated fields, wetlands, pastures, summer meadows, woods and forests, as well as villages and hamlets still rich in traditional buildings.

A circular route passing through a must-see of the Chaîne des Puys, the crater of Puy des Goules, which offers a superb panorama, passing by a few curiosities: an old military barracks, an old pozzolan quarry, and a relay antenna cross!

A walk offering beautiful views of the Puy de Dôme and some of its neighbours, as well as a panorama of the Limagne and the Monts du Forez.Please note! This off-trail route through the mountain pastures is only accessible from early December to late April.

This route will take you to the ruins of the Chartreuse du Port-Sainte-Marie, founded in 1219, passing by the banks of the Sioule and its meanders.

A pleasant and easy hike in the Chaîne des Puys. Magnificent views of the Puy de Dôme can be admired.This hike requires two vehicles.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to falling rocks from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

The view is just as pleasant at the top of this legendary trail. A longer but more enjoyable and varied climb than the Sentier des Muletiers.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

Just above Clermont-Ferrand, the inescapable climb to Puy-de-Dôme through the col de Ceyssat is a short but intense hike with an astonishing view over Clermont-Ferrand, the chaîne des Puys, paragliders and Millevaches. Caution, it's a very popular walk so be sure to do it during week days for a bit of peace and quiet.

The Sentier des Muletiers, consisting of fifteen numbered bends spread over the 350 m elevation gain leading to the summit of Puy de Dôme, is the ancient path that led pilgrims to the Temple of Mercury. It offers superb panoramic views throughout the ascent, covering the entire 45 km of the Chaîne des Volcans.Warning! Immediate danger – Rockfalls. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

For hot summer days, this route is almost exclusively in the forest, at the foot of the volcanoes, following in the footsteps of the heroes of the Auvergne Resistance. A few crossings of meadows will offer you beautiful views of the Puy de Dôme.

The southern loop, to be covered on the first day, is easy going except for its length, which is nearly 27 km. This route passes through numerous hills, beautiful forests and the lovely countryside surrounding the hills. Be careful not to get your feet caught in the strings!

A two-day loop hike with accommodation in a camper van in Allagnat.

After a moderate day's hiking, you are now in the most demanding part of the loop of domes, with magnificent views of the Puy de Côme, the Grand Knoll, the Petit Knoll and the Puy de Dôme. You will pass through beautiful forests of beech, conifer and hazel trees, a feast for the eyes!

On the Plateau des Dômes, at the foot of the volcanoes, walk through the countryside from village to village. Two wonderful surprises await you on this route: the beautiful lime tree in the square in front of Olby church and the Foker Spring in the village of Ceyssat.

A walk in the forest along trails, paths and, above all, two magnificent avenues lined with majestic beech trees.

A walk from village to village on the Plateau des Dômes, focusing on rural heritage linked to water: fountains, drinking troughs, wash houses, bridges over the Sioule, canals and springs, ending at the remarkable Chez Pierre water catchment site.

This circular loop starting from Allagnat offers a variety of landscapes: forest paths, summer pastures at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, and a valley with numerous streams. Of note: a pretty castle in Allagnat, a memorial site to the Resistance, and some very beautiful beech trees that will delight tree lovers and paréidolia enthusiasts alike.

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme. This route, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly on flat ground and offers numerous panoramic views. The ascent via the mule track is steep but fairly short.Warning! Immediate danger – falling rocks. Due to rockfalls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

A magnificent hike to the summits of the iconic Puy-de-Dôme and Puy Pariou. This route, on very well-maintained paths, is mainly on flat ground and offers numerous panoramic views.Warning! Immediate danger – Rock falls. Due to rock falls from the cliffs, the Chemin des Muletiers is STRICTLY closed until further notice by municipal decree of the commune of Orcines.

At the foot of the Puy de Dôme, take the Chemin des Gouris, named after the young shepherds who once accompanied the cows to the summer pastures, to discover the Puy Pariou crater and its slopes covered with a beautiful beech forest. Further on, explore a few caves before taking the beautiful Chemin des Gravouses to cross the Fontmagnie Forest.

A very accessible ascent of the Puy de Dôme, despite the elevation gain. After the beautiful 'Chemins de la Roche Pertuisade and des Gravouses', which winds through pastures and woods at the foot of the puy, climb the Chemin des Chèvre, then the old road now used by the cog railway. Descent to the South via the Chemin des Muletiers, then back via the Chemin des Gouris.

Starting from Font de l'Arbre, on the D942, right at the foot of Puy de Dôme, take a short hike to discover the essentials of Auvergne: traditional houses, fountains, wash houses, drinking troughs, streams, springs, basalt columns, Roman milestones, and even a sheepfold... not to mention the cheeses on sale at the Village Auvergnat.

A grand tour of the Puy de Dôme allows you to admire this local landmark from multiple angles. The ascents of the Grand Knoll and Cliersou, peaks overlooked by most hikers, offer beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.

Close to Clermont-Ferrand, walk through meadows and woodland on beautiful paths, such as the Chemin des Crêtes and an ancient Roman road. You can also discover basalt columns and pretty fountains. At the end of the hike, the beautiful forest trails were transformed into wide tracks at the end of 2022. Some of the landmarks mentioned in the description are therefore missing.

A circular route at the foot of the Puy de Dôme with, in the first part, a walk along forest paths, then a route through the villages of Orcines to discover beautiful wash houses, still in use, made of Volvic stone.