Walk around the Étang de Montlosier via the Puys

de fr

A walk around the small Étang de Montlosier, passing by three puys: the Puy de Lassolas, the Puy de la Vache and the Puy de Vichatel. Magnificent views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy.

Please note: Access to the summits of the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028

Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or at the Col de la Ventouse lay-by near (9)

Details

n°404936
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.76 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,801 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,801 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,881 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,117 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Maison du Parc des Volcans in Montlosier.

Please note! This route is not signposted as such.

(S/E) Head north-east along the road, following the sign for “Puy de Lassolas” and the Yellow Disc markings. Continue to follow these markings when the path turns left.

(1) At the junction, turn right onto a lovely path through the woods, following the sign for Lassolas.

(2) Join theGR®®4/30/441(red and white markings). Follow it to the left. Ignore the first path that climbs to the right towards the Puy de la Vache.

(3) At a beautiful beech tree, the roots of which are protected, turn right towards the summit of Puy de Lassolas. The path runs perpendicular to the contour lines and the climb is quite steep. Further up, the path turns eastwards and joins the ridge of Puy de Lassolas. Continue along the ridge, heading east.

(4) Before reaching the end of the ridge, take a path that descends to the left (marked with a yellow butterfly). Further on, climb up some steps towards the summit of Puy de la Vache.

(5) Continue all the way along the ridge. At the end, descend via the steps. Much further down, when the steps end, continue for about 200m to reach a junction.

(6) Turn right. You will reach the adventive crater of the Puy de la Vache, which was once used as a quarry. After exploring the area, return to the path.

(6) Follow the path due east. You will reach a car park on the D5 and spot the red and white markings of the GR®® trails.

(7) Cross the D5 and continue straight ahead on theGR®®. About 200m further on, ignore the path on the left leading towards Fontfreyde, then, just after that, at the crossroads, leave theGR®® markings and turn right. Continue through the beech forest.

(8) Further on, as the path approaches the D2089, ignore a path on the left that joins the road.

(9) As the path joins the D2089 to cross to the other side, do not cross the road but leave this path and turn onto the first hairpin bend to the right, which heads northwards. The path climbs up to the Puy de Vichatel.

(10) At the crater, turn left towards the summit of the puy via a lovely path with hairpin bends. You’ll reach the ridge at a pasture. Continue westwards to find another path that leads back down towards the crater.

(11) Back at the crater, turn left.

(12) Further on, at the junction, continue to the right through the pastures to reach the Étang de Montlosier.

(13) Continue straight on to reach, on the other side of the D5, the car park of the Maison du Parc des Volcans (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,176 ft - Car park at the Maison du Parc des Volcans
  2. 1 : mi 0.45 - alt. 3,251 ft - To the right through the woodland
  3. 2 : mi 1.19 - alt. 3,248 ft - Turn left onto the GR
  4. 3 : mi 1.62 - alt. 3,356 ft - Head up to the right - Puy de Lassolas
  5. 4 : mi 2.36 - alt. 3,714 ft - Head down to the left
  6. 5 : mi 2.63 - alt. 3,724 ft - Continue along the ridge - Puy de la Vache
  7. 6 : mi 3.19 - alt. 3,301 ft - Adventive crater of Puy de la Vache
  8. 7 : mi 3.46 - alt. 3,212 ft - Continue straight ahead on the GR
  9. 8 : mi 4.81 - alt. 3,117 ft - Ignore the path on the left
  10. 9 : mi 5.15 - alt. 3,166 ft - Right-hand hairpin bend
  11. 10 : mi 5.62 - alt. 3,376 ft - Head left towards the summit
  12. 11 : mi 6.53 - alt. 3,376 ft - Turn left
  13. 12 : mi 6.99 - alt. 3,176 ft - Continue to the right
  14. 13 : mi 7.5 - alt. 3,136 ft - Straight ahead
  15. S/E : mi 7.76 - alt. 3,176 ft - Car park at the Maison du Parc des Volcans

Notes

Moderate difficulty hike, with a fairly steep climb up Lassolas. Standard hiking kit, possibly including one or two walking poles

The Puys de Lassolas and de la Vache are very popular. I recommend doing this hike in the direction described here, starting with the climb up to Lassolas early in the day when there are fewer people. Furthermore, this climb, which is quite steep, is not recommended when it is very hot.
The rest of the route is much quieter.

Worth a visit

Discover more hikes in this area, with descriptions or via the Visorando app, here

Information on the Auvergne volcanoes is available at the Maison des Volcans in Montlosier.

Beautiful panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Sancy massif and the Montlosier site.

The Puys de Lassolas and de la Vache are unique volcanoes known as ‘egueulés’ (with gaping craters). The Puy de Vichatel has a more ‘tame’ and classic crater. From the top of this small puy, there is a beautiful view of the Puys de Lassolas and de la Vache, with the Puy de Dôme in the background.

Note the beautiful trees in the forests you pass through.

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Alizée Dml
Alizée Dml

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did the hike with our two dogs in very pleasant weather! We did the route in the opposite direction, also starting from point 7, which allowed us to take advantage of the stairs to climb the Puy de la Vache. It was a really pleasant tour, and we passed a few people, but nothing insurmountable, and no one at Puy de Vichatel.
Thank you for a great hike

Machine-translated

Geraldine D
Geraldine D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I've just completed this superb hike using the GPS track. I found the climb up to Puy de Lassolas particularly difficult and slippery, but the site is well worth the effort. The Puy de la Vache is very busy this summer. I find it quite surprising to have one part of the site, wild and demanding (Lassolas) and another part that is very well developed and easy to access. In short, it's a nice change of pace from the Sancy. A lot of walking in the undergrowth, but given the high temperatures this morning, that was a good thing. The lower part of the Puy de la Vache with the quarry is surprising and lots of parents with young children are enjoying the site. It's a shame that people don't respect the instructions and pick up stones....When it came to the puy de Vichatel, I regretted the proximity of the road and the noise, but it's an absolute must to go up there. The Puy de Vichatel crater just before the climb is quite remarkable. In short, this route was a nice surprise, although I'd classify the first part as difficult. Thank you for this wonderful hike. A Touraine from Auvergne.

Machine-translated

Jacqueline B
Jacqueline B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice walk, the views are magnificent, done at the end of May so not many people.

Machine-translated

GaDur
GaDur

Thanks for the clarification.
We didn't see a sign to that effect, but perhaps we missed it?

Machine-translated

grandin
grandin ★

GaDur
When I described this hike, the path up to the summit of Puy de Lassolas was forbidden to descend to slow down the erosion process. The prohibition sign must have disappeared...

Machine-translated

GaDur
GaDur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Done with two children aged 5 and 7.
We preferred to start at point 7, where there's a car park, and begin by climbing the twin Puys, and after the hike we were delighted with our choice!
In our opinion, it's better to climb the stairs of Puy de la Vache than to descend them, and, above all, the passage between Puy de la Vache and Puy de Lassolas is better done in the opposite direction to the description, as the slope of Puy de la Vache is steep and the terrain quite slippery (more comfortable to descend).
I agree with the previous reviewer that the Puy de Vichatel is perfect for a picnic as it is much less frequented.
Otherwise, it's a very pleasant walk and the view of the 3 puys is worth it!
In short, no regrets!
And thanks to the author!

Machine-translated

PA12
PA12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very fine route that passes through 3 puys with some very fine viewpoints. A lot of people on the first 2 summits (in August ...) but the puy de Vichatel is quiet and not without merit for the view. The path between points 6 and 7 is a bit monotonous (don't forget to visit the Ribbe Haute cave) but in the shade.
Thank you very much!

Machine-translated

RANDOCVJYT55
RANDOCVJYT55

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Group outing (8 people). I did the walk in the morning and it was already hot. I can confirm that the climb up to Lassolas is very tough. The stairs up and down the Puy de la Vache are very demanding. Magnificent volcanic bombs in the quarry at the foot of La Vache. The crossing of the Haute Cheyre is very pleasant. We deliberately skipped the Puy de Vichatel. Magnificent views on the way up the 2 twins and always a vastness in front of you with distant horizons.

Machine-translated

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

The first half, passing by the Puys de Lassolas and de la Vache, is magnificent but very busy in summer. The second half gives you a chance to rediscover the peace and quiet, with a fine view of the Puy de Vichatel, perfect for a picnic.

Machine-translated

baboutravel
baboutravel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb tour! We really enjoyed it. The views are really splendid. Very busy route this July, but the second part of the walk was empty, in charming undergrowth. The climbs up to the puy are quite cardio-packed
thank you for this beautiful trail! And what's more, it's all on small paths, a real pleasure.

Machine-translated

henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for your comment

On the other hand, there is very little signposting

The signposting does not depend on Visorando.

The Google maps application can be a complement for orientation.

But the Visorando GPS application for hiking is the best.

https://www.visorando.com/article-mode-d-...

A+

Machine-translated

christine21000
christine21000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice hike, even if the weather didn't allow many viewpoints (many clouds). However, there is very little signposting to get to Puy de Vichatel from the RD crossing and the car park. The Google maps application can help you find your way. I was lucky enough to meet some hikers who confirmed my position, so I made it back safely 😀

Machine-translated

grandin
grandin ★

Thank you, Estelle, for your constructive comments. I've added an indication at (9). As for the ridge at (4), the description should be consistent with the route, but I think that everyone extends to the end at this point ...

Machine-translated

The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

francoisblanchet@free.fr
francoisblanchet@free.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I've already given my opinion, and had some corrections made by the author (change of route for the GR 440).

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Gorce Valley

Visorando Member
↔13.04 mi ↗+1,204 ft ↘-1,204 ft ◔7h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
From the Chaîne des Puys, descend through pastures and valleys into the Gorce stream valley. Beautiful views of the Sancy Massif and the Chaîne des Puys. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or start from Nébouzat (11).

Walking La Randanne and the Étang de Montlosier

Visorando Member
↔10.60 mi ↗+564 ft ↘-564 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
The Randanne stream and the pond it feeds are inextricably linked to the work of the Comte de Montlosier on an estate where he radically altered the landscape. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. You can park along the road or in a small space near (15), or in Aurières (9), near the cemetery, just a short distance from the circuit

Walking In the footsteps of the Count of Montlosier

Visorando Member
↔1.02 mi ↗+39 ft ↘-39 ft ◔0h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
A short circular route to discover some aspects of the landscape developments carried out by the Count of Montlosier at the end of the 18th century to promote agriculture in a volcanic area not particularly suited to this activity. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for renovation between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or in a small area near (3).

Walking Tour of the Pourcharet and Montjuger peaks

Visorando Member
↔7.04 mi ↗+561 ft ↘-541 ft ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
A loop through woods and meadows at the foot of the puys, passing by the viewpoint at the Chapelle de Recoleine. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road.

Walking Stroll from puy to puy around Montlosier

Visorando Member
↔12.58 mi ↗+791 ft ↘-791 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
This long circular route around the Maison du Parc des Volcans will take you past the foot of fourteen puys, some small and unassuming, others more imposing, and some very well-known and popular. So set off to explore the puys of Vichatel, Charmont, La Toupe, Boursoux, La Combegrasse, La Rodde, L’Enfer, Montchal, Montgy, Montjuger, Pourcharet, Montreillet, Lassolas and La Vache. Please note: Access to the summits of the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027.

Walking Between the Plateau and the Chaîne des Dômes

Visorando Member
↔10.33 mi ↗+646 ft ↘-653 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
On the western side of the Chaîne des Puys, this fairly easy walk offers varied landscapes. On the Plateau des Dôme, there are large agricultural areas around Aurières, interspersed with the Gigeole and Gorce valleys. At the foot of the Puy de Pourcharet, Montjuger and Montchal, there are large summer pastures and forests. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road. There is also a large car park at the entrance to Aurières, near the cemetery (4).

Walking Les solidified lava flows via Lac de la Cassière

Visorando Member
↔9.10 mi ↗+597 ft ↘-577 ft ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
The hike takes place mainly in the forest that covers the Cheires Hautes, an ancient solidified lava flow from the Puy de la Vache and Puy de Lassolas, passing by Lac de la Cassière, an ideal place for a break, just over halfway along the route.

Walking Tower and summit of Puy de Vichatel

Visorando Member
↔2.08 mi ↗+433 ft ↘-433 ft ◔1h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme)
Walk dedicated to exploring the small Puy de Vichatel: its slopes covered with mixed forest, its crater, and its summit reached by a beautiful trail offering a stunning panorama.The only downside to this hike is its proximity to the D2089 at the start and end of the route.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.