Tour of Lake Aydat

A charming walk around the lake with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding hills and modern buildings that blend in perfectly with the setting.

Details

1249721
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.55 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 269 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 246 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,881 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,726 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Several car parks are available along the route. We parked near the campsite entrance, at the northern tip.

(S/E) Start the walk in an anti-clockwise direction.
Start on the pavement, then at the first set of steps, head down to water level and follow the path.
Pass beneath a ramp providing access from the road, cross a stretch of beach to reach the water sports centre.

(1) A shortcut allows you to cross it and continue along the banks to reach a locked gate.

(2) Go round it, walking right next to the water. (Not suitable for pushchairs).
(3) Continue along the riverbanks, crossing the wetland via the network of footbridges. Take the opportunity to admire the flora and fauna, as well as the information provided. In the surrounding area, note a few contemporary villas that blend in well with the landscape.
In this area, do not try to get closer to the riverbank, as there is no way through; instead, head towards and go round the church,

(4) Take the first road on the left, the Poudure D90a.
Follow this road as it climbs slightly; enjoy the view of the lake and the surrounding hills.
Pass through the hamlet of Poudure and follow the path opposite for about 300 metres,

(5) Turn left onto the path that will take you closer to the lake. You’ll reach the water’s edge in the bay to the south-east of the lake; continue along the path to reach the Pont de l’Arche.

(6) Follow a tarmac road for 120 metres until you reach the first junction.
Turn left, then 100m further on, left again (almost due north) for 15m, to take a path opposite heading north-west.
After 20m, at the junction of the paths, take the left-hand branch and continue to the road (D90); the car park is right next to it (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,753 ft - Car park near the campsite entrance - Lac d'Aydat
  2. 1 : mi 0.39 - alt. 2,759 ft - Water sports centre
  3. 2 : mi 0.48 - alt. 2,753 ft - Gate at the water sports centre exit
  4. 3 : mi 0.73 - alt. 2,753 ft - Wetland area of the - Veyre (la, affluent de l'Allier)
  5. 4 : mi 1.11 - alt. 2,779 ft - Church
  6. 5 : mi 1.73 - alt. 2,831 ft - Path junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.65 - alt. 2,749 ft - Pont de l'Arche - Veyre (la, affluent de l'Allier)
  8. S/E : mi 3.55 - alt. 2,753 ft - Car park near the campsite entrance

Notes

Wear hiking boots, as some areas can be slippery. There aren’t really any water sources.
Walking poles are not essential.

Worth a visit

The church at Aydat is on your route; overall, the region is full of remarkable sites and buildings.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
TROVAN
TROVAN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy family walk;
Beautiful colours in a lovely setting.

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toto63
toto63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route isn’t very busy at this time of year, but it’s still enjoyable thanks to the lovely weather. It’s fairly easy to follow, though there were a few moments when I wasn’t quite sure which way to go – but there’s no risk of getting lost. Beautiful scenery all around the lake. An interesting walk. There’s a lovely church in Aydat.

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RandonEure06
RandonEure06

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Poorly marked route.
We only walked around the wetland area

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DidierRando26
DidierRando26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Weekday hike in August. Very nice trail, no particular difficulties. Avoid pushchairs, as there are lots of stones and slopes on the trail. The gate at the end of the base is closed, but you can walk along the lake without getting your feet wet. After point 6, I preferred to follow the lake shore, passing behind the campsite. The trail is great, with footbridges to cross the water. Lots of viewpoints. Take the time to enjoy the wetland between points 3 and 4. Beautiful church in Aydat. I recommend it.

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jloup63
jloup63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice, peaceful walk.

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André Marcu
André Marcu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Very good. Nice and easy, well-designed course. Very pleasant setting.

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claudekiko
claudekiko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, partly along the water's edge with views of the surrounding mountains and sections through woodland.

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Fredetcat
Fredetcat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As a novice, the guidance was perfect and the hiking information was also excellent.

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Mamymosa
Mamymosa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful hike with stunning views

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PERRET Marie-Noëlle
PERRET Marie-Noëlle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant walk, a few hesitations at the base. Nautical.

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veronb
veronb

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It seems to me that the description of the walk is no longer up to date because it is impossible to walk along the lake beyond the water sports centre, where you cannot get around the gate in question, with or without a pushchair. This is what we were told by someone we spoke to at the water sports centre after turning back. This doesn't change much because you have to go back onto the road, which has a path protected from cars for walking. The person at the water sports centre also seemed to say that the view is better if you go clockwise. Apart from that, it's a pleasant walk with alternating sections in the shade and in the sun

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oponcin
oponcin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The tour of the lake in pictures: https://youtu.be/3TCmbiwuhhw?si=6mGavFVq...
taken at the end of November: few people around

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AUDI62
AUDI62

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and easy hike, but not particularly interesting.
It's a shame that you can't see much of the lake during the walk.
Many walkers do the route in the opposite direction because the signs point that way.
At point 6, we took the dotted line on the map towards the Femme rock.

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deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We did the route in the cool morning and only saw four mountain bikers. It was an easy, pleasant route with plenty of shade. We just missed the trail in the village (we followed the road)

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Ellerima
Ellerima

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Nice and easy route

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