Tower and summit of Puy de Vichatel

Park in the Col de la Ventouse car park on the D2089. Information board about Puy de Vichatel near the small circular building: the route of the hike is marked on the board and its technical characteristics are listed below.

Blue markings

(S/E) Head towards the stairs and the D2089. Climb the stairs following the direction "Laschamps" indicated on a sign and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, taking extreme care.
On the other side, turn left onto the path along the road (this is not the most pleasant part, but it is not dangerous). The path then veers away from the road and reaches a fork.

(1) Keep to the right and ignore the path on the left, then another one a little further on. Climb gradually into the forest that covers the slopes of Puy de Vichatel and arrive at the crater.

(2) Take the path on the right towards "Accès sommet" (summit access). At the top, continue (panoramic view) then descend via another path towards "Accès cratère" (crater access).

(3) Back at the crater, follow the path on the right which descends and reaches an intersection at the edge of the D2089.

(4) Follow the path along the road towards "Stationnement de la Ventouse". Find the pedestrian crossing. Cross again with extreme caution to return to the car park (S/E).

Easy hike, standard hiking equipment required.

Caution! Crossing the D2089 as safely as possible requires walking along an unpleasant path close to this road. Crossing requires vigilance.

Col de la Ventouse car park: toilets, picnic tables.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app in Puy-de-Dôme here

Photo album here

Note the beautiful beech tree at the summit of Puy de Vichatel. Panorama of the Sancy massif.

Information about Puy de Vichatel here