Vallée de Chaudefour walks

Easy walk around the Chaudefour valley.

The very secretive and beautiful Chaudefour valley is a classified natural site, closed up by the steep contours of a glacial cirque. Peaks, needles, plumbs are as many natural defences for an intact and preserved valley.

Discover the Chaudefour Valley, located in the nature park of the same name.

Ascent of the Sancy via the Val de Courre, then descent into the Chaudefour Valley for a return to the resort via the eastern ridges.

A beautiful round-trip hike to explore the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley, passing by its three waterfalls. The trail is not very difficult and the elevation gain is reasonable. You will find plenty of signs and markings along the way.

A pleasant route starting from the Chaudefour Valley, offering the chance to explore the woods of Audiouze and Sarrevielle.

A 4-day hike staying in stopover lodges, so you can sleep in the warmth every night The route takes you along the GR®4 and GR®30 trails through the Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve and the Chaudefour Valley Nature Reserve, where you’ll discover the highest peaks of the Massif Central and magnificent waterfalls, with a short break to relax at Lac Chambon.

Discover the most beautiful valley in the Massif du Sancy, and perhaps even the most beautiful in Auvergne! Unlike many of the hikes in this area, this one only climbs to the ridge at Puy de Champgourdeix to enjoy a superb view of the upper valley and the surrounding mountains, but does not continue on to Sancy. Instead, I suggest you explore the valley further, with its dykes, waterfalls, forest and beautiful meadows.

An easy, family-friendly round-trip hike to admire the Cascade de la Biche, some thirty metres high, which flows over a volcanic rock formation formed by the solidification of a lava flow. In a wild and spectacular setting, the water cascades down superb basalt columns. Starting from the Maison de la Réserve, the route climbs gently up the bottom of the Chaudefour Valley before ascending through the woodland towards the waterfall. This secret and magnificent valley is a listed natural site, enclosed by the steep slopes of a glacial cirque. The path is shaded, sometimes muddy, with a few small streams to cross. To reach the foot of the waterfall, the final section becomes steeper and rockier.

You will pass close to waterfalls at Cheix, Pérouse and Biche, and stop for a quick drink at the Sainte-Anne spring before beginning the ascent of the Puy de Champgourdeix (alt. 1,566 m) and the Perdrix (alt. 1,824 m), with views over the resort of Super Besse.