Vernines walks

A loop on the Plateau de Dôme, starting from Vernines and passing through several hamlets where the inhabitants have preserved the traditional way of life, with fountains, wash houses, blacksmith's forges and communal ovens. A few sections on small roads at the end of the route, which are very quiet and offer unobstructed views of the Chaîne des Puys.

Take quiet paths to discover one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne. This route offers beautiful landscapes and passes through hamlets rich in beautiful farms, fountains and wash houses.

A circular starting from Lac de Servières takes you to the ridges, where you will have magnificent views of Lac de Guéry, La Banne d'Ordanche and the Sancy ridges. The climb is gentle on a forest road and the descent follows theGR®30trail, where walking poles will come in handy.

Walk around one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Auvergne. In addition to the basilica, you will discover a pretty hamlet, Saint-Martin-de-Tours, a rocking stone, and also, on the heights, a magnificent panorama of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy.

Hike on the high plateau of Pessade offering beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy, with the Labadeau stream as your guide from its source to Saulzet-le-Froid.

A very beautiful and varied hike, between 1,300 and 1,500 m, which can be completed in half a day, in medium-altitude mountains (pastures, forests, peaks). Superb 360° panorama of the Sancy mountains and the Dômes chain. Good paths.Bring a map or GPS, essential for the return journey through the forest.

Stage 3 of the "Between Puy de Sancy and Monts Dore" route. A very pretty stage, starting with a route at the bottom of the valley and ending with passages along the ridges of the various puys before Mont-Dore.

On the Plateau des Dôme, a circular route passing through traditional villages, a beautiful castle and a pretty site on the banks of the Sioule, offering beautiful views of the Chaîne des Puys.

An easy hike with one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the region, overlooking both the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy Massif. Between May and October, sheep graze on these puys, much to the delight of young and old alike!

This is an easy hike that allows you to explore the Puy de Vichatel, whose crater is the second deepest in the Chaîne des Puys. You are allowed to go down inside! From the summit, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the other puys further south, Lake Aydat and the Sancy massif.

An easy and enjoyable hike on this little-visited volcano. Despite the path being in the woods, there are several viewpoints offering views of both the other volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys and the Sancy massif. A good option for hot days.

After a fairly challenging first section through the woods, the second part of the circuit is more peaceful and higher up, offering magnificent views of the Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, real geological curiosities, and the tranquil valley of the Ruisseau de Fontsalade.

This large loop around the Maison du Parc des Volcans will take you past fourteen puys, some small and discreet, others more imposing and some very well known and popular. Set off to discover 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: 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 car park (2)

From the Chaîne des Puys, descend through pastures and valleys in 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)

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

On the western side of the Chaîne des Puys, this fairly easy walk offers varied landscapes. On the Plateau des Dôme, there are wide 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)

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

A short loop to discover some aspects of the landscape improvements made by the Comte de Montlosier at the end of the 18th century to promote agriculture in a volcanic area that was not very suitable for this activity. Please note: the Montlosier car park is closed for works between August 2025 and 2027. Parking is available along the road or in a small area near (3)

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.

A beautiful climb through undergrowth from Mareuge, on the heights of the upper Monne valley, a stream that rises from the Puys de Baladou and Védrine brooks. From the heights, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the Monts Dore, the Chaîne and the Plateau des Puys. Traditional architecture and heritage in the villages of Mareuge and Pessade.

Go back 8,600 years, to the day when two young volcanoes were born, the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas. Their two lava flows joined together as they flowed eastwards and met the River Veyre. After a battle that was lost before it even began, the bubbling river was diverted eastwards, creating two lakes, Aydat and Cassière.

A hiking trail in the Auvergne summer pastures, on a summit overlooking the spa resort of La Bourboule.

The Lac de Guéry, of volcanic origin, is the starting point for this hike. At 1244 m, it is the highest lake in Auvergne. Along the way, you'll follow the ridge to the Lac de Servières. ⚠️Please note that the route of the GR® 30 has been modified since 2022, and several sections have been changed and no longer correspond with the IGN maps.

Short hike in the Ruisseau de la Graille valley, with a passage over the top of a waterfall, then a return via the mountain pastures, home to cows.

A short hike to climb two volcanoes with their typical open craters to delight amateur geologists and curious hikers. A beautiful view from the top of the Puy de Lassolas on over the Chaîne des Puys to the north and Monts Dore to the south.

A short circuit that can also complement another hike. This route is in the woods, flat, and on well-maintained trails.

For anyone from Auvergne, the Col de la Croix Morand is inextricably linked to Jean-Louis Murat, who sang about it better than anyone else (and who was also the only one to do so!). Starting from the pass and heading south, you walk along the ridges and cross a few puys in a magnificent setting of wide open spaces and panoramic views of the volcanic Auvergne, witha"deep feeling" of freedom.

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.

On the heights of Murol and Lac Chambon, discover the Rajat caves, Murol Castle, the Cirque and the Dent du Marais, as well as the villages of Chautignat and Beaune-le-Froid.

Visit a must-see in the region, Lake Chambon, starting from the village of Beaune-le-Froid, on the heights preserved from tourist crowds. Pass by some beautiful viewpoints.

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!

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.

A beautiful hike to discover the two neighbouring puys, with a refreshing approach walk. The view from the top is remarkable! Please note: Access to the summits of 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.

Starting from Laschamps near Puy de Dôme, the route takes you to the village of Beaune le Chaud, then onto theGR®®4andGR®®30to climb the Puy de Lassolas and Puy de la Vache with magnificent panoramic views, before reaching La Cassière and its lake. Please note: Access to the summits of Puys de la Vache and Lassolas will be closed for works between spring 2026 and early 2028. Please note: the Montlosier car park will be closed for works between August 2025 and 2027.

A very pleasant short hike for beginners with breathtaking views of the Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys. Description and route updated by moderator on 13 May 2024.

A beautiful hike that takes you to three stunning waterfalls and magnificent panoramic views of the Sancy massif and, further afield, the Chaîne des Puys.

Discover two beautiful waterfalls just a stone's throw from Mont-Dore. A very pleasant walk in the heart of the forest, perfect for digesting your Sunday lunch. You can admire the two waterfalls of Queureuilh and Rossignolet.

A circuit that forms a figure of 8 around Lac Chambon, with panoramic views of the lake and the Sancy range, the Valley of Chaudefour and a section through Murol via its castle.

Mountain bike ride in the Sancy massif, under the shadow of the Puy de Dôme.

This is a shaded hike with very little traffic on three-quarters of the route. You can contemplate the beauty of nature. Pass through the undergrowth on wide footbridges to discover the marshy areas and viewpoints over Lake Chambon, not forgetting to take a look at the Monts du Sancy and the rock of La Dent des Marais.

A lovely circular 20 km loop, mostly in the sun, so it can be done even in winter. Start and finish in the town centre at the Hôtel de Russie. Note: a 2 km section along the road to Lac de Guery is not very interesting but unavoidable. Moderator update: 25 June 2024

This circuit will take you from Mont-Dore to discover the Puy de Sancy (the highest peak in the Massif Central) and its ridges.

The beginning, with the steps, is a little difficult, but the rest is really calm in the middle of nature, surrounded by magnificent gigantic trees, not forgetting that there are the sounds of the city to remind us that we're close to it. Further on, we see the city below in a bowl, and the sounds of nature have completely taken over, making it relaxing.

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 view is still as pleasant as ever at the top of this legendary climb. It is a longer but more enjoyable and varied climb than the Sentier des Muletiers.

A hike around the largest dome in the Chaîne des Puys. Views and openings on all sides, surrounded by forests and summer pastures on the Traversin section, the central point of the chain between Puy de Dôme and Puy du Pariou.

The summit of Capucin, starting from Mont Dore, is one of the first summits accessible from the town, offering a superb panorama and a breath of fresh air. You can also see the Capucin Funicular, the oldest electric funicular in France.

Starting from La Bourboule, this hike follows the spring trail along the banks of the Dordogne. Halfway through, you can either retrace your steps or go via Rigolet Bas as described below. This hike allows you to discover thermal springs such as the Félix Spring and the Croizat Spring.

North of Saint-Nectaire, the Plateau de Sailles offers beautiful views of Murol and the Couze Chambon valley. You will discover an ancient troglodyte settlement and some of the megaliths that dot the area around the village, known for its beautiful Romanesque church and cheese.