The 10 most beautiful hikes to do in the Puy-de-Dôme

The Auvergne is an innate playground for nature lovers. Discover a few hikes from the Puy-de-Dôme, all perfect to satisfy your desire for greenery and mountain.

The Puy-de-Dôme is named after a dormant volcano, in other words, a puy. It enjoys a wide natural advantage with the presence of numerous volcanoes, natural regional parks and remarkable mountain ranges.

In other words, it is one of the paradises of the Auvergnats for hikers, amateurs or experts in the matter. This is why we have compiled a list of the best hikes in Puy-de-Dôme.

It is up to you to play, go to the conquest of valleys, ridges and other puys puydômois and take a shot of adrenaline 100% natural!

1. The Puy du Pariou

The Berger Fountain is a small village located at the foot of the Puy Pariou, about 15 kilometres away. Clermont-Ferrand . Thus, it becomes the starting point of this hike that offers you the ascent of this puy.

The Puy Pariou and its 1,200 meters above sea level are among the long list of Auvergnat puys, a symbol of a whole region. At the top, therefore, wait to see a beautiful view of the other puys around and especially on the city of Clermont-Ferrand.

Also, its crater is well hollow and accessible to hikers, so it is ideal to mark a short break or take a snack.

2. The Sancy Crests

The trail of the Crêtes du Sancy is among the most popular and challenging Puy-de-Dôme hikes. It follows a steep and dizzy path, but still sufficiently secure for the passage of hikers.

On the way, you will go through a succession of peaks and puys before arriving at Puy de Sancy (1,885 metres). This is the highest peak of the Mont-Dore massif. A culminating point overlooking the whole valley, a breathtaking view offers you. Enjoy a break and enjoy the surroundings.

Finally, on the way back, you cross the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve, see the Roc de Cuzeau (1,737 meters) and approach the Grande Cascade. In summary, it is a hike rich in discoveries!

3. The Puy de Dôme via the Col de Ceyssat

With her 1 465 meters above sea level , the Puy de Dôme is the highest in the department and gave it its name. Close to Clermont-Ferrand, as many hikes from Puy-de-Dôme, this trail promises a breathtaking and 360° view.

Its zigzag ascent from the Col de Ceyssat may give you some twisting due to its constant denial, but you will not regret it!

In addition to offering a spectacular view from its summit, the Puy de Dôme houses the historical vestiges of the Temple of Mercury, dating from the first millennium's first fruits. But also the TDF tower built in the 1950s, now the symbol of puy.

The lucky ones of you can even see the Mont-Blanc , far from 315 kilometers, the days of very good weather.

4. The Banne d’Ordanche by the Plateau du Guéry

The Banne d’Ordanche is a summit that dominates the city of La Bourboule but also Le Mont-Dore . To visit it you will have to follow the path of one of the most beautiful hikes of the Puy-de-Dôme.

You will first have the chance to walk along Lake Guéry, which feeds the plateau of the same name of a pleasant stream, which you will then explore. It is characterized by large and beautiful expanses, bordered by the Puy de Chantuzet (1,385 metres) south, and of course, the Banne d’Ordanche (1,513 metres) west.

On the return, you will partly cross the forest of Guéry.

5. The Chaudefour Valley

The Natural Reserve of the Chaudefour Valley has settled in the glacial valley of the same name. Its territory protects a large number of animal and plant species, including some endemic species such as Auvergne's dusk jasione, a small flower that grows only 1,500 metres above sea level.

It is lined with a crest composed of several puys, such as the Puy de Sancy or the Puy Ferrand, culminating respectively in 1,885 and 1,854 metres . Through this exceptional hike, enter the natural volcanic of the Auvergne !

The views are beautiful and clear in addition to being panoramic. Also, if you're lucky, you'll be able to cross flies, marmots or chamois!

6. The Biche cascade

Nestled in the Chaudefour Valley, below the Puy de la Perdrix (1,850 metres), the Cascade de la Biche results from the fall of the stream of the same name.

Cascade formed over the millennia, it measures close to 30 metres , barely less than the Great Cascade not far. A true natural work, you can observe its magnificent basaltic organ, on which pure water flows.

Moreover, the flow of this cascade is entirely dependent on the snow melting of the upper mountains. The path to access is made in forest and undergrowth, with some plains or meadows at the moment.

However, due to the slightly wet area, some locations may be slippery So be careful!

7. The Puy de Montchal and Lake Pavin

Like some of the most beautiful hikes in Puy-de-Dôme, this one is in the Volcano Natural Regional Park. You will therefore be surrounded by green domes which form this natural painting typical of the region.

But first, you will start climbing by Lake Pavin, gently but surely. A former crater that has become a lake, it has the peculiarity of being meromic. He thinks of a lake that it is meromic when its banks are too steep to mix surface and depth water under the wind effect.

Then the denial is constant to the Puy de Montchal, at 1,407 metres . A passage near the Creux de Soucy (gouffre) through a undergrowth and you are on the way back!

8. The Saut du Loup waterfall via the Queureuilh waterfall

At the start of the patelin Take-Toi-Garde, go up the side of the plateau of the Angle Farm, along a stream. It will lead you first to the Queureuilh waterfall, in the heart of the forest of the same name. Little high, less than 10 meters, it remains very interesting.

If time has not formed a water vessel, it continues and flows, feeding the stream further.

Then, direction the Saut du Loup cascade, also in its green setting. Less high than the first, it is divided into two flows, whose flow is obviously influenced by the snow melt.

To sum up, this small popular hike will allow you to discover two beautiful waterfalls, in the family, all shattered by the cries of the geais, very present in the corner.

9. The Great Cascade

Following a small trail from the Mont-Dore Baths, join the Grande Cascade, the highest in Auvergne.

The creek that flows from the Cuzeau Roc, a little further south. Despite a distance of less than 4 kilometers, the course remains quite demanding because the positive gap is constant to go, sometimes even steep.

During the ascent, don’t forget to look around you. In addition to the undergrowth, you will have great views of the Mont-Dore Valley and the surrounding mountains.

10. The Puy of the Goules and the cave of Sarcoui

The Puy des Goules and the Puy du Grand Sarcoui are two mountains next to each other. They are both part of the puys chain and are located north of Puy Pariou.

This hike will follow you a single path, with simply forks to access points of interest. From La Fontaine du Berger, this small town very frequented by hikers, start your ascent to the first stage: the cave of Sarcoui.

This cave, once exploited by the merovingians, in addition to being surprising, offers you a first point of view on the plain. Then you will continue to the Puy des Goules from the top of which you will observe the whole valley and the puys around. Notably the Puy de Dôme, Côme or Pariou previously mentioned.