6 hikes to do with children (from 4-6 years old): cave, puys or waterfalls
Florian Meyer • January 21, 2023
Discover six new hikes accessible with children from 4-6 years old to explore caves in St-Nectaire, the top of a puy in Sancy, waterfalls in Besse, the Pic du Capucin, the Dent du Marais in Murol or the Puy des Goules crater.
5 other hikes of the same level are already presented on our site.
- Caves of Châteauneuf (15-20 min from the campsite). Discover these old troglodyte dwellings , which were even surmounted by a fortified castle, of which we can guess some vestiges! The hike lasts about 2 hours without great difficulty except for two or three good climbs. The view from the caves allows you to admire St-Nectaire below but also the castle of Murol and the Sancy massif (well, it seems, because we were in the fog the day of our walk!).
Details of the hike on Balirando (with children we advise you to start from the church of St-Nectaire to avoid the first climb)
- Le Puy de la Tâche
(20 min from the campsite). To be done in good weather, because the view is extraordinary throughout the hike and offers a 360° panorama from the summit! The entire Sancy massif is available to you, but also the lakes of Guéry and Chambon, the chain of puys... We can even guess the campsite. The hike is marked and in the form of a round trip from the Col de la Croix Morand. The outward journey is therefore a constant climb to the summit and the return descent. The children should pass the obstacle without problem by taking your time on the climb (and promising a crepe at the buron du col on the way back?)
- Chiloza Waterfalls
(25 min from the campsite). A beautiful walk, particularly pleasant on hot days thanks to the shade of the forest and the coolness of the river gorges. If the beginning of the hike is of little interest, the continuation is sublime with a succession of small and large waterfalls in a kind of canyon! The steep path on this part will awaken in children the instinct of adventurers... In several places it is possible to approach the torrent to play there.
- La Dent du Marais in Murol , 2h15 walk, departure 15 minutes from the campsite . A beautiful loop for this hike which takes us near the banks of Lake Chambon but above all discovers a very beautiful panorama of the lake and the Sancy massif . The walk is accessible, without any particular difficulty apart from the approximately 220m difference in altitude, climbed in one go between the village of Murol and the summit of the Dent du Marais , passing near the Chateau de Murol. Signs will help you discover the legend surrounding this rocky needle, formerly called the "Virgin's Leap"... A good part of the hike is in the woods, so pleasant even in the sun.
- Puy des Goules and Grand Sarcoui cave , 1h45 walk, departure 25 minutes from the campsite . The start of the walk is from the same car park as the famous Puy de Pariou but the attendance is much lower, yet the crater is magnificent and it is still authorized to enter it! The round trip does not present any real difficulty, apart from a good climb up to the crater. From up there, the view is breathtaking over the surrounding volcanoes: Pariou, Puy de Dôme, Puy de Côme... On the way back, you will pass through the Grand Sarcoui cave which served as a quarry for sarcophagi in the Middle Ages .
Details of the 1h45 hike (marked and displayed on site)
- Pic du Capucin, with or without the funicular,
1h30 to 2h walk, departure 25 minutes from the campsite . Start this adventure by taking the Capucin funicular , you will take yourself back to the past century with the oldest electric funicular in France . The hike then begins at the Salon du Capucin and begins with a section of path on an old road (not necessarily the most pleasant) in the forest until reaching an old buron. You will then attack the last part of the ascent, on a winding and steeper path. Arriving at the summit of Capucin offers an exceptional panorama over the entire Sancy massif! The return takes the same route. It is possible to go back down on foot without taking the funicular on the way back.
As with all hikes, going on a walk with children requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking shoes...) and warm clothes in the bag (most of these walks are more than 1000m above sea level). Also think of a water bottle and a small snack to motivate the troops!
- Puy de la Combegrasse, the essential in an hour! It's the ride to do even if you only spend one night at the campsite. Count a good hour including a nice little coast to climb the Puy but without major difficulty. And the climb is worth the detour: at the top you will have a 360 ° panorama on the chain of Puys and on the Sancy massif (with 2 orientation tables). It is also a very beautiful place to admire the sunset (provide hot clothes)! This hike is accessible to children, from 3 years old, taking its time. Please note, dogs are not allowed during summer periods, from May to October. As a bonus: the brochure "I discover the Puy de Combegrasse" (available at the reception of the campsite) The Puy de Combegrasse hike (beware here the departure is not a campsite) want to extend the pleasure? Add the Puy de l'Enfer and the Espinasse Narses after the Puy de la Combegrasse. Or about 3 hours of walking (10km, yellow markup) still from the campsite. This hike offers great discoveries with in particular the amazing Espinasse Narse, an old crater at the foot of the Puy de l'Enfer, which has long been haunted! You will also be entitled to sublime panorama on the Puys channel. Details of the Balirando hike. - Puy de Vichatel, a magnificent crater in 2:30 am! It is the second deepest crater in the Puys chain after Puy Pariou), and it is possible to go inside, a great experience! A large part of the hike is in wood (very pleasant the sunny days) with beautiful views at the top. The ride lasts about 2:30 or 3 hours with children, on very practicable paths. The route is not marked out from the campsite but you cannot get lost with an IGN card or a GPS application. The course is available is line. - Puy de la Rodde, a hike of about 1 hour (3.3km) partly in the undergrowth, so very pleasant in hot weather! This volcano opposite the entrance to the campsite was the subject of arrangements in 2025 which allow to benefit from very beautiful panoramas on the Sancy massif and the chain of Puys but also to guess its crater at the top. The path is well practicable and accessible without problem with children. A new essential in the sector! Puy de la Rodde hiking route departing from the campsite - Puys de la Vache de Lassolas, the twins in one day! Go with the picnic to discover these two beautiful twin craters. On the menu: glowing pozzolan and panoramas of the exceptional on the chain of Puys! To take advantage of it you will have to face two beautiful ribs and a lot of stairs. Our little advice: climb by Puy de Lassolas, because his path is in a pozzolan, very slippery on the descent. On your way you will also come across the Puys de Charmont and La Rodde. To discover these Puys with young children, prefer the departure of the parking lot provided for this purpose. Proposals for a 16km loop between the campsite and the Puys de la Vache and Lassolas or a longer alternative with an 18.5 km course from the campsite. - Lac de Servières, a day discovery! This lake was formed in a volcano crater and offers a still wild landscape. The hike to access it from the campsite is a round trip without any particular difficulty with several beautiful views. It is possible to eat along the way to Pessade. The hike of about 19 km is done by following the white and red marking of the GR from the campsite.
Our advice for hiking with young children (from 3 years old) in the Puy de Dôme: Puy de combegrasse, Lac Pavin, Lac de Servière, Mont Dore waterfall...
Giant zip line, via ferrata, tree climbing, e-foil, paragliding, summer tobogganing... Sensational activities around the campsite in Aydat in the Puy de Dôme (from 3 years old)
Want to go down a river in a canoe or kayak? Two possibilities are available to you depending on the type of river you expect: - On the Allier for a bit of speed and some rapids. Departure with Auvergne Loisirs from Pont-du-Chateau or Sainte-Marguerite (30 minutes from the campsite). You will discover this tributary of the Loire which is worth the detour. Our advice is to opt for the course between Coudes and Ste-Marguerite for the scenery and the rapids! (-10% on canoe rentals thanks to the Pass'Arverne available at the campsite reception) - On the Sioule for a peaceful descent in a wild setting. Departure with Aqua Canoe in Ebreuil (55 minutes from the campsite) or Sioule loisirs (1 hour from the campsite). A little extra: possibility of combining your canoe trip with a Via Ferrata or rail bike depending on the location! Ready for the canyoning adventure? Embark with Auvergne Loisirs with a meeting point at Chambon-sur-Lac (15 min from the campsite, then a little further on the road to get to the start). Then you will have a busy program: jumps, abseiling, slides... between natural pools and waterfalls! The jumps range from 2 to 7 meters in height. Are you more into sailing or paddling? Aydat Lake is the largest natural lake in Auvergne and offers a magnificent playground for all types of boats: pedal boats, paddle boats, windsurfing, catamaran, optimist, canoe... You will inevitably find what you are looking for in the sailing school (3 km from the campsite) which offers several rental formulas. Want originality? Try your hand at e-foil or wing-foil to surf the lake. It is also possible to participate in the courses organized during the summer over several days. (-10% on activities thanks to the Pass'Arverne available at the campsite reception)
Cheeses, beers, apple juice, chips, wines... We offer as many local products as possible at the campsite's grocery store and snack bar. Discover these Auvergne producers who will delight you.
Our ideas for activities and visits to do when it rains around the campsite in Aydat, in Puy-de-Dôme. Vulcania, Aventure Michelin, castle, swimming pools, climbing... You can continue to enjoy your vacation despite the rain!
