6 hikes to do with children (from 4-6 years old): cave, puys or waterfalls
Discover six new hikes accessible with children from 4-6 years old to explore caves in St-Nectaire, the summit of a puy in the Sancy, waterfalls in Besse, the Pic du Capucin, the Dent du Marais in Murol, or the crater of the puy des Goules. You choose your next family adventure!
- Grottes de Châteauneuf (15-20 min from the campsite). Set off to discover these ancient troglodyte dwellings , which were even topped by a fortified castle, of which you can make out a few remains! The hike lasts about 2 hours without major difficulties apart from two or three good climbs. The view from the caves allows you to admire St-Nectaire below, as well as the Château de Murol and the Sancy massif (at least that's what they say, because we were in the fog on the day of our walk!).
Details of the hike on Balirando (with children we advise you s to start from the l'église of St-Nectaire to éviter the première montée)
- Le Puy de la Tâche (20 min from the campsite). Best done in good weather, as the view is extraordinary throughout the hike and offers a 360° panorama from the summit! The entire Sancy massif is laid out before you, as well as the Guéry and Chambon lakes, the chain of puys... You can even make out the campsite. The hike is marked and is an out-and-back route from the Col de la Croix Morand. The outward leg is therefore a steady climb to the summit, and the return is downhill. Children should manage the challenge without any problem if you take your time on the way up (and promise them a crêpe at the mountain hut at the pass on the way back?)
Hike details on the Sancy website
- 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 start of the hike is of little interest, the rest is sublime with a succession of small and large waterfalls in a sort of canyon! The steep path on this section will awaken children's sense of adventure... In several places, it is possible to get close to the torrent to play in it.
- La Dent du Marais in Murol , 2h15 walk, starting 15 minutes from the campsite . A beautiful loop for this hike that takes us close to the shores of Lake Chambon but especially to discover a very beautiful panorama over the lake and the Sancy massif . The walk is accessible, without any particular difficulty apart from the 220m of elevation gain, climbed in one go between the village of Murol and the summit of the Dent du Marais , passing near the Château de Murol. Signs will introduce you to the legend surrounding this rocky needle, once called the "Maiden's Leap"... A good part of the hike takes place in the undergrowth, so it's pleasant even in the sun.
- Puy des Goules and the Grand Sarcoui cave , 1h45 walk, starting 25 minutes from the campsite . The walk starts from the same car park as the famous Puy de Pariou, but it is much less busy, yet the crater is magnificent and it is still allowed to enter it! The out-and-back path presents no 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 by the Grand Sarcoui cave, which was used as a quarry for sarcophagi in the Middle Ages .
Details of the 1h45 hike (marked and displayed on site)
Details of a 3-hour loop on Visorando
- 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 be transported back to the last century with the oldest electric funicular in France . The hike then begins at the Capucin lounge and starts with a section of path on an old road (not necessarily the most pleasant) through the forest until reaching an old buron. You will then tackle the last part of the ascent, on a winding and steeper trail. Arriving at the summit of Capucin offers an exceptional panorama over the entire Sancy massif! The return is along the same path. It is possible to walk back down without taking the funicular on the way back.
To guide you, in summary:
👉 Very easy and fun: Grottes de Châteauneuf, Cascades de Chiloza
👉 Spectacular view: Puy de la Tâche, Pic du Capucin
👉 Emblematic volcano: Puy des Goules
👉 Lake & panorama: Dent du Marais”
These are often the short hikes that become the most beautiful memories for children when they return from their Auvergne vacation! Even if they grumble (a bit) before starting the hike :-)
Also discover:
- our complete guide to hikes around Aydat.
- 8 family-friendly hikes from age 3
- 7 hikes with children from 8 years old
As with all hikes, going for a walk with children requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking boots...) and warm clothing in your bag (most of these walks are above 1000m altitude). Also think about a water bottle and a small snack to motivate the troops!
