6 hikes to do with children (from 4-6 years old): cave, puys or waterfalls

- Grottes de Châteauneuf (15-20 min from the campsite). Set off to discover these ancient troglodytic dwellings, which were even topped by a castle, of which some remains can be glimpsed! The hike lasts about 2h without major difficulties aside from two or three good climbs. The view from the caves allows you toadmire St-Nectaire below but also the castle of Murol and the Sancy massif (or so it seems, because we were in fog on the day of our walk!).

- Le Puy de la Tâche (20 min from the campsite). To do in good weather, because the view is extraordinary throughout the hike and offers a panorama à 360° from the summit! All the Sancy massif is offered à you, but also the lakes of Guéry and Chambon, the chain of puys... You even spot the campsite. The randonnée is balisée and in the form d'un round‑trip from the col de la Croix Morand. L'aller is therefore a constant montée jusqu'au summit and the return downhill. Children should pass l'obstacle without problème by taking your time à the montée (and promising a crêpe at the buron of the col on the return ?)

- Chiloza Cascades (25 min from the campsite). A nice 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 has little interest, the rest is sublime with a succession of small and large waterfalls in a kind of canyon! The steep path on this part will awaken the adventurer instinct in children... In several places it is possible to approach the stream to play.

- The Dent du Marais à Murol, 2h15 walk, départ à 15 minutes from the campsite. A beautiful loop for this randonnée that brings us close to the shores of Lake Chambon but especially découvrir a très beautiful panorama over the lake and the Sancy massif. The walk is accessible, without difficulté particulière except for the few 220m of dénivelé, climbed d'une traite between the village of Murol and the summit of the Dent du Marais, passing à proximité of the castle of Murol. Signage will let you découvrir the légende surrounding this rocky needle, formerly appelée the "Saut de la pucelle"... A good part of the randonnée s'effecte in the woods, therefore agréable même with the sun.

Hike details on Koomot 

- Puy des Goules and the great Sarcoui cave, 1h45 walk, departure at 25 minutes from the campsite. The departure of the walk takes place from the same parking as the famous Puy de Pariou but the attendance is much lower, however the crater is magnificent and it is still allowed to enter it! The out-and-back path presents no real difficulty, except a good climb up to the crater. From the top the view is unbeatable over the surrounding volcanoes: Pariou, Puy de Dôme, Puy de Côme... On the return you will pass by the great Sarcoui cave which served as a quarry for sarcophagi in the Middle Ages.

Details of the 1h45 hike (marked and displayed on site)

- Capucin Peak, with or without the funicular, 1h30 à 2h of walking, départ à 25 minutes from the campsite. Démarrez this adventure by taking the Capucin funicular, you will plunge back into the siècle passé with the oldest funiculaire électrique in France. The randonnée débutes then at the Capucin salon and starts with a stretch of path on an old road (not forcément the most agréable) in forêt until à reach an old buron. You will then tackle the dernière part of l'ascension, on a winding and steeper trail. L'arrivée at the summit of Capucin offers a spectacular panorama over l'ensemble du massif du Sancy ! The return is made via the même path. It is possible to descend à foot 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 :-)