6 hikes a day with exceptional panoramic views in the Puy de Dôme

• The Cascades (and the crêtes) , starting from Mont Dore (25 minutes from the campsite). Some summarize this hike as being the most difficult but also the most beautiful of Puy de Dôme! Its roughly 1030m of elevation gain over 6 hours of walking makes it a demanding hike that should not, however, scare you. You will find along your way the Great waterfall of Mont Dore at the start, and the waterfalls of Queureuilh and Rossignolet at the arrival. In the meantime you will climb on the crêtes of the puys of l'Angle, Monne and la Tache with incredible panoramas over the Sancy massif but also the entire chain of puys and the lakes below. The hike is to be avoided on days of strong wind or when the peaks are in the clouds.
  Info and details on Balirando .
  
  
• The Puy de Dôme and the Puy Pariou , starting from the Col de Ceyssat (20 minutes from the campsite). This hike does not present any particular difficulties , except its reasonable elevation gain of 750m. However, note that it is not fully waymarked, so keep an œil on your map. You will start with the ascent of the Puy de Dôme to enjoy the panorama at the summit over the whole chain of puys to the north and south. You will then reach the mythical crater of the Puy Pariou , the deepest in the chain! On the return, the proposed itinerary takes you to the small and large Suchet, which you can skip to shorten the walk. Conversely, you can make an additional detour via the pretty Clierzou caves . This walk of 4 à 5 hours is very pleasant, despite some very busy sections in summer!
  Info and details on the Terres du milieu .
  

• La vallée de Chaudefour par les crête et Puy de Sancy, au départ du Chambon des neiges (à 25 min du camping). Randonnée de 5 à 6h, environ 950m de dénivelé. Le début de la rando vous offrira une découverte de l'exceptionnelle réserve naturelle de la vallée de Chaudefour avec la dent de la Rancune, la crête du coq... (possibilité de voir deux cascades en faisant des aller-retour hors parcours). La suite est plus sportive avec une montée jusqu'aux crêtes de la vallée mais de très beaux panoramas à la clef ! Vous pouvez ensuite gravir le puy de Sancy (en aller-retour) ou simplement continuer la boucle par les crêtes de l'autre côté de la vallée pour le retour tout en douceur. Chiens interdits dans la réserve naturelle.
  Détails de la randonnée sur Balirando

• Guéry Plateau , at the start from the Guéry pass (about 15 minutes from the campsite). Little elevation gain for this hike (525m) that winds across the Guéry plateau and offers wonderful viewpoints throughout the route. Shortly after the start, you will be surprised to discover the Guéry waterfall which jumps over a basaltic lava flow before joining the Guéry lake , which you will walk along again on the return. The path then bypasses the May peak before passing over the Gros peak. In the meantime, don't hesitate to leave the marked trail for a detour to the summit of the Banne d'Orbanche and its 360° panorama! This 4 to 5 hour walk is surprising and truly very pleasant!
  Info and details on Balirando .
  
  
• The Sancy ridges via the Capucin , starting from Mont Dore (25 minutes from the campsite). With its 7 hours of walking and 1050m of elevation gain on the program, it is the longest hike in our selection , but perhaps also the most impressive! From the start you will climb via the Capucin to the Redon peak, with breathtaking viewpoints! The next section will take you to the summit of the central massif, the Sancy peak (which can be very busy at the arrival of the cable car in summer). Try to spot the campsite from up there, we will say hello from the snack bar :-) The rest will overlook the Chaudefour valley reserve and will lead you to the Great waterfall of Mont Dore. On the return, you will have full legs and also full eyes, we promise!
  Information and details on Balirando .

• Puys de Jumes, de la Coquille et des Gouttes , départ près near St-Ours (30 minutes from the campsite). A très beautiful randonnée in the volcanoes d'Auvergne, neither très long (5 hours of walking), nor très difficult (15km for 500m of D+) and à 50% shaded. The only point négatif is the début and the end of the walk, to reach the parking, which are a bit flat and monotonous. The rest is breathtaking! Two très beautiful cratères to start with the puys de Jume and de la Coquille, we walk on the crête and have a plunging view over the l'intérieur of the volcanoes! The rest of the randonnée offers three très beautiful points de vue on the chaine des puys jusqu'au Puy de Dôme (n'hésitez pas à do short round trips to these points de vue, c'est well indiqué). We finish with the puy Chopine and its magnificent panorama as a final flourish !
  Info and détails on Balirando

BONUS >> Two other day-hike ideas from the campsite.

For other hiking ideas, you can consult our guide to the most beautiful hikes around Aydat and the Auvergne volcanoes.

As with all hikes, but especially for these, the walk requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking shoes...) and warm clothing in the bag (most of these walks are at over 1000m altitude). Also remember to take enough water and food to cover the distance!
These long hikes are not recommended with young children; feel free to come discuss with us if you have doubts about your children's ability to embark on such adventures so that the walk remains enjoyable.