5 day hikes with exceptional panoramas in Puy de Dôme
Florian Meyer • March 17, 2024
Want wide open spaces? Take your walking shoes and your picnic to immerse yourself in nature for a day. We have selected 5 hikes with exceptional panoramas around the campsite in the Puys chain or the Sancy massif (+ two bonuses).
- The Cascades (and the ridges) , departing from Mont Dore (25 minutes from the campsite). Some people summarize this hike as being the most difficult but also the most beautiful in the Puy de Dôme! Its 1030m of elevation gain for 6 hours of walking make it a demanding hike which should not scare you. You will find on your way the Great waterfall of Mont Dore at the start, and the Queureuilh and Rossignolet waterfalls at the finish. In the meantime, you will climb the crests of the Puys de l'Angle, Monne and La Tache with incredible views of the Sancy massif but also the entire chain of Puys and the lakes below.
The hike should be avoided on windy days or when the peaks are in the clouds. Info and details about 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 , apart from its reasonable height difference of 750m. Be careful however it is not fully marked, so keep an eye on your map. You will start by climbing the Puy de Dôme to enjoy the panorama at the top over the entire chain of puys to the north and south. You will then reach the legendary Puy Pariou crater , the deepest in the chain! On the way back, the proposed route takes you to Petit and Grand Suchet, which you can pass to shorten. Conversely, you can make an additional detour through the pretty caves of Clierzou .
This ballad of 4 to 5 hours of walking is very pleasant, despite some very busy passages in summer! Middle-earth info and details .
- Plateau du Guéry , from Col de Guéry (15 minutes from the campsite). Little difference in altitude for this hike (525m) which criss-crosses the Guéry plateau and offers wonderful viewpoints all along the route. Shortly after the start, you will be surprised to discover the Guéry waterfall which jumps a basaltic lava flow before joining the Guéry lake , which you will follow again on the way back. The path then goes around the Puy May before going through the summit of the Puy Gros. In the meantime, do not hesitate to leave the marked path for a detour to the top of the Banne d'Orbanche and its 360° panorama!
This walk of 4 to 5 hours of walking is surprising and very pleasant! Info and details about Balirando .
- The Sancy crests via Le Capucin , departing from Mont Dore (25 minutes from the campsite). With its 7 hours of walking and 1050m of vertical drop on the program, it is the longest hike of our selection , but perhaps also the most impressive! breathtaking views along the way The next section will take you to the top of the Massif Central, the Puy de Sancy (which can be very busy when the cable car arrives in summer). Try to spot the campsite from up there, we'll say hello to you from the snack bar :-) The next step will take you over the Chaudefour valley reserve and lead you to the Grande cascade du Mont Dore.
On the way back, you will have your legs full but also your eyes full, we promise! Info and details about Balirando .
As for all hikes, but for these in particular, walking requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking boots...) and warm clothes in the bag (most of these walks are more than 1000m above sea level).
Also remember to take enough water and food to last the distance! These long hikes are not recommended with young children, do not hesitate to come and discuss them with us if you have any doubts about your children's ability to embark on such adventures so that the walk remains a pleasure.
Also remember to take enough water and food to last the distance! These long hikes are not recommended with young children, do not hesitate to come and discuss them with us if you have any doubts about your children's ability to embark on such adventures so that the walk remains a pleasure.
- 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!
