6 hikes a day with exceptional panoramic views in the Puy de Dôme
Florian Meyer • March 17, 2024
Looking for wide open spaces? Put on your walking shoes and your picnic to immerse yourself in nature le temps d'une journée. Nous vous avons sélectionné 5 randonnées with exceptional panoramas around the camping in the chain of puys or the Sancy massif (+ two bonuses).
- The Waterfalls (and the ridges), 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 about 1030m of elevation gain for 6 hours of walking makes it a demanding hike that should nevertheless not scare you. You will find on 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 ridges of the puys of l'Angle, Monne and la Tache
with incredible panoramas
over the Sancy massif but also the whole chain of puys and the lakes down 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 marked, so keep an eye on your map. You will start with the ascent of the Puy de Dôme
to enjoy the panorama at the summit over the entire 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 can be passed to shorten the route. 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, starting from the Guéry pass (about 15 minutes from the campsite). Little elevation gain
for this hike (525m) which winds over 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 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, feel free to leave the marked trail for a detour to the summit of the Banne d'Ormarche
and its panorama à 360°! This walk of 4 to 5 hours is surprising and truly very pleasant!
Info and details on Balirando. - Les crêtes du Sancy par le Capucin, au départ du Mont Dore (25 minutes du camping). Avec ses 7 heures de marche et 1050m de dénivelé au programme, c'est la plus longue randonnée de notre sélection, mais peut-être aussi la plus impressionnante ! Dès le départ vous grimperez par le Capucin jusqu'au puy Redon, avec sur le parcours des points de vue à couper le souffle !
La portion suivante vous mènera jusqu'au sommet du massif central, le puy de Sancy
(qui peut-être très fréquenté à l'arrivée du téléphérique en été). Essayez de repérer le camping de là-haut, on vous fera coucou depuis le snack :-) La suite vous fera surplomber la réserve de la vallée de Chaudefour
et vous conduira jusqu'à la Grande cascade
du Mont Dore. Au retour, vous en aurez plein les jambes mais aussi pris plein les yeux, c'est promis !
Infos et détails sur Balirando.
- Puys de Jumes, de la Coquille and des Gouttes, départ près de St-Ours (30 minutes from the campsite). A trés beautiful randonnée in the volcanoes d'Auvergne, neither trés long (5 hours of walking), nor trés difficult (15km for 500m of D+) and à 50% shaded. The only negative point is the début and the end of the walk, to reach the parking, which are a bit flat and monotonous. For the rest, it is breathtaking! Two très beautiful cratères
to start with the puys of Jume and of the Coquille, we walk on the crête and have a plunging view over the l'intérieur of the volcanoes! The continuation of the randonnée offers three très beautiful viewpoints
on the chain of puys up to Puy de Dôme (n'hésitez not à do the short round trips to these viewpoints, c'est well indicated). We finish with the puy Chopine and its magnificent panorama
as a final bouquet!
Info and détails on Balirando
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.
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.
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