Hikers and cyclists: prepare your stopover at the campsite!
Florian • March 9, 2021
Along the GR 4 and GR 441, and near the GR 30 and the GTMC VTT, our campsite is an essential stopover! Whether you are on foot or by bike, we will welcome you in the best conditions at the campsite. Here is some useful information to prepare your journey.
Come to the campsite
Here are some tips to make your access to the campsite easier and save you unnecessary kilometers! Recent changes to the GR route make you take an unnecessary 2.7km detour, so here's how to avoid it:
- GR 4 and GR 441 , after the Puy de la Vache car park, turn right, you will then take the old route of the GR (without markings, orange route below) with a great path in the woods, beautiful points of view and a passage at the foot of Puy de Vichatel. You will join the GR just above Fonclairant. 2.7 km less and quite a bit of elevation avoided! See map below .
- GR 30 , same directions after the Puy de la Vache car park, turn right onto the old GR (without markings, orange route below). You will avoid numerous passages on the road and will benefit from several puys on the route (6.3km to the campsite). The next day you will join the GR at Lake Aydat (3.6 km of descent, light blue route ). The total distance is therefore equivalent to the GR route (9.4km) but with less road, more forest and more volcanoes!
- Great crossing of the Massif Central (GTMC) by mountain bike , two possible solutions to reach the campsite during the standard Laschamps-Murol stage:
- At the start of the stage, turn left at Puy de Monteillet, direction Puy de la Vache ( purple route below) then after the Puy de la Vache car park follow the old GR ( orange route ). Total distance 8.4km with good path.
- In the middle of the stage, at Saulzet-le-Froid, turn left and pass through the Espinasse narse before reaching the campsite ( purple route ). Total distance: 5.2km of good paths.
- The other possibility is to arrive via option 1, then join the GTMC route the next day via option 2, the total distance will be slightly less than the normal GTMC route.
Sleep at the campsite
For your stopover at the campsite, you have the choice between:
- A campsite , for which we offer you a specific price with our Hiker Package (see Our Prices ). In high season (from July 5 to August 25), we advise you to make a reservation to be sure that we can accommodate you.
- Overnight accommodation , perfectly suited to itinerant travelers! We offer three different ones: the Dôme, the Tentenbois and the Trappeurs Lodge. Each time, you will find real beds and kitchen essentials. You also have the possibility to reserve sheets .
We know that sometimes the day of walking or cycling does not go as planned, so if you think you will arrive after reception closing time (6 p.m.) give us a call: we will tell you where to settle in at your arrival or we will be waiting for you!
Eating at the campsite
It is possible to refuel and eat directly at the campsite. Several options are available to you:
- Our grocery store , in which you will find basic products (compotes, pasta, salads, cakes, drinks, etc.) and emergency products ( toothbrush, toilet paper, bandages, etc.)
- The rotisserie , order us a roast chicken with fries to enjoy when you arrive! Call us at the latest the day before to order (open in high season).
- The Snack will offer you the comfort of a refreshment or an ice cream on arrival! Then a good meal in the evening (burgers, pizzas, Auvergne specialties...), washed down with Auvergne drinks! (open in high season)
Useful services at the campsite
The laundery :
a washing machine and dryer (fast!) will allow you to leave clean if you wish.The freezer : to freeze bottles or blocks of ice overnight (free).
Free wifi access throughout the campsite.
The book box to take or exchange a novel for the rest of your journey.
- 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!
