blog post
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.
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!
Ideas for day hikes around Les Volcans campsite. Sancy ridges, Puys de Dôme and Pariou, Guéry plateau, waterfalls...
- Shaded hikes. Several hiking trails are well suited to very hot days thanks to the shade offered by the undergrowth. Among the easiest hikes (from 3 years old), the tour of Lake Pavin, the Puy de Vichatel or the Queureuilh and Rossignolet waterfalls are recommended. Slightly longer and shaded hikes are also possible such as the Dent du Marais loop in Murol (2h15), the three waterfalls of the Chaudefour valley (3h) or the Roches Tuillières and Sanadoire loop (3h). Remember to take water, there are generally no refueling points on the paths. - Hiking near the water. On hot days it is also pleasant to hike along a stream and have a picnic stop in the cool. The Gorges de la Monne (15 minutes from the campsite) are ideal for this type of getaway, the walk lasts 2 hours and it is possible to stop and play at the water's edge without difficulty. Be careful though, the end of the return path is not very shaded. Another possibility: the Chiloza waterfalls, a 2-hour walk near Besse which leads to the edge of multiple small waterfalls where children can play, build dams, make boats... Possibility of shortening the walk by doing a round trip to avoid the somewhat long second part of the loop. - Swimming at the lake. Although many lakes are close to the campsite, only Lake Aydat and Lake Chambon are allowed for swimming. It is even monitored there during the summer on the developed beaches. It is also possible to rent pedal boats, canoes, paddles... In July and August, we advise you to go there in the morning to enjoy the calm. - Adventures at the Forêts des Arboris (5 minutes from the campsite). This eco-citizen leisure park is located in the Aydat forest and offers activities suitable for all ages: treasure hunt for the little ones, game experiences (a sort of escape game in the countryside) or laser wood (laser game in the woods) for older children and adults. We then enjoy the freshness of the forest and the refreshment bar with its local drinks. The adventure also continues into the evening with Auvergne legends that come to life between land art and incredible light shows. We recommend +++ - Visit to the Grotte de la pierre de Volvic (35 minutes from the campsite). Freshness guaranteed in this old quarry from which Volvic stone was extracted, this dark volcanic rock found on many buildings including the Clermont-Ferrand cathedral. We also discover the daily life of the workers who worked there as well as the works made from this stone. Information on the Volvic stone cave site.
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...
Discovery of vineyards and wine tastings in Puy-de-Dôme, AOC Côte d'Auvergne, from the Les Volcans campsite in Aydat.
Campsite The Volcanoes ***
11 chemin de la Rodde, La Garandie, 63970 AYDAT
+33 (0)4 73 79 33 90
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