5 hikes to leave the campsite in Aydat
Florian Meyer • November 26, 2025
It is possible to hike directly from the campsite to Aydat with tours in the volcanoes lasting an hour or a day! Leave the car, van or campervan parked and enjoy the wide open spaces around us.
- 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 (be careful here, the start is not from the campsite)
- Puy de Vichatel, a magnificent crater in 2h30!
It is the second deepest crater in the chain of Puys after the Puy Pariou), and it is possible to go down inside, a great experience! A large part of the hike is in the undergrowth (very pleasant on sunny days) with beautiful viewpoints at the top. The walk lasts about 2h30 or 3h with children, on a very passable path.
The route is not marked from the campsite but you cannot get lost with an IGN map 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!
- Puys de la Vache de Lassolas, twins in one day! Go with the picnic to discover these two beautiful twin craters. On the menu: glowing pozzolan and exceptional views of the Puys chain! To enjoy it you will have to face two beautiful hills and a lot of stairs. Our little advice: go up by the Puy de Lassolas, because its path is in pozzolan, very slippery on the way down. On your way you will also cross the puys of Charmont and Rodde. To discover these puys with young children , prefer to leave the car park 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 one-day discovery! This lake was formed in a volcano crater and offers a still wild landscape. The hike to get there from the campsite is a round trip without any particular difficulty with several beautiful viewpoints. It is possible to eat along the way in Pessade. The hike of about 19 km is done by following the white and red markings of the GR from the campsite.
We are fortunate to be very close to Clermont-Ferrand, a city shaped by lava stone, which gives its buildings such a striking color. In this article, you will find all the practical information you need to get to Clermont-Ferrand from the campsite. Spending a day in Clermont-Ferrand can be a great option, especially on rainy days. You'll find it about 6 degrees warmer than the campsite. Conversely, visiting the city is not recommended on very hot days... Here are a few suggestions for visits and activities in Clermont-Ferrand: Visit the historic center, including Place de la Victoire, the cathedral (no, it's not dirty, that's the natural color of the lava stone!), Place de Jaude with its statue of Vercingetorix, and the Notre-Dame du Port Basilica... The area isn't large, but it has a lot of charm! You can explore on your own or join a guided tour organized by our tourist office or one of the free suggested routes. A city game in the streets of old Clermont, with the Arcanes de la Cité (City's Secrets), is a fantastic way to discover the secret history of Clermont-Ferrand while having fun, like an escape room, but outdoors! We absolutely loved it when we first arrived in the region. A visit to L'Aventure Michelin (The Michelin Adventure) was a wonderful surprise for us, even for the children! The museum is suitable for children from about 4-5 years old, thanks in particular to the investigation booklets available throughout the visit. The museum blends the company's history with world history, from tires (of course!), to trains and planes, and Michelin's role in mapping our roads, signage, and more. Fascinating. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours there. Practical Information: Rugby fans can immerse themselves in the history of ASM Clermont Auvergne by visiting the ASM Experience Museum located in the Marcel Michelin Stadium. It's possible to visit the museum and/or the Michelin Stadium. And if the schedule coincides, why not attend a match of the yellow and blue team? Memories guaranteed! A visit to the historic town of Montferrand is also recommended. Half-timbered houses, Gothic and Renaissance mansions, fountains, the clock tower... You'll be transported to a captivating medieval world! A favorite with most visitors. Suggested itineraries are available at the tourist office. But also: the Jardin Lecoq, a green oasis in the heart of the city center and very close to the beautiful Henri Lecoq Museum (zoology, paleontology, botany...), the Royat spa district and its Belle Époque atmosphere, the FRAC Auvergne (contemporary art), dozens of street art pieces in the streets of Clermont-Ferrand, the Roger-Quilliot art museum (numerous activities for children, see the program)...
Discover 4 road cycling routes starting from the campsite in Aydat in the Puy de Dôme, Auvergne. Lakes, mountain passes, gorges... Take quiet country roads.
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.
