8 hikes to do with children (from 3 years old)
Because hiking is even better when you can share it with family, here are 8 walks near the campsite that have been tested and approved with our children, among volcanoes, waterfalls and lakes of Auvergne. Good news: all these hikes start from the Les Volcans campsite or are located within 30 minutes' drive.
Also check
our guide to the most beautiful hikes around Aydat and the volcanoes of Auvergne.
Looking for an easy hike to do with young children in the Puy-de-Dôme? Here we have selected the walks we did as a family with our son when he was 3 years old. The idea is to introduce children to hiking with volcanoes to climb, waterfalls, lakes, and always something to discover along the way. Around Aydat, the Chaîne des Puys, and the Sancy, we have favored short and accessible hikes, with 1 to 2 hours of family walking. For each walk, we indicate the duration, the difficulty, and what particularly appeals to the youngest.
Puy de la Combegrasse
Recommended age: from 3 years
Duration with children: about 1 hour
Start:
from the campsite
Difficulty: easy, with just a good climb to the summit
Allow a good hour with children to do this loop from the campsite. There is a nice little slope to climb the puy but without major difficulty. And the climb is worth the detour: at the top you will have a
360° panorama over the Chaîne des Puys on one side and the Sancy massif on the other (with 2 orientation tables). Along the way you may come across sheep grazing, cows, or horses. It is also a very
beautiful spot to admire the sunset (bring warm clothes)!
The big pluses: start from the campsite and one of the
most beautiful panoramas in the region.
Tour of Lake Servière
Recommended age: from 2 years
Duration with children: 40 min to 1 h
Start:
10 minutes from the campsite by car
Difficulty: very easy, no elevation gain
Walk of 40 to 60 minutes (starting 10 min from the campsite), very accessible as there is no elevation gain. The only difficulty is the first part of the path with many roots. But after that the path is very passable, with large open spaces, small ladders to cross fences, small bridges in the wetland area... Children love it! In summer you even have a chance of finding raspberries at the end of the route, or mushrooms in autumn.
10 minutes from the campsite, on the road to Mont-Dore, good signage and a car park.
The
tour of Lake Servière on Balirando
Puy de Vichatel
Recommended age: from 3 years
Duration with children: 1h30 to 2h
Departure:
5 minutes by car from the campsite, rest area at the Col de la Ventouse
Difficulty: easy to moderate, with two good climbs to reach the crater
The second deepest crater in the Chaîne des Puys, this volcano offers a beautiful hike through the woods (very pleasant on sunny days) with great viewpoints at the top. The walk lasts about 1h30 or 2h with children, starting from the Col de la Ventouse car park (5 min from the campsite). There are some good climbs, but on very manageable paths.
The
Puy de Vichatel on Balirando
Rossignolet and Queureuilh Waterfall
Recommended age: from 2 years (possible even with a stroller)
Duration with children: about 1 hour
Start:
Prends-toi-garde cemetery, 25 minutes from the campsite
Difficulty: very easy, one section sometimes slippery
25 minutes from the campsite, in Mont-Dore. A loop of about an hour on an easy path for children (only a few climbs and one section sometimes slippery before the Rossignolet waterfall). A large part of the path is through the woods, very pleasant in all weather, and a section runs along the river with opportunities for water play for children (building dams, bark boats...).
The two waterfalls are really worth the detour!
The
Ronde des cascade hike on the Sancy website
Tour of Lac Pavin
Recommended age: from 3 years
Duration with children: about 1h15
Departure:
30 minutes from the campsite, in Besse
Difficulty: very easy, with very little elevation gain
The loop takes about an hour, with very little elevation gain and a path that is often wide and easy. You will just need to keep an eye on your youngest children: even if the path is not dangerous, the lake is always below. Of volcanic origin (93m deep), this lake offers
an incredible landscape in all seasons and its water takes on magical colors! By extending the walk by a few minutes, you can enjoy beautiful viewpoints from above (good signage on site).
Bonus: stop in the beautiful village of Besse and stroll (or have a snack!) through its medieval streets.
The
Lac Pavin loop on the Sancy website
The geyser trail at Sainte-Marguerite
Recommended age: from 2 years
Duration with children: about 40 minutes
Departure:
30 minutes from the campsite
Difficulty: easy and relatively flat
A very original family walk! A marked trail takes us along the Allier between different springs of an old thermal site now abandoned. After a few minutes of easy walking, you come face to face with the geyser, which erupts every 20 minutes or so, a lovely surprise that amazes the children every time! Several other springs are also of interest nearby (
some photos ). The path is fairly flat and easy, so you can bring bikes or balance bikes.
Extra ideas: You can take advantage of the trip to visit nearby Vic-le-Comte, discover the wild Quayres waterfall, or climb up to admire the panorama from the Virgin of Monton.
Information on the location and access
Puy de Montenard
Recommended age: from 3 years
Duration with children: 1h30 to 2h
Start:
5 minutes from the campsite, at Zanières
Difficulty: easy to moderate, with a gentle climb to the summit of the volcano
It is the
southernmost volcano of the Chaîne des Puys, clearly visible from the campsite. The hike starts from the village of Zanières and is well-marked. The first part is uphill and mostly through woodland until the summit of the puy, where
a very beautiful view of the Sancy massif opens up . The return is a gentle descent to the starting point. In total, between 1h30 and 2h of very accessible walking.
For adults, it is possible to leave directly from the campsite heading towards the narse d'Espinasse for a total of 14 km.
Information about the Balirando site
Tour of the Gergovie plateau
Recommended age: from 3 years
Duration with children: about 1h30
Departure:
Gergovie museum parking, 20 minutes from the campsite
Difficulty:
very easy, with very little elevation gain
On the site of
the battle that opposed the armies of Vercingetorix and Julius Caesar! The loop around the plateau is not difficult, with very little elevation gain. Be careful only on very hot days as there are very few shaded areas. You will have
magnificent viewpoints all along the route: over the Chaîne des Puys, Clermont-Ferrand, the Livradois... making it a very pleasant walk for both children and adults!
Take the opportunity to
visit the brand new Gergovie Battle Museum , fascinating to understand what took place on the plateau a few hundred years ago.
Pour les jours de vent,
prenez un cerf-volant, le spot est topissime :-)
Information on the Destination Auvergne website
Hiking with young children, it’s taking the time to observe, to marvel and to share good moments together. In Auvergne, the volcanic landscapes, lakes and forests offer an ideal playground for accessible walks full of surprises. To each his pace, the essential is to enjoy the path… and the memories we create as a family.
Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice at reception during your stay at the campsite :-)
As with all hikes, going for a walk with children requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking boots...) and warm clothing in your bag (most of these walks are above 1000m altitude). Also think about a water bottle and a small snack to motivate the troops!
