8 hikes to do with children (from 3 years old)
Because hiking is even better when you can share it with your family, here are 8 walks near the campsite tested and approved with our 3 and 5 year old children.
- Puy de la Combegrasse
: allow a good hour with children to do this loop from the campsite. There is a nice little hill to climb the puy but without major difficulty. And the climb is worth the detour: at the top you will have a 360° panorama of the Puys chain on one side and the Sancy massif on the other (with 2 orientation tables). On the way you may come across sheep in summer pastures, cows or horses. It’s also a very beautiful place to admire the sunset (bring warm clothes)!
The big pluses: departure from the campsite (then follow the yellow markings) and one of the most beautiful panoramas .
The
Puy de Combegrasse hike (be careful here, the departure is not from the campsite) -
Tour du Lac de Servière (10 minutes from the campsite): 40 to 60 minute walk, very accessible because there is no difference in altitude.
The only difficulty is the first part of the path with many roots. But afterwards the path is very passable, with large spaces, small ladders to cross fences, small bridges in the wetland... The children love it! In summer you are even likely to find raspberries at the end of the route, or mushrooms in the fall. 10 minutes from the campsite, on the Mont-Dore road, good signage and designated parking.
The
tour of Lake Servière on Balirando - Puy de Vichatel
(5 min from the campsite): second deepest crater in the Puys chain, this volcano offers a beautiful hike in the woods (very pleasant on sunny days) with beautiful points view at the top.
The walk lasts around 1h30 or 2h with children, from the Col de la Ventouse car park, there are some nice climbs but on a very passable path. Le
Puy de Vichatel sur Balirando - Cascade du Rossignolet et du Queureuilh
(25 min from the campsite, at Mont-Dore): a loop of about an hour on an easy path for children (only a few climbs and a sometimes slippery passage before the Rossignolet waterfall). A large part of the path is in the woods, very pleasant in all weathers, and a portion runs along the river with the possibility of water games for children (construction of dams, bark boats, etc.). The two waterfalls are definitely worth the detour!
The
Ronde des cascade hike on the Sancy site - Tour du Lac Pavin (30 minutes from the campsite, in Besse): the loop is done in an hour, with very little elevation gain and a path that is often wide and easy. You will just have to keep an eye on your youngest children: even if the path is not dangerous, the lake is still 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 will be able to enjoy beautiful viewpoints from above (good directions on site).
As a bonus: stop in the beautiful village of Besse and stroll (or have a snack!) in its medieval streets.
The tour of Lake Pavin on the Sancy site
- The geyser trail in Sainte-Marguerite (30 minutes from the campsite): a marked trail takes us along the Allier between different sources of an old thermal site, now abandoned. After a few minutes of easy walking, you emerge in front of the geyser which comes into operation approximately every 20 minutes, a nice surprise which amazes the children each time! Several other sources are not lacking in interest around ( some photos ). The path is quite flat and easy, so you can take bikes or balance bikes.
Location and access information
Additional ideas: It is possible to take advantage of the trip to visit nearby Vic-le-Comte, to discover the wild Quayres waterfall or to go up to admire the panorama from the virgin of Monton.
- Puy de Montenard (5 minutes from the campsite): it is the southernmost volcano in the Puy chain, you can see it clearly from the campsite. The hike leaves from the village of Zanières and is well signposted. The first part is uphill and mainly in the woods to the top of the puy where a very beautiful view of the Sancy massif .
The return is on a gentle slope 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 in the direction of the Narse d'Espinasse for a total of 14km.
Information on the Balirando website
- Tour of the Gergovie plateau (20 minutes from the campsite): on the site of the battle which opposed the armies of Vercingétorix and Julius Caesar! The tour of the plateau presents no difficulty, with very little difference in altitude. Be careful only on hot days because there are very few shaded areas. You will have magnificent views throughout the route: on the Puys chain, on Clermont-Ferrand, on the Livradois... which makes it a very pleasant walk for young and old alike!
Take the opportunity to visit the brand new museum of the Battle of Gergovie , fascinating for understanding what happened on the plateau a few hundred years ago.
For windy days, take a kite, the spot is amazing :-)
Information on the Destination Auvergne website
As with all hikes, going on a walk with children requires a minimum of equipment for your safety: closed shoes (good sneakers, hiking shoes...) and warm clothes in the bag (most of these walks are more than 1000m above sea level). Also think of a water bottle and a small snack to motivate the troops!
