Hiking between lakes and volcanoes in Auvergne

Overnight in hotel

Arrival in Royat during the day. This small spa town is accessible to the center of Clermont-Ferrand and the train station, thanks to the city bus network. You can visit Royat and the city center of Clermont, marked by its history with volcanoes (its dark lava stone cathedral...).
Night at the hotel in B&B.

Night in hotel or guest room / 18Km / Walking time 5h / Elevation : + 326 m / - 630 m

By taxi, in the morning, you join Servière and its small crater lake, nestled in its lava. Its clear waters invite you to refresh yourself. You continue through the woods to Pessade and then the Puy de Baladou, you join Beaune the cold and its cellars in Saint Nectaire. From here, by the jump of the virgin, you go down to Chambon, small lake of natural dam formed by the flows of Puy du Tartaret.
Night (hotel or bed and breakfast) at Lake Chambon.

Night in hotel or guest room / 16 km / Walking time 5 h / Elevation : + 460 m / - 300 m

In the morning, through small hamlets and pastures, you go up the old lava flows to reach Saint Victor la Rivière. After the lunch break, you leave on these landscapes steeped in history and go back on the southern flanks of the massif to reach the small fortified village of Besse en Chandesse.
You will appreciate this stage in the heart of a medieval village.
Overnight (hotel or bed and breakfast) in the small medieval village of Besse.

Night in hotel or guest room / 20.5 km / Walking time 6-7 h / Elevation : + 965 m / - 826 m

The mountain is calling you today to climb the peak of Sancy, the highest point of the Auvergne. From Besse, along the Couze Pavin, you gradually go up by summer pastures. You will walk to the edge of an ancient glacier valley, The Natural Reserve of Chaudefour along the ridges where you will not fail to observe marmots, or more
discrete chamois.
Possibility to climb the top of Sancy : 1:30 more (go and return).
After the 360 ° panorama, in the descent, you pass by the Great Cascade before arriving at the thermal baths of Mont Dore.
Night (hotel or bed and breakfast) in this small spa village.

Night in hotel or guest room / 19 km / Walking time 6 h / Elevation : + 663 m/ - 828 m

In the morning, you go to Guéry (the highest lake in Auvergne) passing under Puy Gros. In the afternoon, between the Maleviale Valley and the Bear Valley, you reach the village of Orcival, well known for its basilica and virgin "Our Lady of Irons".
Night (hotel or bed and breakfast).

Night in hotel or guest room / 15,5 km / Walking time 5 h30 / Elevation : + 455 m / - 347 m

Bucolic day between pastures and small mountain hamlets. This stage will take you to the heart of the Chaîne des Puys to the village of Laschamps, passing by the twin volcanoes Puys of "La Vache" and "Lassolas", among the youngest cones of this slice of more than 80 volcanoes ....
Night in a hotel-gîte in Laschamps, under the benevolent gaze of the giant of the Domes.

Night as optional / 17 km / Walking time 5h30 / Elevation :+ 471 m /- 986 m

In the morning, you climb the slopes of the Puys de Dome by the historic path "The muleteers", already frequented by the Romans who came on pilgrimage to the temple of Mercury at the top of the giant of Chaîne des Puys (1465 m).
You will then descend to Royat (also known for its terms in Roman times).

From Royat you can reach Clermont-Ferrand SNCF train station with a local bus.
You can also choose to spend the night in Royat and dive into the beneficial waters of Royat's terms.