Hiking Puy de Sancy: our trails starting from the campsite

Hiking in the Puy de SancyDirectly from La Chauderie campsite

In the heart of the Massif du Sancy and the Auvergne volcanoes, our Auvergne campsite in the Puy-de-Dôme is the ideal starting point for discovering the Puy de Sancy, the highest peak in the Massif Central (1,886 m). Whether you’re a weekend hiker or a seasoned walker, you’ll find marked trails directly from the campsite, as well as must-sees like Lac Pavin, La Banne d’Ordanche and the Vallée de Chaudefour, and over 10 PDF files to download to help you plan your hiking trip.

Climbing the Puy de Sancy: our favourite routes

The Puy de Sancy (1,886 m) is the highest peak in the Massif Central and the region’s must-see hike. A 25-minute drive from the campsite, it can be climbed on several routes, depending on your level and the weather. Marked trails, 360° panoramas, wildlife watching (mouflons, chamois at altitude): it’s the highlight of any stay in the Massif du Sancy.

From Le Mont-Dore on the Crêtes trail

Distance: 9 km – Vertical rise +: 700 m – Duration: 5 h – Difficulty: Difficult.
The great classic. Depart from the Mont-Dore cable car parking area. Follow the GR4 up to the ridge, then follow the panoramic trail to the summit. Exceptional views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Chaudefour valley.

From Super-Besse with the cable car

Distance: 3 km – Vertical rise +: 200 m – Duration: 2 h round trip – Difficulty: Easy.
The family option. The cable car from the Super-Besse station drops you off at the foot of the summit; the last ascent is on foot along a specially prepared path. Accessible to children aged 6 and over.

Through the Chaudefour valley

Distance: 12 km – Vertical rise +: 850 m – Duration: 6 h – Difficulty: Difficult.
The route for connoisseurs. Crosses the Chaudefour nature reserve, pastoral landscapes, streams and waterfalls. Half-turn possible at the foot of the summit for a shorter loop.

Must-do hikes in the Massif du Sancy

Beyond the Puy de Sancy, the massif abounds in magnificent trails accessible from our Auvergne volcano campsite. Here are some of our favorites, sorted by proximity.

La Banne d’Ordanche (easy loop, 360° panorama)

Distance: 5 km – Vertical rise +: 350 m – Duration: 2 h 30 – Difficulty: Medium.
A volcano in the shape of a truncated pyramid, the Banne d’Ordanche offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Sancy, with views of the Monts Dore and Monts du Cantal. Parking at the foot of the mountain, 35 min. drive from the campsite.

Roche Tuilière and Roche Sanadoire (Col de Guéry)

Distance: 4 km – Vertical rise +: 200 m – Duration: 2 h – Difficulty: Easy.
Two spectacular volcanic dykes face each other, remnants of ancient eroded volcanoes. Plunging view of Lac de Guéry, the highest lake in Auvergne (1,244 m).

The Chaudefour valley (nature reserve)

Distance: 6 km – Ascent: 300 m – Duration: 3 h – Difficulty: Medium.
National nature reserve, glacial cirque landscape, slope-side trails. Protected fauna (mouflons, marmots, golden eagles). Departure from the Maison de la Réserve in Chambon-sur-Lac.

Hiking around Auvergne lakes

Volcanic lakes are the other signature of the Sancy. With their water-filled craters, peat bogs and protected biodiversity, they lend themselves equally well to family walks and contemplative hikes. Several are less than 30 minutes from the campsite.

Tour of Lac Pavin (3 km, 1h, easy)

Lac Pavin is Europe’s youngest volcano (7,000 years old) and one of France’s deepest lakes (92 m). Its walking tour is a flat 3 km loop, perfect for children or all-terrain baby carriages. Plunging views from the belvedere. 25 min from the campsite near Lac Pavin.

Lac Chauvet (4 km, 1h15, easy)

Little-known crater lake, wilder than the Pavin. Turquoise waters, bathing permitted in summer. Easy, signposted tour of the lake. Ideal for a relaxing afternoon, 20 minutes from our campsite in the heart of the Sancy.

Lac de Guéry

Highest lake in Auvergne (1,244 m). Renowned fishing spot (trout, char). In winter, the only lake in France where you can go ice fishing. Can be combined with the Roche Tuilière/Sanadoire hike for a full day.

Easy family hikes (under 2 hours)

Our family campsite welcomes many families with children. Here’s our selection of short, accessible walks, tested with walkers aged 4 and over.

• Tour du lac Pavin – 3 km, 1h, flat. The benchmark for the Sancy family.
• Roche Tuilière and Sanadoire – 4 km, 2h, slight gradient. Spectacular views.
• La Chauderie campsite loop – 9 km, but entirely flat, along the river. Departure from reception.
• La Tour d’Auvergne – Chapelle Natzy – heritage trail, gentle ascent.
• Super-Besse cable car + Puy de Sancy – to reach the summit without suffering.

Winter hiking in the Sancy

You can also discover the Sancy on snowshoes. Our winter campsite allows you to set off directly from reception on snow-covered, signposted trails. The ski resorts of Super-Besse and Le Mont-Dore also offer supervised snowshoe itineraries. For winter sports enthusiasts, our campsite near Chastreix-Sancy provides access to the Nordic and Alpine ski areas, a 15-minute drive away.

Frequently asked questions – Hiking in Puy de Sancy

What’s the easiest hike from the La Chauderie campsite?

The campsite loop (9 km, flat, 2h30) runs alongside the Burande river and leaves directly from the reception. For something even shorter, the tour of Lac Pavin (3 km, 1h), a 25-minute drive away, is the perfect family option.

Can you climb the Puy de Sancy with children?

Yes. The Super-Besse cable car takes you almost to the summit; the remaining 200 m of ascent can be reached on foot along a groomed path in 30 min. Suitable for children aged 6 and over. On foot from Le Mont-Dore, the minimum age is 10.

When is the best time to hike in the Sancy?

Mid-June to late September for snow-cleared trails and stable weather. June offers the flowering of the estives and the lowest number of visitors – our favorite period. July-August for swimming at altitude. September for the colors.

Does the GR30 pass near the La Chauderie campsite?

Yes. The GR30 Tour des lacs d’Auvergne passes about 8 km from the campsite and takes 3 to 5 days to reach Lac Chambon, Lac Pavin and Le Mont-Dore. Possible alternative stopover at La Chauderie.

Where can I find IGN maps of the Massif du Sancy?

IGN maps 2432ET (Massif du Sancy) and 2433ET (Vallée de Chaudefour) cover the entire area. Available from the campsite reception and the tourist offices of La Tour d’Auvergne, Mont-Dore and Besse-en-Chandesse.

Can you hike in the Sancy in winter?

Yes, on snowshoes. The Sancy trails are marked and accessible all winter long. Our winter campsite offers heated accommodation and snowshoes on loan at reception.

Book your hiking holiday at La Chauderie

Ready to discover the Massif du Sancy? Our campsite offers a range of packages to suit all budgets: chalets, fully-equipped mobile homes, unusual accommodation or riverside camping pitches. Check our rates and availability or contact us directly on 07 88 42 28 06.