Cycling tour Le tour du Sancy
Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise
No dogs allowed
Distance 87.4Km
Duration 4h30
Hiking route BOUCLE
In pictures
Route description
It’s a must : volcanic lake (Pavin), glacial valley (Chaudefour), high plateau (Artense) at 1,000 m altitude, this route is a must for sports enthusiasts.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Step 1 : The ascent to Lac Pavin (km 0 to 8).
Depart from the medieval town of Besse to reach Lac Pavin, France’s youngest and deepest crater lake (92 m).
Step 2 : Passage des Cols (km 10 to 22).
Head for Super-Besse, then switch to the west. The high point of this section is the Col de la Geneste (1,372 m), which marks the transition to the Artense landscape.
Step 3 : The Artense loop and La Tour-d’Auvergne (km 22 to 45).
A passage through the high plateau via the communes of Picherande, Saint-Donat and Bagnols. The route then reaches the La Tour-d’Auvergne lake.
Step 4 : The ascent to Le Mont-Dore (km 45 to 62).
A transition section on the D645 to the spa town of Le Mont-Dore, at the foot of the Puy de Sancy.
Next step
Step 5 : The justice of the peace : Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (km 62 to 69).
This is the major challenge of the circuit : the ascent to the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert (1,451 m), offering spectacular views of the summits.
Step 6 : The Chaudefour Valley and return (km 70 to 87).
Descent to the Vallée de Chaudefour Nature Reserve (famous for its volcanic dykes such as the Dent de la Rancune). The tour ends with a more downhill section to complete the loop at Besse.
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Opening hours
From 01/04 to 31/10/2026.
Comfort, facilities and services
- Car park
Environment
Lakeside or by stretch of water, Waterside, Mountain view
Downloadable :
Photo credits : DR Office de Tourisme du Sancy
Updated on 19 February 2026 by Office de Tourisme du Massif du Sancy