High beams

Saint-Genès-Champanelle

Dogs allowed

Distance 15.5Km

Duration 4h30

Hiking route BOUCLE

Marking Green

In pictures

Route description

At the foot of one of the most famous volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys, Puy de la Vache, you can observe various volcanic phenomena through vegetation, basalt quarries, ponds and magnificent views.

Trail highlights

View of the Puys, including those of La Vache and Lassolas.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

Step 1 : take the path at the far end of the parking lot and continue straight ahead through the cheire to the end of the wood. Reach a road.

Step 2 : Turn right onto a tarmac track (view of Lac de la Cassière) alongside a main road (D 2089). Turn left to go through the tunnel. At the next crossroads, turn right into the undergrowth. Ignore the left and right paths and continue straight ahead to reach a road. Cross the road and follow the path to a crossroads.

Step 3 : Climb to the right. Ignore a track on the right and descend to a T-junction. Turn right. Leave a wide track on the right leading up to Puy de Charmont and continue to a crossroads. Go straight ahead (view of Puys, including those of La Vache and Lassolas), cross a road (stele) and continue to the first track on the right.

Step 4 : Go downhill and, at the intersection, continue right to the next intersection. Go left, then right. At the road, turn right to the bridge under the D2089.

Next step

Step 5 : Pass under the road and turn right, then take the first track on the left. At the crossroads, go straight on, then climb right into the forest. At the clearing, continue straight ahead. At the large crossroads, go straight ahead (towards puys de la Vache and Lassolas). At the foot of the puy de la Vache, turn right and continue straight ahead to reach the starting point.

Proposed and managed by the Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme – PDIPR.

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Opening hours

From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.

Subject to favorable weather.

Comfort, facilities and services

  • Pets welcome

Additional information

For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.

Dogs allowed All dogs must be kept on leashes because of the presence of herds.

Environment

Forest location, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

Access

From Randanne on the D2089 south-west of Clermont-Ferrand, take the D5 towards Saint-Genès-Champanelle. 1.5 km after Château de Montlosier, large parking lot on the right.

Downloadable :

GPX – ITI0031

Updated on 29 May 2026 by Conseil départemental du Puy-de-Dôme