Puy de Dôme – Hiking from the Maison de Site

The unmissable climb up the Puy de Dôme via the famous Chemin des Muletiers

Starting from the car park at the Maison de Site at the foot of the volcano (in the commune of Orcines), this hike follows the historic route of the Chemin des Muletiers. Winding in regular(…)

The unmissable climb up the Puy de Dôme via the famous Chemin des Muletiers

Starting from the car park at the Maison de Site at the foot of the volcano (in the commune of Orcines), this hike follows the historic route of the Chemin des Muletiers. Winding in regular hairpin bends up the southern flank of the Puy de Dôme, this route is the most popular and direct way to reach the summit of this ‘Grand Site de France’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights of the hike :
• The Muletiers’ experience : Climb this path as it winds its way through the forest and then up through the high-altitude pastures.
• An exceptional summit : On arrival, discover the remains of the Gallo-Roman Temple of Mercury, the exhibition area and the observatory.
• A legendary panorama : Enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Chaîne des Puys, the Monts Dore, the Limagne plain and the Clermont-Ferrand conurbation.
• Flexible return journey : You can either walk back down the same route or take the Panoramique des Dômes (rack railway).

Practical information & Technical details :
• Start / Finish : Car park at the Puy de Dôme Visitor Centre (63870 Orcines)
• Signposting : A well-maintained and clearly signposted trail

A short but steep climb with a concentrated elevation gain. Make sure you wear suitable walking shoes and warm, windproof clothing, as the summit is often windy and cooler than in the valley.