Travel Guides

Walking in the Auvergne : 42 Walks in the Massif Central - France's volcano region

by Rachel Crolla and Carl McKeating

One of France's least visited and most geologically spectacular regions, the Auvergne sits at the heart of the Massif Central, shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity that left behind a landscape of dramatic peaks, crater lakes, ancient lava flows, and some of the most unspoilt countryside in western Europe. From the famous Puy de Dôme and the high summits of the Cantal to the gorges of the Loire and the abbeys of the Haute-Loire, this is a walking destination of extraordinary variety and character. This guidebook describes 42 day walks ranging from 2 to 16km (1 to 10 miles) and taking 1 to 6 hours, organised across five distinct areas of the Auvergne. The walks are graded 1 to 3 and spread across the Cantal, the Chaîne des Puys, the Monts Dore, the Haute-Loire (including the Livradois-Forez regional nature park), and the Montagne Bourbonnaise. Highlights include volcanic summits such as Puy de Dôme, Puy Mary, Plomb du Cantal, and Puy de Sancy, alongside crater lakes Pavin and Guéry, magnificent abbeys at Chaise-Dieu and Lavaudieu, and the Volvic spring. Sketch maps are included for every walk alongside detailed information on accommodation and public transport, with local points of interest featured throughout. Background sections cover the region's volcanic history, plants, wildlife, and food and drink, giving rich context for the landscapes and villages you encounter. Ideal bases include Le Puy-en-Velay and Vichy, with Murat for the Cantal, Orcival for the Monts Dore and Dômes, and Mayet-de-Montagne for the Montagne Bourbonnaise.

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