• Rugged Cantal Mountains

• Everyday (subject to availability) from mid May to mid October

• Please contact us for a quote for your group

• grade explained

• 8 days: 6 days guided walking, centre based holiday

• A sumptuous green landscape of wild and rugged ridges, elegant peaks and glaciated valleys
• Exciting and dramatic walking
• A rich upland flora and fauna
• An important rural heritage with picturesque well preserved villages and farmsteads made up of sturdy and pretty houses.
• A unique site - the largest volcano (now extinct) in western Europe
• A unique walking holiday, created to experience the finest Cantal landscapes

• On this French walking holiday, you'll be staying in two guest houses, which are small chambres d'hôtes style accommodation. They are 2 and 3 star equivalent in quality offering authentic and comfortable accommodation. They are historic properties that have been lovingly restored where you'll be reserved a warm and generous welcome and enjoy home cooked fresh cuisine. They are located in stunning surroundings

1. Transfer from Lyon, transport to and from each walk, 6 guided walks, 7 night's full board accommodation (except lunch on day of arrival and departure)

1. Travel to Lyon, France, lunches on day of arrival and departure, any excursions or entrance fees, travel insurance

See our travel diary from Auvergne

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Walking profile

This French guided walking holiday includes a series of circular day walks with average ascents of between 500m and 1000m. The walks vary in difficulty in terms of length, which will allow us to pace ourselves during the week. The terrain is mountainous. The paths are generally good although they can be rough and stony in places. There are some sections where you will need to use your hands for stability or progression, although they are brief and the majority of the time the walking is without difficulty. The holiday is suitable for the regular walker. Some walking experience in mountainous terrain would be an advantage, but is not essential, as long as you are sure footed and have a good head for heights.

Day to day walking

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Lyon and transfer to the Cantal mountains in Auvergne. Evening meal in guest house.

Day 2: Plâteau du Limon (5hrs, +600m)

A fairly easy day to ease you into the week designed to discover the Limon plateau to the north of your guest house. Once you’ve climbed out of the glaciated valley you’ll explore a unique landscape of moors, bogs and grazing land covering a plateau of deep lava fields, punctuated by small hills and valleys. 

Day 3: Puy Griou

A lovely walk. From the Col de Font Cère we'll climb very gently in the direction of Puy Griou. After making a tour of the peak, it's possible to go to its perfect coned summit. (1690m) It's central location provides a great panorama of the peaks and valleys we'll be exploring during the week. We'll descend via the Bois de Combe Nègre. 5hrs +500m

Day 4: Puy de Peyre Arse

A great day's walking for those who enjoy aesthetic mountain routes away from the main paths. You’ll ascend the superb, rocky north east ridge of the Puy de Peyre Arse. This is a beautiful ridge ascending 700m that leads almost directly from the B&B to the lofty summit. After a moderate descent you’ll scale the various summits of the Puy Bataillouse before descending directly to your B&B. (5hrs, +910m)

Day 5: Plomb du Cantal

Today's walking tour takes us to the highest summit in the Cantal range. Starting from the Cere Valley, we'll climb to the Puy Gros and then follow the stunning ridge line, following an ancient Roman route to the summit Plomb du Cantal (1855m) for great panoramic views. We'll then descend by the Puy Brunet and the Apron du Diable and the village Les Gardes. 6hrs +920m

Day 6: Puy Mary

Our circular walk takes us to the Puy Mary, the emblematic summit of the Cantal range, its pyramidal summit having been formed by glaciers creating a series of ridges and valleys spanning out in all directions from its summit. From Gravière we'll ascend along the slopes of a u-shaped valley to the Col de Cabre. From here it's an amazing walk along mountain flanks and ridges on the edge of a wonderful ampitheatre before summiting the Puy Mary. We'll descend by another ridgeline. 5-6hrs +700m

Day 7: Cirque du Falgoux

This is the longest and hardest day, although smaller alternatives are possible. Our walk starts and finishes in Falgoux and follows the rugged volcanic ridges in a spectacular and demanding horseshoe. The route climbs up onto the ridge to the south of the village and flirts with a number of wild volcanic peaks to reach the head of the valley near the Puy Mary. The return walk follows another amazing ridgeline taking in a couple of peaks including the Puy de la Tourte (1704m). 7hrs +1000m

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Lyon.

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