Auberge Fondain
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Highlights
Varied and interesting walking through spectacular volcanic landscapes
A region of perfectly preserved volcanic domes easily accessible on foot
Dramatic waterfalls, beautiful lakes and strange rock formations
Historic villages with important Romanesque churches built from volcanic stone
Great views and abundant wildlife
Welcoming guest house in historic buildings
Choice of walks to suit varied tastes and at different levels
Let 's discover the full itinerary!
Arrival
Warm welcome at your first accommodation. Settle in and tasty evening meal.
A stroll among the Volcanoes
This circular walk ascends the Puy Pariou in the Puy de Dome area; a remarkable landscape found in the northern Auvergne that is unique in Europe. With some volcanoes as young as 7000 years old, this region of perfectly preserved volcanic cones lets you walk back in time to an era when lava and hot ash filled the skies. After climbing onto the Puy Pariou you'll complete a gentle traverse underneath a series of volcanoes.
6 – 12km, +220m – 330m
Puy de la Vache & Puy Lassolas
These volcanoes are distinctive features, although they are not always visible from the surrounding roads. They are two volcanoes made of red rock with little vegetation cover, giving the impression that they’ve only recently erupted. They are both collapsed on one side and their ascents make for an interesting short excursion and provide great views of the Puy de Dome. The walk can be extended to explore the chaotic lava flows in the area.
12km, +395m
Puy de Dome
The Puy de Dome, the highest and most impressive of all the volcanoes at 1465m, is also the site of a 1st-century Roman Temple. A short but steep walk takes you to the summit for remarkable views in all directions across a sea of volcanoes. An alternative way to reach the top is via the new railway that opened in 2012.
Around Orcival
This walk visits the pretty historic village of Orcival nestled in a secluded valley and its 12th-century basilica. This walk also passes chateaux, chapels, and historic villages. After climbing away from the historic village of Rochefort Montagne the trail takes you along a delightful ridge to the edge of a beautiful glaciated valley with great views of the surrounding peaks, before descending to Orcival via a pilgrims path with the Stations of the Cross. Your return goes via the Chateau des Cordes and the hamlet of St Martin de Tours.
18km, +480m
Traverse & Descent from Puy de Dome
You’ll take the cable car from Mont Dore to the top of the Puy de Sancy, a spectacular summit with amazing views, which is not only the highest point in the Auvergne but in the whole of the Massif Central, reaching 1885m (6184ft). After taking in the views you have the choice of two walks leading back down the valley. The longer option follows the glacial u-shaped valley revealing a multitude of views of rocky faces, dramatic waterfalls, and views over the surrounding hills and valleys.
13km, +500m
La Banne d'Ordanche
Near the town of Mont Dore, this moderate walk starts by the Col de Guéry where there are great views of two volcanic rock towers which stand like sentinels on either side of a beautiful glaciated valley. After walking past Lac Guéry you'll ascend by a gentle path to the Banne d'Ordanche, offering great views of the Puy de Sancy.
14km, +465m
Lake Pavin and the village of Besse
This walking trail in Auvergne starts in the historic village of Besse en Chandesse with its town walls and pretty cottages built from volcanic rock which you can explore at the end of the walk. Your route follows a pretty glaciated valley to Lac Pavin, a remarkable circular volcanic lake, the youngest volcanic formation in France. A lovely walk around its rim is followed by a traverse across the varied countryside, with volcanic peaks, forest, wetlands and green pastures back to the village.
14km, +290m
Lake Chambon, Murol Castle & St Nectaire
Choice of walks with a chance to visit the medieval chateau at Murol, the village of St Nectaire, known for its famous cheese and home of a remarkable 12th-century church and the beautiful lake Chambon.
14km, +430m
Montagne de Capucin
From just above the village of Mont Dore, this short walk climbs to reach the edge of the u-shaped valley of the Dordogne where you can ascend the summit of la Capucin for great views of the Puy de Sancy and the other summits in this mountain range. You can extend the walk to take in a higher summit nearby.
8km, +300m
At a glance
15 May - 30 September
From €1235 per person (based on 2 sharing)
Self-Guided
7 nights / 6 days walking
Centre-based
Distance:12 - 18km
Ascent: 250-500m per day
Small hotels and guest house, rooms with private bathrooms
Full-board (except 2 evening meals)
Other self-guided walking holidays in the Auvergne
Summits of Auvergne: Tour of Sancy
Tour of Ardeche: Rustic Trails
Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France
Other centre-based walking holidays
Auvergne
This self-guided walking holiday explores the Northern Auvergne in central France which is home to some of the finest landscapes in France. They make for interesting and varied walking with lush green valleys sheltering beneath windswept upland ridges and peaks, affording breathtaking views in all directions. The Auvergne is also the region with the highest number of Romanesque churches and monuments in France. For the most part, built on Celtic sacred sites, these works of art tell a tale of labour, faith and passion of the Middle Ages. Whether it be important churches, smaller but no less charming chapels or historic villages such as Orcival and Besse, they are set within sumptuous natural scenery protected within a regional natural park.
This self-guided French walking holiday will explore many of the features that make up this beautiful landscape including volcanic and glacial lakes, volcanic domes, rocky cliffs, secluded valleys and dramatic waterfalls. In the north, the Chaine des Puys are a range of 80 geologically recent volcanic domes and cones which stretch as far as the eye can see. These varied landscapes are also a haven for wildlife, including birds of prey, deer, marmots and a host of wildflowers.
This is a self-drive walking holiday where you require your own car to access the walks and accommodation.
Holiday Profile
7 night/8 days: 6 days centre-based independent walking
Dates
Everyday (subject to availability) from 15 May to 30 September
Walking Profile & Grade
The walks on this independent walking holiday in Auvergne are graded moderate to challenging and explore the full range of landscapes found in northern Auvergne. There is the option of making some walks longer or shorter as required. Longer days out on the hills can be interspersed with shorter easier days exploring the lakes and villages of the region. The walking holiday notes include more walks than you have days in the holiday so that you can choose your walks based on the weather, your interests, or the level of difficulty. Ascents are generally no more than a couple of hundred metres at a time. The average length is about 15km. All the walks are on good paths, although they are sometimes on hilly/mountainous terrain. The upland terrain is occasionally rocky and requires a degree of surefootedness as well as a good head for heights.
This walking holiday is graded moderate to challenging. See more information about walking grades.
Accommodation & Meals
On this self-guided walking holiday in the Auvergne, you will be staying in two or three small guest houses which are also auberges. They are in traditional Auvergne properties offering authentic and comfortable accommodation. They are located across the northern Auvergne to reduce the amount of driving to each of the walks. All but two evening meals are included in your holiday price.
Where is this walking holiday?
When to Travel
Our centre-based self-guided walking holiday in the Auvergne is available from 15 May to 30 September. Although this is not a high altitude holiday some walks do go above 1500m in altitude where snow could still be present mid-May if spring weather conditions have been cool. From late May onwards there should be far less risk of snow. However, you have the choice of walks so the holiday is possible even if there is late snow in May. The weather in the Auvergne generally is more settled during the summer months, although unsettled or stormy weather is possible at any time. The busiest period in terms of tourists and fellow walkers is from Mid July to mid August. May and June are the best months for wildflowers on the mountains. See more details about the average Auvergne weather conditions.
Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps
Most of the walks have a variety of waymarkings. There are several GR or grande Randonnée that cross the area. The GR4, GR30, and GR441 all cross the region. These long-distance trails are well, way-marked with red and white markings. There are also several signposts along the trails, which indicate directions and place names. In addition, most of the other non-GR trails are marked with other waymarkings, usually yellow.
The walking trails are on clear paths, tracks, or minor roads. Our walking notes are detailed (more information here) and easy to follow. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply walking maps. You'll be provided with two detailed 1:25,000 walking maps.
Luggage Transfers
On this walking holiday, there are no bag transfers. This is a self-drive walking holiday where you require your own car to access the walks and accommodation.
Travel Info
Self Drive
Channel ferry crossings from Dover are provided by a number of operators including P&O Ferries & DFDS seaways. Crossings are also provided by train with Eurotunnel.
Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Auvergne area takes about 7-8 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 40 euros each way. This option would allow you to access the walks without having to hire a car.
Fly-Drive
The nearest airport is Clermont Ferrand which only has limited services which change each year. Consult the airport website for more details. There maybe connecting flights via Amsterdam.Other airports served by low-cost carriers are Limoges and Rodez in the west, and Lyon Saint Exupery in the east.
7 nights / 6 days walking
- €1235
- Prices per person are based on 2 sharing a room
- Option of adapting the holiday to the number of nights you would like
What's included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure and two evening meals)
- Detailed walking notes and maps, including information about the region and the sites on the route
What's not included in the price
- Travel to and from France
- Travel to access walks and accommodation
- Car hire (if you do not travel with your own vehicle)
- Lunches on the day of arrival and departure and 2 evening meals
- Drinks with evening meals
- Any excursions or entrance fees
- Travel insurance
Payment
- A deposit payment of 30% or at least £250 or 250€ per person must be made to confirm your booking. The balance of payments is due 8 weeks before the holiday date. If the holiday date is less that 8 weeks away at the time of booking, then the full price should be paid.
On this self-guided walking holiday in the Auvergne, you will be staying in two or three small guest houses which are also auberges. They are in traditional Auvergne properties offering authentic and comfortable accommodation. They are located across the northern Auvergne to reduce the amount of driving to each of the walks.
Extra Nights
Our standard walking holiday includes 7 nights and 6 days of walking. It is possible to tailor this centre-based trip to include between 4 and 10 nights according to the amount of time you have. The number of nights in each accommodation would be varied accordingly Please contact us so that we can discuss your holiday plans.
Combining trips
This trip could be combined with our walking holidays elsewhere in the Auvergne such as the Tranquil Auvergne Trail or Summit of Auvergne: Tour of Sancy
Tailor Made Trips
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in Lyon and Avignon. Contact us to add them to your hike.
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Testimonials
Wonderful holiday, your knowledge of the geography and geology of the area added to the interest of the walks which were both varied and interesting. I appreciated the opportunity to see such a wide area of the Auvergne and would have a hard time deciding which of the walks I liked best.
Ricki B.