Trails in Puy-de-Dôme

The department of Puy-de-Dôme is full of natural treasures, with 80 volcanoes (yes, really) recorded across the territory! A great spot to enjoy the view? Simply the summit of Puy de Dôme, the roof of the chain of Puys, located at 1465 meters high. From up there, you can observe the entire volcanic chain, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2018. It's the Earth's history 🌎 staring back at you! Since 2002, a theme park honors this exceptional natural heritage, namely Vulcania. It's like a Futuroscope of volcanoes, perfect for a family visit 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧. A paradise for hikers and nature lovers, the department is ideal for invigorating holidays. Beyond Clermont-Ferrand, other major towns include Cournon-d'Auvergne, Riom, and Issoire. These are good bases before heading to explore the lakes, peaks ⛰, and all forest trails 🌲 around. And its most beautiful gorges! The gorges of Monne or those of Sioule are most mentioned, you will surely find other more exclusive ones 🤫 by asking the locals... With two regional natural parks, those of the Volcans d'Auvergne and Livradois-Forez, also spanning the departments of Loire and Haute-Loire, you'll have plenty of places to breathe fresh air 😎. Gastronomy lovers 😋 can already plan a visit to the town of Saint-Nectaire, which gave its name to the famous cheese 🧀! A must-see is also the Michelin museum for culture and history enthusiasts. The famous Bibendum was indeed born in Clermont-Ferrand in 1898... Another nice place to visit and potentially very educational for your children: the Puy de Lemptégy site, very well arranged. Wilder, the Rossignolet waterfall also awaits you, after a beautiful forest walk. The town of Mont-Dore is also worth discovering, especially since the Puy de Sansy, the highest point of the Massif Central (1885 meters), is not far away.

Ready for the trail calendar in Puy-de-Dôme? The trails are more frequent than road races around here! And let me tell you, there's quite a crowd! The Trail du Sancy Mont-Dore Caisse d'Epargne might let you run your first race on a volcano 🌋, which isn't that common, is it?! Several distances are offered, including the "Grand Trail du Sancy", a scenic long trail. In Volvic, another symbol of the department, the Trail de Vulcain is waiting for you. A hiking event is also planned, calling all enthusiasts! Does VVX sound familiar? Three initials that stand for the Volvic Volcanic Experience, an epic race with many ultra trail distances, and also a junior course. It's a way to inspire new passions... At the Trail des Piqueurs, which takes place in Saint-Jean-des-Ollières, a relay race will allow you to enjoy the race with friends for even stronger memories!

Eruptions 🌋 of pleasure ahead!