GrandAngle.Travel

Trekking and Hiking in Auvergne

Auvergne reveals its volcanic secrets to walkers seeking authentic experiences. Shaped by ancient volcanic fire, this region offers an exceptional setting for hiking, from peaceful crater lakes to the rounded peaks of the Puy de Sancy, the highest point in the Massif Central at 1885 metres. At Grand Angle, our in-depth knowledge of these volcanic landscapes and our network of local partners ensure you can explore Auvergne’s scenery with peace of mind. Our self-guided holidays and group trips cater to your spirit of exploration, whether you want to walk the legendary Grande Traversée du Massif Central or discover the hidden treasures of Cantal.

Cassandre Estelle Camille
Behind this trip, our experts

1 holidays to discover

  • Hikers on a ridge trail - Cantal mountains - Auvergne, France

    Lakes and volcanoes of Auvergne

    Self-guided Hiking lodge to lodge

    From €660

    4,4 · 17 reviews

    6 days
    ●●
    Comfort
    Next departure from May 1, 2027

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Explore Auvergne with Grand Angle, a land of volcanoes and unspoilt landscapes

Why choose Auvergne for your next hiking holiday?

Auvergne offers an exceptional variety of landscapes, shaped directly by its geological past. At the heart of the Massif Central lies the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park, the largest in mainland France. It is a wonderful setting for hikers, with the rounded volcanic domes of the Chaîne des Puys, its clear-water crater lakes, more alpine mountain ranges such as Cantal, and plateaus reminiscent of the steppes. Every route promises a chance to switch off and discover a natural world that is both gentle and wild.

Our holiday options for exploring Auvergne’s volcanoes in 2026

Self-guided hiking in Auvergne: independence with everything arranged

For those who like to walk at their own pace, our self-guided trips are the ideal choice. We take care of the logistics: booking accommodation, transporting your luggage and providing detailed route notes. This leaves you free to enjoy every day of walking with peace of mind, following a route carefully planned by our experts for its beauty and points of interest.

See also all our self-guided hiking holidays in France ➜

Group travel: shared experiences and expertise

If you would like to benefit from a local expert’s knowledge and share your experience with others, choose a group hiking holiday. Our mountain guides are passionate about their region and enrich your journey with stories about its wildlife, plants and volcanic geology. It is the perfect way to immerse yourself fully in the region in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Which route in Auvergne is right for you?

From the Chaîne des Puys to the Sancy mountains

Explore iconic sites such as the Puy de Dôme and the Puy de Sancy, the highest point in the Massif Central. These routes take you through distinctive landscapes of volcanoes, lakes and glacial valleys, often following sections of legendary trails such as the #Grande Traversée du Massif Central.

Cantal, Europe’s largest volcano

A #trek in Cantal offers a more mountainous setting. Its ridge trails and peaks sculpted by erosion appeal to walkers seeking magnificent panoramas and greater elevation changes. It is an immersive journey into the heart of a volcano of colossal proportions, where each day of walking reveals new perspectives.

Cézallier, a landscape reminiscent of the Mongolian steppe

The Cézallier plateau offers an experience all its own. Its vast grassy expanses, dotted with traditional stone herders' huts known as burons, create a unique sense of space and tranquillity. Nicknamed “Auvergne’s little Mongolia”, this area of summer grazing pastures lends itself to contemplative walks far from the bustle.

Practical tips for your hiking holiday in Auvergne

When to visit Auvergne?

The best time to hike in Auvergne is from May to October. Spring brings nature awakening and vibrant colours, summer guarantees long days and pleasant temperatures, while autumn dresses the landscapes in spectacular warm hues. The climate is typical of mid-altitude mountains, so it is advisable to bring clothing suitable for possible changes in the weather.

How to choose a holiday from our catalogue?

Your choice of hiking holiday will depend on your ability, the time you have available and the landscapes you prefer. Take time to assess the duration and daily elevation gain of each holiday. For personalised advice, our team of experts is here to help you find the trip that suits you; simply contact us.

Family hiking in Auvergne

With its accessible trails and fascinating volcanic history, Auvergne is a wonderful destination for a family hiking holiday in the mountains. Learning to tell a volcanic dome from a crater, spotting marmots in the Sancy mountains or imagining the power of ancient volcanoes are all fun, educational experiences for adventurers of every age. Several of our holidays can be adapted for families.

29 reviews

Édith 8/4/26

—  Very positive feedback on the hikes: - Routes carefully selected by our guide to showcase the beautiful scenery and avoid overly crowded trails - A guide who knows the Cantal Massif, its geology, and its flora very well—and is very interesting - A guide who pays close attention to each person However, you’ve rated this hike as “2 shoes,” while others rate it as “3 shoes,” which better reflects the difficulty level of this trip. Please take this comment into account, as it could cause confusion for some people. Mixed reviews on the meals: - For hikers, breakfast is insufficient. It lacks yogurt, fruit, soft-boiled eggs, and good-quality bread. The baguette was very mediocre. Dinner was very good—a stark contrast to breakfast. There needs to be a better balance between the two.

Thank you for your feedback. Regarding the difficulty level, we fully understand your point. Rating systems can vary from one organization to another, and we don’t all use the same standards. That’s why, in addition to the “2-shoe” rating, we provide very specific details about the elevation gain and distance for each stage on our website and in the trip’s technical description. This information allows everyone to assess the route based on their own abilities and hiking experience.
We’ve also taken note of your comments regarding breakfast and will pass them on to our partner. Thank you for these suggestions!

— Reply from Lorène (GrandAngle.Travel)

Sébastien 6/23/26 Lakes and volcanoes of Auvergne

—  The hike was enjoyable, even though we weren't able to rest as much as we would have liked. The price of the tour was a bit high compared to the hotels we chose.

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re delighted that you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the itinerary.
Regarding your comments on the accommodations, we’re sorry that the level of comfort didn’t fully meet your expectations. As indicated in our itinerary details, this trip takes place primarily in 2-star hotels (with just one night in a 3-star hotel).
In Auvergne, and particularly on this rugged route, hotel options remain limited and authentic. Above all, we prioritize location and proximity to the trails to ensure an immersive hiking experience. The price of the trip therefore reflects not only the accommodations but also all the logistics and organization involved in a self-guided tour.

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure,
The Grand Angle Team

— Reply from Lorène (GrandAngle.Travel)

DESVENAIN Arnaud 9/28/26

—  I highly recommend this trip. I loved the guide, the group, and exploring the Auvergne. This first experience will undoubtedly inspire me to take other trips and, of course, return to the Auvergne to continue exploring this magnificent region. Long live truffade!

Morda 8/19/26

—  The location of our stay was pleasant—VIC-sur-Cère (the dinner was very hearty, but the breakfast wasn't great and felt too processed). The hikes were short but intense, especially in the heat. The guide made sure to keep us in the shade as much as possible and to choose less-traveled routes, which I appreciated. He complemented the physical aspect of the hikes with very interesting commentary on geology and wildlife. The picnics were plentiful and very good (high-quality local products and delicious, well-balanced, homemade salads). He took good care of all group members, accounting for their varying abilities and specific needs. The group size was perfect.

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