Cantal: Volcanic Landscapes, Trails and Heritage

From Puy Mary, the view stretches across glacier-carved valleys radiating outward, high plateaus with summer pastures, and rocky peaks. The Monts du Cantal form Europe’s largest stratovolcano; deep valleys shaped by the Ice Age alternate with high plateaus. Landscapes, trails and cultural sites give your trip through Cantal a range of focal points.

Volcanic landscapes and finding your bearings at Puy Mary

At the Pas de Peyrol visitor centre, an audiovisual exhibition explains the formation, changes and present-day appearance of the Cantal volcano. From the centre, a path leads to the orientation table at Puy Mary, where a panorama is accompanied by explanations from a Grand Site guide. Access to the path depends on the weather and local conditions. Check the visitor centre’s current services before setting out.

Trails, cycling tours and activities

The trail network in Cantal covers 3,263 kilometres of publicly accessible paths. The total length may change as routes are added or reclassified. The Cantal Rando et Découverte app lists more than 650 outings for hiking, mountain biking, cycling and multi-day hikes. It works entirely offline. The catalogue’s scope and categories, as well as app features, may change with updates.

Mountain bikers can choose from five circuits in the Puy Mary area, certified by the French Cycling Federation and covering three difficulty levels; the selection of routes may change. The V74 Grande Traversée du Volcan à Vélo runs for 133 kilometres through the Massif du Cantal. Its route may be updated. The Grande Traversée des Volcans d’Auvergne links Chamalières with Le Lioran over 210 kilometres and 11 stages. Check the distance and stage breakdown before planning your trip. The information about the V74 and the Grande Traversée describes separate routes and planning details.

Guided canyoning is also available in the Puy Mary area, with professional supervision. Availability depends on providers and seasonal conditions, so check what is on offer before making specific plans. This helps you consider publicly accessible trails, designated cycling routes and guided activities as different options for your stay.

Culture and views in Salers

In Salers, the town’s historic character is reflected in its turreted houses, a belfry and town walls featuring medieval and Renaissance elements. The church houses a 15th-century Entombment with nine life-size figures. Other historic features include paintings, tapestries and statues. From the Barrouze Esplanade, you can look out over the Maronne and Aspre valleys; the architecture and the view offer two different perspectives on Salers.

In the Pays de Salers, the Auvergne castle route includes at least nine castles open to visitors. The programme features guided tours, concerts, exhibitions and plays. Check visiting options before your trip. Another themed route is the Route des Fromages AOP d’Auvergne: its 36 stops take you to breeders, producers or cheese refiners in Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme. The selection of stops may change.

The medieval remains of Cotteughes

Cotteughes preserves the remains of a medieval village that was abandoned at the end of the 14th century. The site covers about four hectares and includes more than thirty dwellings known as “cases”.

If you are looking for a hotel for your trip to Cantal, you can start planning by focusing on your interests: trails and cycling routes, volcanic landscapes, or culture in Salers and the Pays de Salers.

Discover more destinations: Maurs, Méallet, Montgreleix, Mourjou, Naucelles, Parlan, Paulhac, Marmanhac, Jussac, Arches, Labesserette, Saint-Mamet-La-Salvetat, Lascelle, Aurillac, Les Ternes, Dienne, Antignac, Saint-Urcize, Arpajon-Sur-Cère, Alleuze, Mauriac, Paulhenc, Saint-Poncy, Polminhac, Laroquebrou, Neussargues-Moissac, Jou-Sous-Monjou, Le Claux, Laveissière, Bassignac, Lacapelle-Viescamp, Loubaresse, Massiac, Chalvignac, Apchon, Condat, Ferrières-Saint-Mary, Cheylade, Saint-Cirgues-De-Jordanne, Landeyrat, Saint-Santin-Cantalès, Saint-Amandin, Saint-Étienne-De-Chomeil, Crandelles, Boisset, Pleaux, Lanobre, Beaulieu, Sansac-De-Marmiesse, Chaudes-Aigues, Saint-Flour, Vézac, Murat, Faverolles, Clavières, Champs-Sur-Tarentaine-Marchal, Neuvéglise, Allanche, Chavagnac, Lafeuillade-En-Vézie, Vieillevie, Tournemire, Saint-Étienne-Cantalès, Vèze, Saint-Cernin, Talizat, Giou-De-Mamou, Virargues, Le Falgoux, Junhac, Saint-Gérons, Lapeyrugue, Le Monteil, Champagnac, Montmurat, Reilhac, Trémouille, Saint-Julien-de-Toursac, Saint-Constant, Montsalvy, Saint-Illide, Saint-Martin-Valmeroux, Sansac-Veinazès, Senézergues, Thiézac, Valette, Valuéjols, Vic-Sur-Cère, Besse, Sauvat, Calvinet, Celoux, Salers, Vezels Roussy, Marcenat, Auzers, Saint-Mary-le-Plain, Raulhac, Anglards-De-Saint-Flour, Ladinhac, Lavigerie, Joursac, Ytrac, Ruynes-en-Margeride, Vitrac, Labrousse, Lavastrie, Chaussenac, Roumégoux, Le Rouget, Leynhac, Chalinargues, Pailherols, Rézentières, Ally, Marcolès, Cros-De-Ronesque, Saignes, Nieudan, Mandailles-Saint-Julien, Saint-Jacques-Des-Blats, Saint-Étienne-De-Maurs, Riom-Ès-Montagne, Carlat, Cassaniouze, Coltines, Drugeac, Fontanges, Freix-Anglards, Gourdièges, Pers

For the broader travel overview: Auvergne.