Discover Orcines: Volcanoes, Hiking Trails and History

Orcines offers a range of starting points for planning your trip: volcanic landscapes, hiking trails and historic sites. The places and trails below show the different ways to explore Orcines.

Volcanoes and Views in Orcines

Puy de Dôme is the highest volcano in the Chaîne des Puys – faille de Limagne. Around its summit, there are various ways to experience the landscape: the Chemin de ronde circles the summit and offers 360-degree views of the landscape. Puy des Goules offers a different perspective. This 1,146-metre-high volcano has a regular crater measuring 200 metres in diameter and 40 metres deep. From the summit, you can see Grand Sarcoui, Puy de Dôme and the southern part of the Chaîne des Puys.

The viewpoint at Croix de Ternant also offers far-reaching views of Clermont-Ferrand, the Limagne plain and the Chaîne des Puys. These named viewpoints and volcanic formations provide distinct points of reference for planning your trip. The details about the crater at Puy des Goules give the landscape a specific form, while the viewpoints show which places and landscapes can be seen from there.

Hiking Trails with Different Destinations

The trails differ in their routes and destinations. The Chemin de ronde circles the summit of Puy de Dôme. Le Tour du puy de Dôme is a hike around the largest dome in the Chaîne des Puys. The Chemin des Muletiers, by contrast, leads to the summit: it is the shortest and also the most strenuous route there, and has been used since antiquity. When comparing trails for your trip, these are clear differences between a hike around a summit area and a route to the summit.

Via d’Orciane is a designated hiking trail in Orcines. There is also a described loop trail at Puy des Goules, from which the Grotte du Sarcoui can be viewed safely. The trails offer different experiences: a circuit, an ascent, or a hike that takes in a historic site. Croix de Ternant offers another viewpoint, with its panorama of Clermont-Ferrand, the Limagne plain and the Chaîne des Puys.

History Between Temple and Quarry

The Temple de Mercure stands on the summit of Puy-de-Dôme in Orcines. It is a Gallo-Roman temple dating from the 1st century AD. Its ruins were listed as a historic monument in 1889. This helps place the site in context: the temple complex dates from the Gallo-Roman period, while its designation as a historic monument dates from the 19th century.

Another historic site is the Grotte du Sarcoui on the slopes of Grand Sarcoui (Aydat/Orcines). It is a former Merovingian quarry carved into domite, where sarcophagi were made. Access to the interior of the cave is strictly prohibited by administrative order. The cave can be viewed safely from the Puy des Goules loop trail. This makes the distinction between the site’s historical purpose and how it can be visited today clear: its interior is closed, but it can be viewed from the loop trail.

Getting Your Bearings and Travelling to Puy de Dôme

The Maison de Site du puy de Dôme offers tourist information and exhibition areas about the formation of the Earth and the Chaîne des Puys. It complements the hiking trails and viewpoints with a place where you can explore these topics through exhibitions. Your plans can therefore include both trails in the landscape and a tourist information centre with exhibition areas.

The Panoramique des Dômes takes passengers to an altitude of 1,465 metres in 15 minutes. Audio commentary during the journey covers the history of Puy de Dôme. T2C line P36 goes directly to the departure station of the Panoramique des Dômes at the foot of Puy de Dôme. If you plan to use this connection, check the current timetable in advance. This will help you plan around hiking trails, viewpoints, historic sites and a ride on the Panoramique des Dômes, according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Manglieu, Pionsat, Cros, Servant, Sauret-Besserve, Bertignat, Murat-Le-Quaire, Sauxillanges.

Return to the main travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.