Picherande: Lakes, moors and hiking trails

Picherande offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors, with lakes, woodland and moorland landscapes, hikes and a cycling route. Winter activities and cultural attractions are also part of what’s on offer. When planning your trip, specific route distances and walking times can help you choose outings that fit the time you have available.

Lakes, moors and waterfalls

Lac Chauvet is a maar—a former volcano—and lies at an altitude of 1,176 m. Four protected plant species in the ZNIEFF area of Lac Chauvet are associated with the lake’s aquatic vegetation. The area around the lake also includes beech forest and a raised bog with protected plant species. The landscape is therefore defined not just by the lakeshore: the forest and moorland are also key features.

The route to Lac Chauvet starts between the church and the town hall in Picherande. From Besse-en-Chandesse, it can be reached via the D978 and D203; check road conditions before setting out. Along the way, the route follows a stream and crosses footbridges, passing through beech forest, other woodland and pastures. It leads to Cascade de la Barthe and Lac Chauvet.

Cascade de la Barthe was formed by the erosion of a lava flow. Here, the Ruisseau de Neuffonds plunges down into the forest as a waterfall. There is a separate hike to the waterfall: it is very easy, runs mostly over level ground and is 1.5 km long. The round trip takes about 45 minutes.

Choose your hike by distance and time

Another short option is the Tourbière et lac de Gayme circular hike, which is 3.8 km long and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The longer La Fontaine Salée hiking route starts in Picherande and is classified as a difficult circular route. It covers 16.5 km and takes 5 hours and 15 minutes; seasonal access remains subject to official conditions. The approximately 45-minute hike to Cascade de la Barthe and the more-than-five-hour La Fontaine Salée route represent very different time commitments. The shorter hike is also rated very easy and runs mostly over level ground.

The area around Lac de Gayme also has several notable landscape features. The lake is artificial and was created on a moor in 1983. Beyond the Bois de Gayme beech forest lies the Gayme moor; the Fontaine Salée valley can be seen in the background. Lac de Gayme has four jetties built for fishing, including one with step-free access for people with reduced mobility.

Cycling and winter activities

For a cycling outing, the Espace Sancy VTT-FFC mountain-biking area in Picherande includes the green Bois de Gayme circuit, No. 8. The route is 5.1 km long, with an elevation gain of 90 m.

In winter, Picherande offers cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. Whether winter activities are open depends on snow conditions. There is also a roller-skiing trail. This means there are several ways to enjoy the outdoors in the area, each with different conditions and requirements; snow conditions are particularly important for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Culture and getting your bearings

Église Saint-Quintien dates back to the 14th century. Its original ensemble has been listed in the inventory of historic monuments since 1971. Another aspect of local history is explored by Sancy Tour No. 19: this walking tour and observation game around Picherande introduces visitors to the local dialect and life in this mountainous region.

The Fête de la Gentiane celebrates gentian and features a program of events, exhibitions and walks centered on the plant. The event is scheduled for August 14 and 15; check the exact dates for your travel year. IGN maps showing Picherande’s trails are available at all Sancy tourist offices. As availability and map editions may change, ask for the current edition if needed.

Discover more destinations: Boudes, Sauvessanges, Lachaux, Brousse, Coudes, Champs, Auzelles, La Sauvetat.

For the main travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.