Our take
The roof of the Cantal. At the summit, an orientation table to put a name to the Puy Mary, the Puy Griou and the puy de Sancy. Easy to reach by the Lioran cable car in summer.
The roof of the Cantal at 1,855 m, the second-highest summit in the Massif Central. Lioran cable car in summer, then a short walk, with a panorama over the Puy Mary.
At 1,855 metres, the Plomb du Cantal is the highest point of the Monts du Cantal, and the second-highest summit in the Massif Central, just behind the puy de Sancy. The Lioran cable car lifts you to near the summit in a few minutes, and a short walk then gets you to the top. It runs in summer and in winter: in 2026, the summer season ran from 13 June to 13 September, with two openings in May. On foot, allow 4 hours there and back on the GR from Le Lioran, or a loop of 3 hours 55 from the Col de Prat de Bouc. At the top, an orientation table details the panorama: the Puy Mary, the Puy Griou, the puy de Sancy and many other summits of the Massif Central. In winter, the cable car also serves the Le Lioran ski area.
Why we love it
- The highest point of the Monts du Cantal (1,855 m), 2nd in the Massif Central
- Easy access by the Lioran cable car in summer
- The panorama over the Puy Mary, the Puy Griou and the puy de Sancy
Top tip
In summer, the Lioran cable car cuts the climb right down: only a short walk remains to the summit. On foot, allow 4 hours there and back on the GR from Le Lioran. Strong, frequent wind at the summit: a windproof jacket is essential, even in July.
Before you go
- For the low light at the end of the day, check the cable car timetable: in 2026, it closed between 16:40 and 18:30 depending on the period, with the last ascent ten minutes before
- Bring a warm layer even in summer, the wind at the summit often takes people by surprise
- Cable car closed? The summit can be reached on foot: 4 hours there and back on the GR from Le Lioran, or a loop of 3 hours 55 from the Col de Prat de Bouc
- Cable car, summer 2026: €16.90 return for adults, €14.70 for ages 12 to 17, €11.90 for ages 5 to 11; dogs on a lead go up at no extra charge
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
5°/1°
18 mm · 44 km/h
Tomorrow
9°/2°
dry · 21 km/h
Tue 27
11°/6°
0 mm · 27 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- 15800 Saint-Jacques-des-Blats, France
15800 Saint-Jacques-des-Blats
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