Our take
The trail that sums up volcanic Auvergne in 190 km. Lakes, puys, plateaux: it even competed for the title of the French people's favourite GR in 2021.
A 190 km walking loop between the puys and the lakes of the Sancy. The grand tour of volcanic Auvergne, in 8 to 12 days of stages.
Waymarked Grande Randonnée long-distance trail forming a 190 km loop through the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy, with start and finish up to you (Orcival, Le Mont-Dore, Murol or Saint-Nectaire, for example). It takes in the main lakes (Aydat, Chambon, Pavin, Servières, Guéry) and the finest puys (volcanoes). Allow 8 to 12 days depending on your pace: gîtes d'étape (walkers' hostels) and hotels line the route. The FFRandonnée topo-guide (the French hiking federation's guidebook) describes each stage in detail.
Why we love it
- Lac Pavin appearing between the trees, almost too perfect
- Out of breath at the top of the puys, the view opening out over the chain
- The alternation of dense forest, open moorland and water everywhere
- The feeling of completing something big, stage after stage
Top tip
Do the GR30 in 10 days to enjoy it without it being a slog. The direction of travel depends on your starting point and the stage you want to keep for the end.
Before you go
- Choose your starting point according to where you're staying, the loop can be done in either direction
- Book your gîtes d'étape in advance, places go fast in summer
- The FFRandonnée topo-guide describes each stage in detail, handy for adapting to the weather on the day
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
11°/2°
4 mm · 29 km/h
Tomorrow
14°/1°
dry · 7 km/h
Tue 27
19°/10°
0 mm · 18 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
- 1325 Bd des Vernières, 63150 La Bourboule, France
63150 La Bourboule - Monday9h–17h
- Tuesday9h–17h
- Wednesday9h–17h
- Thursday9h–17h
- Friday9h–17h
- Saturday9h–17h
- Today9h–17h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 56 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
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Your logbook
Around GR 30 Tour des Volcans et Lacs d'Auvergne
8 spots in and around La Bourboule, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Là-Haut
4.8Le Mont-Dore · 1.9 km away
Le Garrison
4.6La Bourboule · 1.9 km away
€€€Les Fées Mères
4.6La Bourboule · 3.3 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hôtel Le Castelet
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 3.6 km away
€€€Cabanes des Volcans
4.4La Tour-d'Auvergne · 4.3 km away
Gîte de la Tâche
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 4.9 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On footBanne d'Ordanche
Start: Au panneau de randonnée, au bout du parking le long de la route
- 8.5 km
- +488 m
- 3 h
On footPlateau du Guéry via the Puy Loup
Start: Centre Montagnard Cap Guéry, Col de Guéry, 63210 Orcival
- 13.2 km
- +530 m
- 4 h 30 min
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Guide
GR30 : le tour des lacs d'Auvergne étape par étape
Distance réelle, découpage en 9 étapes, sens de la boucle, bivouac, hébergements et meilleure saison : notre guide complet du GR30, le tour des lacs d'Auvergne.
Guide
Que faire à La Bourboule : thermes, parc Fenestre et portes du Sancy
À 850 m, au bord de la Dordogne naissante, La Bourboule aligne parc Fenestre, Grands Thermes et plateau de Charlannes. On vous dit ce qui vaut le détour, été comme hiver.
Hikes around GR 30 Tour des Volcans et Lacs d'Auvergne
On footBanne d'Ordanche
Start: Au panneau de randonnée, au bout du parking le long de la route
- 8.5 km
- +488 m
- 3 h
On footPlateau du Guéry via the Puy Loup
Start: Centre Montagnard Cap Guéry, Col de Guéry, 63210 Orcival
- 13.2 km
- +530 m
- 4 h 30 min
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Continue
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