Our take
Auvergne's highest lake. An easy walk round it with the family, and atmospheric photos in autumn or on misty days. Trout stocked throughout the season, for fishing that is truly family-friendly.
Auvergne's highest lake (1,244 m), fishing, a path round the lake, views of the Sancy.
Auvergne's highest lake, at an altitude of 1,244 m, in the Massif du Sancy. 25 hectares, 16 to 17 m deep, born in a hollow carved by glaciers, where basalt lava flows dammed the Mortes stream. It straddles four communes (Le Mont-Dore, Orcival, Perpezat, Saulzet-le-Froid). A laid-out path goes round the lake: as a loop with the Guéry waterfall, allow 1 hour 30 to 2 hours, and take care on the section that follows the road. Fishing is open in 2026 from 28 March to 31 December, from sunrise to sunset: you need the département or interfederal fishing permit, plus the “Lac de Guéry” option (€7.50 a day in 2026). Trout (stocked throughout the season), pike, carp. As soon as ice forms, even on only part of the lake, fishing is not allowed. Listed site since 1973 (145 ha). The lake is an Espace Naturel Sensible (a protected natural area) of the Puy-de-Dôme: swimming, boating and diving are not allowed. Inn with a terrace overlooking the lake along the D 983.
Why we love it
- Auvergne's highest lake
- The silence broken by the lap of the water against the lava rocks
- The water turning ink-black in overcast weather
- The lake frozen over completely in some winters
Top tip
The Auberge du Lac (terrace overlooking the lake) serves from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 21:00, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (Tuesdays only in July and August). It is open from February to November: in 2026, its annual closure falls on 1 November. The “Lac de Guéry” fishing option (€7.50 a day in 2026) can be bought online, from the authorised sellers in the département or at the Centre montagnard Cap Guéry. Combine with the Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, 5 minutes away. Early in the morning, mist can hang over the water.
Before you go
- Early in the morning, when mist hangs over the water.
- No parking along the lake on the D 983: park at the Col de Guéry car park. In 2026, it is charged from 1 May to 30 September (school holidays, weekends and public holidays, from 09:00 to 18:00); the first half hour is free.
- “Lac de Guéry” fishing option at €7.50 a day in 2026, online or at the Centre montagnard Cap Guéry
- Walk round the lake on a laid-out path, easy for families: take care on the section that runs along the road
- Can be combined with the Roches Tuilière and Sanadoire, 5 min away
- Swimming, boating and diving not allowed: the lake is an Espace Naturel Sensible
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
9°/2°
4 mm · 39 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/2°
dry · 13 km/h
Tue 27
16°/10°
dry · 31 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
- Lac de Guéry, France
63240 Le Mont-Dore
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 813 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You walk as a family: a laid-out path goes all the way round the lake
- You fish: in 2026, the season runs from 28 March to 31 December, never on a frozen lake
Give it a miss if
- You are looking for a developed beach: here, it's fishing and walking
- You want a late lunch: the inn serves from 12:00 to 14:00
Your logbook
Around Lac de Guéry
24 spots in and around Le Mont-Dore, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
Auberge de la Golmotte
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 3.6 km away
Là-Haut
4.8Le Mont-Dore · 4.9 km away
Le Borsalino
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 5.0 km away
Where to stay nearby
Gîte de la Tâche
4.7Le Mont-Dore · 2.1 km away
Hôtel Le Castelet
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 4.5 km away
Les Chalets du Sancy
4.5Chambon-sur-Lac · 7.7 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
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
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
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
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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.
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Hikes around Lac de Guéry
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
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
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