Our take
One of the best-defined craters in the Chaîne des Puys, a 1 hour 30 walk there and back. Ideal for understanding how a Strombolian volcano forms, without climbing the Puy de Dôme.
One of the best-defined craters in the Chaîne des Puys: 1 hour 30 there and back from the Pariou car park, with views of the neighbouring puys from the crater rim.
A Strombolian volcano of the Chaîne des Puys at 1,146 m altitude, in the commune of Orcines. A remarkably regular circular crater, one of the best-defined in the chain. Access from the Goules car park (the same one as for the Pariou) on a path waymarked in blue: 4.5 km there and back, 1 hour 30, 180 m of elevation gain. Summit on the rim of the crater, with views of the neighbouring puys (Pariou, Puy de Dôme, Grand Sarcoui). UNESCO site since 2018 (Chaîne des Puys-Limagne Fault). Path accessible all year, except under snow.
Why we love it
- The very regular crater you discover from its rim
- The zigzag climb that comes out on the crater rim, out in the wind
- The neighbouring puys lined up as far as the eye can see from the edge of the cone
Top tip
Free Pariou car park (D941); combine it with the Puy de Pariou for the day. Sunset at the summit: slip a head torch into your bag for the way back.
Before you go
- At sunset, with a head torch in your pocket for the way back.
- Free Pariou car park, on the D941.
- Walking shoes are essential; a head torch if you are aiming for the sunset.
- Very busy on fine mornings in July and August.
- Walking shoes are essential: the path gets slippery as soon as it has rained
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
10°/4°
2 mm · 40 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/3°
dry · 22 km/h
Tue 27
17°/10°
0 mm · 26 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
- Puy des Goules, 63870 Orcines, France
63870 Orcines
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 183 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want a well-defined crater in 1 hour 30 there and back
- You prefer real-life geology lessons
- You happily link it with the neighbouring Pariou
Give it a miss if
- You are aiming for a fine-weather morning in July and August: big crowds
- You are setting off in smooth-soled trainers: the path is slippery after rain
Your logbook
Around Puy des Goules
11 spots in and around Orcines, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€Auberge Fontaine du Berger
4.3Orcines · 1.4 km away
€€€€Restaurant Le Pré
4.7Durtol · 6.1 km away
La Flèche d'Argent
4.7Royat · 7.6 km away
Where to stay nearby
Dôme à Bulles - Cabanes & Spa
5.0Orcines · 5.0 km away
L'Otigeon
5.0Orcines · 5.4 km away
€€€La Belle Meunière
4.5Royat · 7.5 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
On foot
On footPuy de Jumes, Puy de la Coquille and Puy des Gouttes
Start: Parking de la D576 en direction de Beauregard
- 14.6 km
- +487 m
- 4 h
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Hikes around Puy des Goules
On footOn footPuy de Jumes, Puy de la Coquille and Puy des Gouttes
Start: Parking de la D576 en direction de Beauregard
- 14.6 km
- +487 m
- 4 h
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