ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO

THE LAKES AND VOLCANOS OF THE AUVERGNE 2008

A self-guided walking holiday in rural France

The very heart of the Auvergne is also the very heart of France – the Massif Central, an area of former volcanos, of valleys, of dome shaped hills, of lakes and hidden villages. This is one of the least known parts of the country, a wild region of magnificent panoramas, mountain flowers and hearty food. Although we provide you with everything you need, a certain amount of map-reading ability will be required – it is in the nature of the area. Nonetheless you will be provided with detailed route instructions, a compass and maps, as well as accommodation, all meals and luggage transfers.

PRICE

£455 per person based on two people sharing. Single supplement (unavailable at Chareire which is gite accommodation with up to 4 in a room): £75. Night at Mont Dore at end of holiday: £45 per person.

INCLUDED

6 nights accommodation on full board (breakfast, dinner, picnic lunch) in convivial small country hotels (varying from 2* to simple but welcoming guest house) and one night in a gite with room holding up to 4 people, (although we try to reserve for 2 but no guarantee); luggage transportation, route instructions/maps, compass.

NOT INCLUDED

Drinks, Local tax (the 'taxe de séjour' a small charge that has to be paid on the spot), Personal expenses. Getting to and from Mont Dore. Anything not mentioned in the programme.

Departure dates 2008: Daily mid-May to October according to accommodation availability. Please provide us with second choice departure date if possible (eg preferred date 16th June, but 15th or 17th also possible)

To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrival at you accommodation in Mont Dore for 2 nights.

Day 2: Mont Dore - Guéry Lake and Guéry Pass - Puy Gros - Mont Dore. Guery Lake and Guery Pass with tremendous views over the Tuiliere and Sanadoire Crags, after which you reach Puy Gros, with another remarkable view over la Bourboule, Mont Dore, the Puy de Sancy. the ridges that overlook Mont Dore, including le Puy de la Tache and le Puy de l'Angle. 14 kms. + - 600m. 4 to 5 hours walking. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Le Mont Dore - Chambon.
A waterfall, the Durbise Plateau, Cuzeau Crag, Chaudefour Valley and Chambon Lake. 19 kms. +750m. -900m. 6 hours walking approx. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Chambon - Besse en Chandesse. The Dent du Marais, Murol Chateau, Courbanges, and the medieval town of Besse en Chandesse. 13 kms. +400m. 4 to 5h30 walking. Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Besse en Chandesse - Super Besse
Pavin Lake (which, according to legend, is bottomless...); then the Soucy Hollow with its cave, arising from the collapse of an immense lava flow; the Puy de Montchal at 1407m (panoramic views) and Super Besse, the Auvergne ski station alongside a lake. 15 kms. +450m. 4 hours walking. Dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Super Besse - Chareire or Picherande
Chauvet Lake, which fills a wide exploded crater, and the hamlet of Chareire. Alternative route via the Barthe waterfall.
20 to 22 kms. 6 hours walking approx. Negligible height changes. Alternative via Barthe: 14 kms, 4 hours walking, very slight height changes. Dinner and overnight

Day 7: Chareire/Picherande - Mont Dore
Domais Forest, the Valley of the Salty Fountain, le Puy de Sancy (1885m) and surrounding ridges. Return to Mont Dore via le Puy de Cliergue (1691m) and the Capucin (1468m) - a mountain walk notable for its fabulous views.
18 kms. +900m -900m. 6 hours walking. End of tour. Overnight possible with supplementary payment of £80 to include dinner and breakfast.

 

DIFFICULTY OF WALK

This is a moderate walk for which good average physical fitness is required. No real technical difficulties but this is mountainous terain and you must be able to read maps. 5 to 7 hours walking per day with a maximum height rise of over the course of the day of 900m.

GROUP SIZE

2 or more people

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HIGHLIGHTS

Unspoilt countryside, hearty local food, magnificent scenery

If you have done this walk before we would be delighted to hear of your personal highlights. Mail Us

WEATHER

Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office

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ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATION

Very convivial small country hotels (varying from 2* to simple but welcoming guest houses) and one night in a gite with room for up to 4 people (although we try to reserve for 2 but there is no guarantee of this). Breakfast and dinner at your accommodation. Picnic lunches provided.

GETTING THERE

Train to Mont Dore. Services from Paris with change at Clermont Ferrand.

WHAT TO TAKE:

Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a pullover, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sun glasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes (for transporting your lunches), first-aid kit , camera and film, torch/flashlight.

WHEN TO GO

Daily from mid-May to October, according to accommodation availability. Please provide us with a second choice departure date if possible (eg preferred date 16th June, but 15th or 17th also possible).

INSURANCE

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.

To book, contact worldwalks  at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353

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