Lac Pavin is a distinctive region in the Auvergne Volcanoes of central France, characterized by its unique geological origins as a maar, a crater lake formed by volcanic activity. The area features a perfectly circular lake, surrounded by dense forests of spruce, pine, and beech trees, creating a serene environment. This landscape provides varied terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more. The region's volcanic history and sylvan setting offer a unique backdrop for…
143
Routes
4.6
(1098)
Average rating
13077
People visited

4.7
(277)
2,007
hikers
10.8km
04:03
640m
630m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(142)
2,458
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(67)
564
hikers
11.8km
04:24
630m
630m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(55)
487
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.4
(18)
132
riders
33.7km
02:54
630m
630m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
163
riders
19.8km
02:22
790m
790m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(10)
55
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(11)
48
riders
37.0km
03:23
770m
770m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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5.0
(1)
125
runners
3.31km
00:25
60m
60m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

79
runners
6.48km
00:43
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

68
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

65
runners
17.7km
02:16
500m
500m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
87
riders
61.1km
03:02
960m
960m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
63
riders
52.4km
03:02
1,180m
1,170m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.7
(3)
29
riders
45.5km
02:24
830m
830m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

24
riders
48.6km
02:21
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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2.0
(1)
73
riders
32.9km
02:48
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

46
riders
21.6km
02:02
370m
370m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

38
riders
10.4km
00:59
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
28
riders
48.7km
04:19
980m
980m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(4)
15
hikers
8.13km
03:02
510m
510m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
9
hikers
5.08km
02:03
400m
400m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
7
hikers
11.2km
04:25
580m
580m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
7
hikers
5.86km
02:21
460m
460m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
7
riders
30.0km
02:28
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
7
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
riders
23.2km
01:46
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
83.8km
06:27
1,810m
1,810m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Lac Pavin is a maar, a crater lake formed by volcanic activity in the Auvergne Volcanoes of central France. It is known for its distinctive, almost perfectly circular shape and deep waters. The lake is surrounded by dense forests, creating a serene natural environment.
The Lac Pavin region offers various outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The area provides varied terrain suitable for different interests and skill levels. More than 116,000 visitors have explored routes in this region.
Yes, a well-maintained path circles Lac Pavin, offering a popular route for hikers and joggers. The surrounding forests also provide additional trails for various experience levels. Guides like Hiking around Lac Pavin provide detailed information.
The path circling Lac Pavin is approximately 1.5 to 2 miles (2.5 to 3 km) long. This route offers views of the lake and its surrounding landscape. It is suitable for quiet exploration and observing local flora and fauna.
The circular path around Lac Pavin is generally considered easy and suitable for families. For additional options, the guide Easy hikes around Lac Pavin highlights accessible routes. These trails provide opportunities for peaceful strolls through the sylvan setting.
Information regarding specific dog restrictions on trails around Lac Pavin is not provided. Visitors should check local signage or contact the regional tourism office for current regulations on pets.
The region around Lac Pavin is well-suited for cycling, featuring numerous agricultural tracks and varied terrain. Over 140 touring cycling routes are available, ranging from easy loops to challenging climbs. The guide Road Cycling Routes around Lac Pavin offers more details.
Mountain biking is a popular activity in the Lac Pavin area, with routes often passing through volcanic landscapes and dense forests. Opportunities for downhill biking are available at nearby Super Besse. The guide MTB Trails around Lac Pavin provides specific route information.
Yes, parking is available at Lac Pavin. Visitors can typically find designated parking areas near the lake, often in proximity to facilities like the Restaurant du Lac Pavin. It is advisable to arrive early during peak times.
Lac Pavin is the deepest lake in Auvergne, with a maximum depth of 302 feet (92 meters). Its unique depth contributes to its meromictic nature, where water layers do not mix. The deeper waters remain anoxic and confined.
Lac Pavin is a maar, a crater lake formed approximately 6,900 years ago by a violent volcanic eruption. Its distinctive, almost perfectly circular shape and meromictic nature, where water layers do not mix, are key geological features. The deeper waters contain gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
Komoot offers several guides for the Lac Pavin region, including Hiking around Lac Pavin, Easy hikes around Lac Pavin, and Road Cycling Routes around Lac Pavin. Other guides cover jogging, mountain biking, gravel biking, and waterfall hikes.
Routes in the Lac Pavin region have received an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 stars from the komoot community. More than 116,000 visitors have explored and shared their experiences in the area. This high rating reflects the quality of outdoor activities available.
For general tourism information about the wider Auvergne Sancy region, which includes Lac Pavin, visitors can contact the Auvergne Sancy tourist office. Their phone number is +33473795284. The official website for the region is sancy.com.

