Cantal, a region in the heart of France's Auvergne, is defined by its ancient volcanic past, creating a landscape of steep ridges, verdant valleys, and high-altitude plateaus. The remnants of Europe's largest stratovolcano dominate the area, offering diverse terrain for outdoor pursuits. This natural heritage provides a unique setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and more. Glacial valleys and gorges, carved by rivers like the Jordanne and Truyère, further characterize the department's varied topography.
234
Routes
4.5
(1556)
Average rating
16986
People visited

4.8
(67)
500
hikers
9.46km
03:29
500m
490m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.7
(55)
446
hikers
15.0km
05:13
610m
610m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.6
(69)
483
hikers
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.6
(41)
397
hikers
12.3km
04:13
650m
650m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.8
(12)
482
riders
72.7km
04:16
1,820m
1,820m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(3)
60
riders
75.0km
03:35
880m
880m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(1)
27
riders
143km
07:54
3,060m
3,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
49
riders
60.7km
02:58
920m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.3
(9)
65
riders
31.3km
02:08
480m
480m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(10)
56
riders
50.8km
03:43
1,050m
1,040m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
38
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
19
riders
38.8km
02:29
440m
440m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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86
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

57
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

3.0
(1)
51
runners
8.41km
01:16
420m
420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

47
runners
9.53km
01:33
500m
500m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.0
(3)
14
riders
17.9km
01:25
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(4)
124
riders
61.3km
06:14
1,830m
1,830m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(4)
49
riders
77.9km
06:18
1,330m
1,330m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(10)
32
riders
36.3km
03:05
590m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
23
riders
68.3km
05:14
1,500m
1,500m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
12
riders
61.2km
04:12
1,140m
1,140m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
58.4km
04:27
1,280m
1,280m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
63.3km
05:09
1,270m
1,270m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
4
hikers
20.8km
07:42
1,030m
1,030m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
11.5km
04:43
690m
690m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
6.55km
02:35
370m
370m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(2)
3
hikers
4.03km
01:18
170m
180m
Moderate mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Cantal offers a wide range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Jogging, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features over 5,500 routes across these sports. More information can be found in guides like Hiking in Cantal and Road Cycling Routes in Cantal.
Cantal is dominated by the remnants of Europe's largest stratovolcano, forming the Cantal Volcanic Massif. Key features include iconic peaks like Puy Mary and Plomb du Cantal, deep glacial valleys, and gorges carved by rivers such as the Jordanne and Truyère. The region is also part of the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne.
Puy Mary and Plomb du Cantal are among the most popular hiking destinations in Cantal. Puy Mary, a "Grand Site de France," offers panoramic views from its 5,850-foot (1,783-meter) summit. Plomb du Cantal is the highest point of the massif at 6,086 feet (1,855 meters).
Cantal offers a variety of hiking trails suitable for different skill levels, including options for beginners. Easy walks are available throughout the region. For specific routes, consult the Easy hikes in Cantal guide.
Yes, Cantal provides family-friendly hiking options. These trails are generally less demanding and suitable for children. The Family-friendly hikes in Cantal guide lists suitable routes.
Many trails in Cantal are dog-friendly, allowing hikers to explore with their pets. Specific regulations may apply in certain areas, particularly within protected natural parks. Information on suitable routes can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes in Cantal guide.
Cantal offers diverse cycling experiences, including road cycling and touring cycling. Routes range from challenging climbs around Puy Mary to more leisurely rides through plateaus and valleys. Guides such as Road Cycling Routes in Cantal and Cycling in Cantal provide detailed information.
The GR400 is a legendary long-distance hiking trail in Cantal that traverses the volcanic ridges of the Cantal massif. It invites hikers to discover grandiose panoramas and the region's unique geological formations. The trail offers a demanding trek across the ancient volcano.
Yes, Cantal features several hiking routes that lead to impressive waterfalls. These trails often wind through picturesque valleys and forests. The Waterfall hikes in Cantal guide provides specific routes.
Cantal is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 259,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 stars from over 27,000 ratings. There are over 5,500 routes available across various sports.
Official tourism information for Cantal can be found on the Cantal.fr website. For direct contact, Cantal Destination can be reached by phone at 04 71 63 85 00. The Tourist Office of Pays d'Aurillac is another resource, reachable at 04 71 48 46 58.
Cantal offers traffic-free cycling routes suitable for both road and touring cyclists. These routes provide a safer and more serene cycling experience away from vehicle traffic. Guides like Traffic-free bike rides in Cantal highlight these options.

