The best walks and hikes around Montgreleix

Montgreleix offers a wide variety of hiking trails, with over 50 routes available. These cater to different fitness levels, including 19 easy routes, 31 moderate paths, and 8 more challenging trails for experienced hikers.

Yes, the region is known for its beautiful waterfalls. You can explore the magnificent Saillant Waterfall, a 20-meter cascade where the Bonjon stream flows over basaltic organs. Other notable waterfalls include Cascade des Veyrines, Entraigues Waterfall, and Bois de Chaux Waterfall.

Absolutely. The area features several picturesque lakes, many of which are integrated into hiking routes. A prominent example is Lac Chauvet, a perfectly circular maar of volcanic origin. Other beautiful lakes in the vicinity include Lake Montcineyre and Lac des Estives.

Many of the trails around Montgreleix are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the easy Tour des Vaches Rouges: Saillant Loop is a popular circular option. Another moderate choice is the Saillant Waterfall – View of Le Fayet loop from Le Godde.

Yes, Montgreleix offers several easy and family-friendly hiking options. These routes often traverse expansive meadows and offer gentle ascents. An example is the Tour des Vaches Rouges: Saillant Loop, which is 4.8 km long and takes about 1 hour 22 minutes, making it suitable for families.

The Cézallier region around Montgreleix is renowned for its panoramic views. Many trails offer exceptional vistas of the Sancy and Cantal uplands. The Colline de Natzy, for instance, provides a 360-degree panorama of the Artense plateau, the Sancy Massif, the Cantal mountains, and the lake and village of La Tour d'Auvergne.

Yes, Montgreleix serves as a stopover village on the "Tour des Vaches Rouges" hiking trail, also known as the Tour du Cézallier. This is a multi-day trek that can be completed in 5 or 8 days, offering a deeper immersion into the region's landscapes.

The trails in Montgreleix are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 200 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the diverse landscapes, from vast summer pastures to volcanic features, and the numerous picturesque waterfalls and lakes that can be discovered along the routes.

Yes, the area around Montgreleix is marked by its volcanic past. You can encounter features like Lac Chauvet, a perfectly circular maar (lake of volcanic origin), and explore landscapes shaped by ancient volcanic activity, especially within the regional natural park of the Auvergne Volcanoes.

Beyond the trails, you can explore charming, isolated villages like La Godivelle, known for its sublime landscapes. The region also features unique heritage sites, such as ancient "burons" (stone cabins used by farmers) and the orthodox monastery of the Mother of God Znaménié in La Traverse, with its distinctive copper roofs.

For experienced hikers seeking a challenge, Montgreleix offers several difficult routes. One such option is the View of Le Fayet – Saillant Waterfall loop from Montgreleix, which spans 26.8 km with significant elevation gain, typically taking over 7 hours to complete.

In Montgreleix and the surrounding rural areas, parking is generally available near trailheads and village centers, making it convenient to access the hiking routes. Specific parking details can often be found on individual route descriptions.