In the centre of France and in the heart of the Auvergne, the Parc des Volcans offers a change of scenery, peace and quiet and outdoor activities. The aptly named Les Volcans campsite welcomes you to Aydat (Puy-de-Dôme, 63) in a green setting at the start of the hiking trails:
A unique setting, classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site
Made up of 80 volcanoes over a length of only 32 km, the puys chain was classified in 2018 as a Unesco World Heritage Site. The craters in the shape of domes, cones or narses have shaped a unique landscape in the world. These young volcanoes allow young and old alike to project themselves a few years back in time when the magma rose to the surface and the lava flowed freely… and perhaps wonder when they will resume their activity, because the volcanoes of the Auvergne are not extinct but only dormant!
Les Volcans campsite is located at the foot of the Combegrasse Puy crater, whose summit can be reached in 25 minutes on foot to discover an exceptional panorama of the Puy chain to the north and the Sancy massif to the southwest. A must for your visit!
A paradise for hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and cyclists
The hilly terrain of the puys chain and the Sancy massif (altitude 1886m) offers an ideal playground for sportsmen and nature lovers. Three long-distance footpaths criss-cross the Parc des Volcans alongside dozens of other marked trails. The GR 4 and 441 even run alongside the Les Volcans campsite. You will be surprised to see that every hike offers exceptional views of the volcanoes, a lake or the Sancy massif.
Mountain bikers will enjoy the many marked routes and other circuits available online. You can choose between rolling paths or more technical tracks in the forest, a circuit with a high gradient or a more accessible loop. Mountain bikes can be hired on site, with or without electric assistance.
The cyclists will enjoy themselves on well-known roads but without major difficulties with beautiful passes to climb: Croix Morand, Croix St-Robert, Guéry… The calves will heat up because the flat portions are rare and the difference in altitude climbs quickly!
You will find all the information you need for these walking and cycling tours at the reception of Les Volcans campsite (and on its blog). Stéphanie and Florian will guide you towards the tours that best suit your needs!
Waterfalls, lakes, caves, springs… the other nuggets from Auvergne!
The volcanoes are also home to countless springs. Some of them are still in a wild state, while others have given rise to magnificent thermal complexes such as in Mont Dore, La Bourboule, Royat…
Stéphanie and Florian will put you on the trail of these hidden and still preserved nuggets!
Learning on holiday with Vulcania and Lemptégy
Why not take advantage of your stay in the volcanoes to find out more about what’s going on under your feet? There are two possibilities.
The famous Vulcania park takes you on a day of alternating fiction and reality. Between dynamic cinemas, exhibitions, experiments and roller coasters, you will explore the world of volcanoes, earthquakes and the universe. Less well known and yet just as captivating, the Lemptégy volcano is well worth a visit. You will descend on foot or by electric train into the heart of an ancient volcano accompanied by a guide who will show you how these Auvergne giants were formed. Two attractions will provide a good dose of adrenaline for the most daring!
Dive into the history of the battle of Gergovia and medieval castles
The geographical situation of the Auvergne has often placed it at the crossroads of history. Your stay in the Arvernes region may lead you to follow in the footsteps of Vercingetorix and Julius Caesar at the museum of the famous battle of Gergovia, on the very spot where the Arvernes resisted the Romans. Several other archaeological sites will perhaps pique your curiosity, including the unmissable oppidum of Corent.
The region is full of other vestiges of our past. You will undoubtedly visit the castle of Murol and its re-enactment of knights’ battles, or the surprising troglodyte fortress of Jonas. You can also stroll through the narrow streets of the medieval villages of Saint-Saturnin or Besse, thus going back in time a few centuries.
So, are you ready for the plunge? La Via Natura campsite : Camping Les volcans, in Aydat (63)