Puy de Dôme Hike

By Vicky · Published Sep. 23rd, 2025

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Take a lovely hike up Puy de Dôme on this trail, one of the most popular and scenic walks in the volcanoes region.

Location

This walk up Puy de Dôme starts from the Parking at Col de Ceyssat. It’s about 20 minutes drive west of Clermont-Ferrand. This free car park is medium-sized and fills up quickly on sunny summer days. There are not many alternative spaces nearby so it’s best to arrive early.

Tips

There are a couple of cafes and a posher restaurant at the top, or there’s a nice restaurant by the car park where you start.
The ascent is forested, but the top and first part of the descent have no shade, so remember sunscreen and a sunhat.
For another nearby hike, walk along a Volcanic Ridge, or for more hikes and guides, check out our France Walking and Hiking page.

Puy de Dôme Hiking Route

From the car park, head along the dirt path next to the public toilets. In a short distance, at the track, head right. This track zigzags all the way up Puy de Dôme. At one point, you cross the tourist railway track (Panoramiques des Dômes) that circles up to the top, transporting those who don’t want to walk.

After crossing the track, you’ll reach several lovely viewpoints over the surrounding volcanic countryside. Sooner than you think, the track leaves the woodland and enters the open land near the top of the extinct volcano.

At the Top of Puy de Dôme

The trail reaches the very top by a viewpoint and a couple of restaurants and cafes. There’s also a small exhibition on the ground floor (French but with photos) on the local geology.

The route down leaves from near here, at the top of the train track, but first, take a stroll around the top. Heading clockwise, you’ll reach a couple of viewpoints at local high points. As you make your way over to the other side, you will see really great views of the other nearby ancient volcanoes, with typical craters at the top.

Temple of Mercury at the top of At the Top of Puy de Dôme on a hike in France

At the far side, near the monitoring station, you can spend a while watching parachutists jump off and soar into the sky. Continuing around the top of Puy de Dôme, don’t miss the Museum of the Temple of Mercury. This is in a large wooden building on your right. It’s free to get in and it explains the history of the ruined temple below, including a short video. You could spend 30 minutes in here if you have the time and inclination.

When you’re ready, walk down by the temple itself. There have been some restorations in recent times, which is why the temple looks brand new and slightly strange in places. But originally, it was built in the 2nd century AD. Continue descending to the road next to the train station. Turn left to begin the descent.

Walking down Puy de Dôme

path, mountain and trees on a walk in France

Walk along the road for just over 500 metres, then take the signed hiking trail off to the right. There are now a lot of steps. They seem to go on a long time, but the views meanwhile are really great. The steps end, and you turn left to continue along the large path. At the next junction, turn left along the hiking trail.

Continue for almost 500 metres to another path junction. Turn right here to descend towards the forest. There’s another stretch of downhill before you reach a T-junction with a path contouring through the forest. Turn left here. It’s almost 2 km along this fairly flat path back to the car park at Col de Ceyssat. There aren’t many route choices, so the route is fairly easy.

You’ll soon be back at the car park and the end of the Puy de Dôme Hike. Consider stopping at Auberge des Gros Manaux, the good adjacent restaurant, or consider taking a swim in a nearby lake such as Lac d’Aydat. For more hikes and guides, check out our France Walking and Hiking page.