Wooden signposts on the volcanoes of Auvergne, with lush green mountains in the background.
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A hike on the volcanoes of Auvergne, with hikers on a lush green path beneath a blue sky.
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A majestic waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for an adventure in the great outdoors.
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A winding path winds its way through a vast, green landscape beneath a blue sky dotted with clouds.
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A lush green footpath among the volcanoes of Auvergne, offering splendid panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
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A group of walkers gathered round a tent, enjoying the lush countryside and the campsite.
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A picturesque alleyway lined with stone houses, dotted with colourful flowers and exuding a charming atmosphere.
1 / 0
Vast, lush green mountains beneath a blue sky, inviting you to set off on adventures and go hiking.
1 / 0
A panoramic view of the lush green hills of Auvergne beneath a blue sky dotted with clouds.
1 / 0
A winding path through lush green meadows, with mountains in the background beneath a bright sky.
1 / 0
A hiker admires a peaceful lake, surrounded by greenery and mountains, at sunset.
1 / 0
The lush landscape of the volcanoes of Auvergne, with winding valleys and majestic peaks beneath a bright sky.
1 / 0
A group of walkers gathered round a fire, camping at dusk in Auvergne.
1 / 0
Golden, rolling landscapes beneath a cloudy sky, inviting you to set off on an adventure among the volcanoes of Auvergne.
1 / 0
The majestic landscape of the volcanoes of Auvergne, a walk along lush green paths at sunset.
1 / 0
A hike on the volcanoes of Auvergne: enchanting landscapes, blue skies and majestic rocks.
1 / 0
A picturesque walk in Auvergne, amidst green hills and a clear blue sky.
1 / 0
A spectacular hike along the lush green volcanic ridges of Auvergne, under a brilliant blue sky.
1 / 0
Wooden signposts on the volcanoes of Auvergne, with lush green mountains in the background.
A hike on the volcanoes of Auvergne, with hikers on a lush green path beneath a blue sky.
A majestic waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for an adventure in the great outdoors.
A winding path winds its way through a vast, green landscape beneath a blue sky dotted with clouds.
A lush green footpath among the volcanoes of Auvergne, offering splendid panoramic views of the surrounding hills.
A group of walkers gathered round a tent, enjoying the lush countryside and the campsite.
A picturesque alleyway lined with stone houses, dotted with colourful flowers and exuding a charming atmosphere.
Vast, lush green mountains beneath a blue sky, inviting you to set off on adventures and go hiking.
A panoramic view of the lush green hills of Auvergne beneath a blue sky dotted with clouds.
A winding path through lush green meadows, with mountains in the background beneath a bright sky.
A hiker admires a peaceful lake, surrounded by greenery and mountains, at sunset.
The lush landscape of the volcanoes of Auvergne, with winding valleys and majestic peaks beneath a bright sky.
A group of walkers gathered round a fire, camping at dusk in Auvergne.
Golden, rolling landscapes beneath a cloudy sky, inviting you to set off on an adventure among the volcanoes of Auvergne.
The majestic landscape of the volcanoes of Auvergne, a walk along lush green paths at sunset.
A hike on the volcanoes of Auvergne: enchanting landscapes, blue skies and majestic rocks.
A picturesque walk in Auvergne, amidst green hills and a clear blue sky.
A spectacular hike along the lush green volcanic ridges of Auvergne, under a brilliant blue sky.
From € 405 /pers.
Hiking

Bivouac trek across the volcanoes of Auvergne

May to October
3 days| 2 nights
Level 3
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Climb the Puy des Crebasses (1,762 m) and admire the volcanic dykes exposed in the glacial valley of Chaudefour.
Cross the Sancy Massif over 3 days, from Mont-Dore to Lac Pavin, via volcanic ridges, glacial valleys and high plateaux.
Climb to Puy de Sancy (1,885 m), the highest point in the Massif Central.
Bivouac in a tepee in the heart of the Massif, with an Auvergne-style meal by the fire.

Itinerary

  1. DAY1/ 3
    • Accommodation - BivouacAccommodation·Bivouac
    • D- - 690D-·690m
    • D+ - 770D+·770m
    • Distance - 14Distance·14km
    We meet at 10.30 am at Clermont-Ferrand station, or directly at 11.30 am in Mont-Dore. After a welcome and briefing, we start the walk, followed by an Auvergne picnic.

    From Mont-Dore, a spa in the heart of a glacial valley, the trail climbs up to the Grande Cascade and then reaches the Durbise plateau, offering fine views of the Sancy massif. The day continues with a climb to the Roc de Cuzeau and then a passage over the ridges to the Puy des Crebasses (1,762m).

    We then descend into the wilder Chaudefour valley before reaching Chambon-des-Neiges and then the banks of Lac Chambon.

    Settle into your bivouac, then enjoy a convivial evening over a local aperitif, an Auvergne-style meal and a campfire.

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Damien - Mountain leader (AMM)

Damien

Mountain leader (AMM)
FrenchFrench

I was born and grew up on the Limagne plain, with the Chaîne des Puys as my playground from an early age. What was once a passion has become my job: guiding and sharing the treasures of the Auvergne. I imagine experiences where sport, nature and conviviality meet... always with good food on the menu!

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: Throughout your stay, you'll be accompanied by an experienced mountain guide who knows the terrain inside out.
Accommodation: You'll sleep in a 10-person tipi provided by us, giving you the chance to discover the pleasures of a comfortable overnight bivouac!
Meals: All meals are included, from the picnic on the first day to the picnic on the last day, giving you the chance to sample some of the region's specialities!

Not included

Transport to and from the meeting point.
Your own mattress and sleeping bag for comfortable nights in the tipi.
Everything not mentioned in the "included" section.

What level should you expect

Level 3
You should be at least 18 years old to participate
WHO IS THIS FOR?
You're a regular hiker looking to cross the Sancy massif between volcanic lakes and a bivouac by the fire.

You're at the right level if:
  • You hike 4 to 7h per day, over 13 to 22km, with 780 to 870m of ascent depending on the stage.
  • You spend the 2 nights in a bivouac, in a tipi tent (shower available on day 2).
  • You carry your pack with your personal gear and a share of the group equipment (max 10kg).
  • You're comfortable on mountain trails and exposed ridges, with a short vertiginous section on the Puy de Sancy.

Getting there

Start · 10h30

Clermont-Ferrand station

End · 16h30

Clermont-Ferrand station

Transport

By train

By train

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

  • Departure station > Clermont-Ferrand

Your guide will pick you up at Clermont-Ferrand station around 10.30am by minibus and take you to the exact meeting point.

By car

By car

Prefer the freedom of a road trip?

You can drive straight to the village of Mont-Dore, arriving by 11.30am. A car park is available in the village where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of your stay.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
  • If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
  • If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.
Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.
3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 83 reviews in this category
Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci
Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !
Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.
Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.
Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

How are your meals going?

All meals are included, from the picnic on the first day to the picnic on the last day. Throughout the expedition, you'll have the opportunity to taste the specialities of the region, specifically chosen by your guide. You'll eat hot, high-quality meals by the fire every evening.

Do we all sleep together in the same tent?

For this expedition, we suggest you sleep in a 10-person tipi tent. Depending on the composition of the group, we can take a second tipi tent to make a women's tent and a men's tent.

Who is this tour for?

This hike is aimed at people who are already used to walking in the mountains or going on long outings on foot. The stages are fairly long, with some changes in altitude, but are accessible to anyone in good physical condition who is motivated. The atmosphere is friendly and the pace is adapted to the group, so you can make the most of the landscapes of the Sancy massif.

What landscapes will we discover?

The route crosses the emblematic landscapes of the Sancy massif: glacial valleys, volcanic ridges, pine forests, volcanic lakes and picturesque villages. There are constant panoramic views of the Auvergne mountains, particularly from the Puy des Crebasses and the summit of the Puy de Sancy.

Where do we sleep during our stay?

Overnight stays are in a bivouac in a 10-person tipi in natural surroundings around Lac Chambon and Lac Pavin. The pitches are chosen for their setting and tranquillity. The second night's bivouac has access to a nearby shower, so you can enjoy comfort after two days of effort. Evenings are spent in a convivial atmosphere around the fire, with a hot meal and local specialities, an ideal time to share the impressions of the day.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.


Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.


They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.


If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).


In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

  • 30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
  • 35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
  • 10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
  • 24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
  • 1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

Oops! All dates are fully booked!

From
405 €
per person

No worries! Leave us your email and, if you like, the period you’d want to travel: we’ll make sure to contact you first when new dates become available.

Which period would suit you? (optional)

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure
Instalment facility available