The Châteauneuf caves

Saint-Nectaire

Pédestre

Distance : 6.5 km

Durée : 2h

Difficulté : Modéré

Tracé : Boucle

Dénivelé : 260 m

Balisage : Blue

Les grottes de Châteauneuf_Saint-Nectaire

Ancient troglodytic dwellings crown the puy de Châteauneuf. These caves were carved out of the volcanic tuff by human hands. At the summit, the foundations of an ancient castle are visible. The view takes in the whole valley.

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In Saint-Nectaire. Parking lot opposite the entrance to the Cornadore caves. The starting sign is on the D996, next to the footbridge.

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Étape 1 : From the parking lot, head towards the church of Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut. After 50 m, take the stairs, then a street to the right, until you reach the church square (Romanesque church). Go down towards the town hall and take the first street on the left, which leads to the Châteauneuf caves. At the fork in the road, turn right up the hill, then right around a pine forest. Climb up to a clearing.

Étape 2 : Continue (towards Lac Chambon and Murol), leaving the path on the right (view of Murol castle and the Sancy massif). Pass the stepladder to enter the pastures and climb up to the cross.

Étape 3 : After the second stepladder, cross the meadow to the left. Continue along the track and, at the T-junction, turn right onto a partly tarmac road as far as a bend, from where two paths lead off (off the road to the left: menhir and dolmen).

Étape 4 : Take the right-hand path and climb to the top of the puy de Châteauneuf. Climb back down the wooden steps (near the troglodyte house), (view of Saint-Nectaire and the Châteauneuf caves). At the crossroads, turn left and take the winding path back to the clearing (point 1). Return to the church square and the starting point along the same route.

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Étape 1

From the parking lot, head towards the church of Saint-Nectaire-le-Haut. After 50 m, take the stairs, then a street to the right, until you reach the church square (Romanesque church). Go down towards the town hall and take the first street on the left, which leads to the Châteauneuf caves. At the fork in the road, turn right up the hill, then right around a pine forest. Climb up to a clearing.

Étape 2

Continue (towards Lac Chambon and Murol), leaving the path on the right (view of Murol castle and the Sancy massif). Pass the stepladder to enter the pastures and climb up to the cross.

Étape 3

After the second stepladder, cross the meadow to the left. Continue along the track and, at the T-junction, turn right onto a partly tarmac road as far as a bend, from where two paths lead off (off the road to the left: menhir and dolmen).

Étape 4

Take the right-hand path and climb to the top of the puy de Châteauneuf. Climb back down the wooden steps (near the troglodyte house), (view of Saint-Nectaire and the Châteauneuf caves). At the crossroads, turn left and take the winding path back to the clearing (point 1). Return to the church square and the starting point along the same route.

Opening

From 01/01 to 31/12 daily.

Subject to favorable weather.

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Pets welcome

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In the country, Mountain view, Troglodyte site, Presence of livestock and guard dogs

For your own safety, always take a bottle of water, a hat, warm clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
Depending on weather conditions, certain itineraries are not recommended in bad weather (fog) or are not practicable, or even forbidden, during the winter season.
Some sites are fragile, so stay on the marked trails. Avoid picking wild flowers and disturbing wildlife. Pick up your garbage.
Animals are not allowed on some routes.

Accepted animals

Dogs must be kept on a leash due to the presence of herds.

Last update 20 May 2026