Sancy Loop trail
Crédits photo bandeau Chastreix-Sancy National Nature Reserve
The Sancy loop trail will take you to the very top of the Massif Central!
Leaving from Le Mont-Dore, at the foot of the majestic Puy de Sancy, this trail is the best way to admire the spectacular wilderness of our beautiful volcanic massif of Sancy.
6
days
83
km
Difficult
level
3310 m
elevation gain
All that Sancy has to offer
The Sancy Loop trail is ideal for exploring the iconic sites of the Massif du Sancy!
You’ll love the Dordogne river, the Grande Cascade, the view over the Chaudefour Valley, Chambon lake, Murol Castle, the characterful village of Besse et Saint-Anastaise, Pavin lake, the walk up Puy de Sancy, the highest point in the Massif Central, the view over the Fontaine Salée glacial corrie, and much more. That’s right, prepare to feast your eyes!
Tips
There are 4 versions of this 2 to 6-day hiking itinerary:
- the complete 83km loop with 2 possible starting points: Besse and Le Mont-Dore
- the 57km East loop - Besse
- The 39km West loop - Chastreix
Le Roc de Cuzeau en rando
Balisage de la Boucle Sancy
Le Roc de Cuzeau en rando
Practical tip: for greater peace of mind, take a map with you.
The best maps to use for this itinerary are available online and in bookshops:
- Massif du Sancy Top 25 IGN map
- Massif du Sancy 1:30,000 Chamina map
Along the trail, the Sancy loop is waymarked with green panels indicating “circuit boucle Sancy”.
Download our information sheets for the long loop from Besse or from Le Mont-Dore:
- The long loop from le Mont-Dore (french)
- The long loop from Besse (french)
Tips
For a hike of several days, have your luggage forwarded: Porterage services
Carte de la Boucle du Sancy
Hikers are encouraged to follow a code of good practices:
- Stay on the waymarked paths, close gates behind you when passing through private property, and make a detour around any herds you come across.
- Admire the wild flowers but do not pick them (many are rare and/or protected species).
- Do not frighten grazing animals or wildlife.
- Dispose of rubbish responsibly.
- Dogs are not allowed on this trail.
Herd of Aubrac cows in summer pasture at Capucin
Near the Sancy Loop trail
Find accommodation for the night near the Sancy Loop trail. You'll also find provisions and restaurants at various places within 1.5km of the Sancy Loop trail.
List of Sancy Loop trail partner accommodation providers
Food shops near the Sancy Loop trail
Restaurants near the Sancy Loop trail
Services along the trail
Download the Sancy Loop trail map with practical information on where to find water, toilets, showers, etc.
Sancy Loop trail facilities map (french)
Séjour groupe en gîte d'étape dans le Massif du Sancy
Bivouacking on the Sancy Loop trail
Bivouacking is tolerated on long-distance hiking trails with the prior consent of the property owner. Be aware, however, that bivouacking is not allowed in the Chastreix-Sancy and Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserves.
- Tents should be pitched at dusk and taken down at dawn the next day.
- Avoid volcano summits.
- Do not light fires.
- Take all rubbish away with you.
A bivouac camp is at your disposal in the resort of Chastreix-Sancy:
Bivouac on a long-distance trail
Stress-free bivouacking by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Nature Parks
You also like...
