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.

days

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:

Full details of the Chastreix-Sancy bivouac camp

Bivouac on a long-distance trail

Stress-free bivouacking by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Nature Parks

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