The GR®4 trail makes a vast crossing via the Massif Central between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The entire itinerary takes 2 months to complete! A more modest section of the GR®4 trail crosses Sancy in 2 days, between Col de la Croix Morand and Egliseneuve d’Entraigues, in either direction.

2

days

31

km

Medium

level

766 m

elevation gain

From the Sancy ridges to the plateaus of the Artense and Cézallier regions

The GR®4 long-distance hiking trail crosses the Massif du Sancy from North to South, visiting some of the key sites of Sancy such as Col de la Croix Morand, Col de la Croix Saint Robert, the Puy de Sancy summit, the resort of Super Besse and  Chauvet lake.

2 days and 2 different settings for this long-distance hike in Auvergne:

Col de la Croix Morand - Super Besse: 16km, 762m elevation gain
A steep, mountainous section on the rolling terrain of the Sancy summits, from Puy de la Tache to Puy de Sancy, before making the descent to Super Besse.

Super-Besse - Egliseneuve d'Entraigues: 15km, 42m elevation gain
A gentle day’s hiking on mountain plateaus and along the banks of the Hermines and Chauvet lakes.

It’s up to you to decide in which order you’ll climb them...

View of Lake Chauvet and the Monts du Cantal

View of Lake Chauvet and the Monts du Cantal

GR 4 stage at Lac Chauvet

GR 4 stage at Lac Chauvet

View of Lake Chauvet and the Monts du Cantal

View of Lake Chauvet and the Monts du Cantal

Practical tip: for greater peace of mind, take a map and guidebook with you.

The GR®4 “topoguide” is a hiking guide published by the French Hiking Federation. You’ll find it online or at bookshops under the title:

Volcans et Lacs d'Auvergne - GR®441 - GR®4 - GR®30

The ideal map to take on the GR®4 trail is the Chaîne des Puys & Massif du Sancy Top 75 IGN map. This is available in bookshops and at the Sancy Tourist Offices. The Massif du Sancy Chamina map is also a good choice.

Tips

Be smart! On your long-distance hikes, have your bags transported for you.
Porterage services

Map of GR 4 in the Massif du Sancy

Map of GR 4 in the Massif du Sancy

Near the GR®4 trail

Find overnight accommodation within 1km of the GR®4 trail:

List of accommodation near the GR®4 trail

Good hiking shoes

Good hiking shoes

Bivouacking on the GR®4 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.
  • Avoid volcano summits.
  • Do not light fires.
  • Take all rubbish away with you.
Bivouacking in Massif du Sancy

Bivouacking in Massif du Sancy

A variant via Le Mont-Dore

From Col de la Croix Morand or Puy de Sancy, this long-distance trail offers a variant called the GR®4E. This will lead you to the bottom of the Mont-Dore valley where you may want to add a stopover to your itinerary.

But beware, this variant covers 15km and an 857m elevation gain! That’s right, you'll have to walk uphill to get back on the main GR®4 route!

Take the opportunity to stroll in the streets of Le Mont-Dore, the most mountainous of all spa resorts in Auvergne!

Le Mont-Dore resort at the bottom of the valley

Le Mont-Dore resort at the bottom of the valley

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.
  • Keep your dog on lead. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve.
Hiking above Super-Besse and Lac des Hermines

Hiking above Super-Besse and Lac des Hermines