The Tour des Vaches Rouges trail – Cézallier

Crédits photo bandeau View of the Massif du Sancy from the Cézallier

The Tour des Vaches Rouges long-distance itinerary from Egliseneuve-d’Entraigues crosses a plateau situated more than 1,000 metres above sea level and offering all the authenticity of its wild landscape of lakes, peat bogs and summer pastures grazed by the famous Salers cows.

days

135

Medium

level

3950 m

elevation gain

Head in the clouds on the wild high plateaus

High, rolling plateaus without a soul in sight, uninterrupted views of the Massif du Sancy to the north and the Volcanoes of Cantal to the south, lakes along the way, unspoilt nature galore... That’s what awaits you on your exploration of the Cézallier! Depending on the time of year, you may also see the famous red cows of the Salers breed. They feature on signs for the GR trail, as well as in the pastures.

In Sancy, the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail in the Cézallier crosses the villages of Egliseneuve d’Entraigues, Espinchal, La Godivelle and Montgreleix before heading into the Cantal part of the Cézallier region.

Tips

There are 3 options for this 5 to 8-day hiking route:

the full 135km loop
the 78.5km West loop, mostly in the Sancy area
the 84km East loop, in the French department of Cantal

Hiking on the GRP® des Vaches Rouges

GRP® Tour des Vaches Rouges signposting in the Cézallier

Hiking on the GRP® des Vaches Rouges

Allow 5 days to complete the West loop from Egliseneuve d’Entraigues and also for the East loop. If you’re really up for a hiking challenge, the complete itinerary will take you 8 days.

Your best companion for this long-distance hike is the Monts du Cézallier / PNR des Volcans d’Auvergne Top 25 IGN map, available online and in bookshops.

Check out the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail

Tips

On your long-distance hikes, have your bags transported for you:
Porterage

Map of Tour des Vaches Rouges trail, Cézallier

Accomodations near the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail

Find accommodation for the night near the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail. In Sancy you'll also find provisions and restaurants at various places within 1.5km of the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail in the Cézallier.

List of accommodation near the Tour des Vaches Rouges trail

Adopt a code of good practices:

Stay on the waymarked trails. 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 prohibited on this itinerary that crosses a number of summer pastures.

Lake d'En-Bas in La Godivelle

Bivouacking on the Tour des Vaches Rouges 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 Sagnes de la Godivelle National Nature Reserve.

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.

Bivouac on a long-distance trail

"The Bivouac sans couac" by the Regional Nature Parks of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

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Preparing ahead

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