High Point Holidays Walking Holidays Brochure 2016 High Point Holidays Walking Holidays Brochure 2017 | Page 49

AMAZING AUVERGNE - Volcanoes, Lakes & Historic Villages

T

Guided & Independent

his walking holiday, available as both a guided & independent break, explores the Northern Auvergne which is
home to some of the finest landscapes in France. They make
for interesting and varied walking with lush green valleys
sheltering beneath upland ridges and peaks, affording breathtaking views in all directions. The Auvergne is also home to a
number of wonderful medieval churches and basilicas. There
are also many charming historic villages such as Orcival and
Besse, set within sumptuous natural scenery protected by a
regional natural park. Your walking holiday will explore many
of the features that make up this beautiful landscape including
volcanic and glacial lakes, volcanic domes, rocky cliffs, secluded valleys and dramatic waterfalls. In the north, the Chaine
des Puys are a range of 80 geologically recent volcanic domes
and cones which stretch to the horizon.

Walks: day-by-day
Day 1: Arrival – Welcome at Lyon or at your guest house.
Day 2: Stroll among the volcanoes
This circular walk ascends the Puy Pariou in the Puy de Dome area; a remarkable landscape, unique in Europe. With some volcanoes as young as 7000 years old, this region of
perfectly preserved volcanic cones lets you walk back in time to an era when lava & hot
ash filled the skies. Then ascend Puy de Dome, the highest and most impressive of the
young volcanoes at 1465m, by train. Site of 1st century Roman Temple. 12km, +330m

Day 3: Orcival & glaciated valleys
Visit the pretty historic village of Orcival nestled in a secluded valley and its 12th century
basilica. This walk also passes chateaux, chapels & historic villages. After climbing away
from the historic village of Rochefort Montagne, the trail takes you along a delightful
ridge to the edge of a beautiful glaciated valley with great views, before descending to
Orcival via a pilgrims path with the Stations of the Cross. 18km, +480m

♦ Varied and interesting walking through
spectacular volcanic landscapes

♦ A region of perfectly preserved volcanic
domes easily accessible on foot

♦ Dramatic waterfalls, beautiful lakes and wild
mountain scenery

Day 4: Descent from Puy de Sancy

♦ Historic villages built from volcanic stone

You’ll take the cable car to the top of the Puy de Sancy, a spectacular summit with
amazing views, which is the highest in the whole of the Massif Central, reaching 1885m
(6184ft). After taking in the views you’ll follow the edge of the glacial u-shaped valley
revealing several summits, dramatic waterfalls and wonderful views. 13km, +500m

♦ Welcoming guest houses in historic buildings

with great ecclesiastical monuments

Day 5: La Banne d’Ordanche
Near