A word of advice: avoid the car park in the centre of the resort as you have to pay from May to September. Instead, park along the road before arriving in the resort.
For the departure point, cross the car park, go through the small tunnel and take the last ski lift (1), go up the ski slope and follow the path (it's very difficult to lose your way as there's only one path to follow).
The start is very easy - through a small valley where a small stream flows. You might be lucky enough to meet a herd of Salers cows.
Only the climb up in zigzags to join the pass is a bit more difficult.
Once you've reached the pass under Puy Redon (2), continue to climb up the ridge on the left. There are a few small technical sections to reach the Pas de l’Âne, but they are not very difficult (3).
Once you are nearly at the top, the end of the route consists of a wooden 'motorway', which takes you up to the 1885 m of the Puy de Sancy (4).
The descent is through a wooded area. Take the first path on your right to re-join the ski lift on the plateau. Follow the red and white trail markers of GR4E (5) to arrive back at the resort.
The Puy de Sancy via the Courre Valley
A very beautiful hike in a conservation area.
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 6.68 km -
Calculated time: 3h 25 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 526 m -
Vertical drop: - 526 m -
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Highest point: 1,851 m -
Lowest point: 1,324 m
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Areas: Massif central, Monts Dore -
District: Mont-Dore (63240) -
Start/End: N 45.541851° / E 2.816528° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 2432ET, 2432ETR, 2433SB -
Description
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,325 m - Dordogne (fleuve)
- 1 : km 0.45 - alt. 1,338 m - Courre Valley ski lift
- 2 : km 2.32 - alt. 1,697 m - Pass under Puy Redon - Col de Courre (1781m)
- 3 : km 2.98 - alt. 1,794 m - Pas de l'Ane
- 4 : km 3.31 - alt. 1,849 m - Puy de Sancy
- 5 : km 4.48 - alt. 1,659 m - GR4E Crossroads - Cascade de la Dore
- S/E : km 6.68 - alt. 1,325 m
Useful Information
"Notice for dog owners": the route crosses a nature reserve where access to dogs is not permitted, even on a lead.
Do not under-estimate this hike. Good shoes are needed, especially in the rain.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Many variations are possible such as following the ridges to come back to the resort.
Reviews and comments
4 / 5
4 / 5
5 / 5
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : 02/09/19
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
The start of the description was a little confusing - but in the end we located it between the main cable car and the last ski lift (not operating at this time). Excellent walk through Courre valley and a little bit of easy bouldering at the end ( although hand holds clear and one part had steps cut!). Amazing number of wooden steps up to the peak. Unfortunately missed route down and had rather unpleasant trek down rough ski slope, then found path for the end section through trees to the source of the Dordogne. Overall a fantastic walk on a clear if windy day.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.