Home » All trips » Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France

Highlights

A sumptuous green landscape of wild and rugged ridges, elegant peaks and glaciated valleys. Exciting and dramatic walks which take you off the well trodden paths on to rocky ridges and airy summits. Holiday Profile : 7 nights/8 days – 6 days centre-based walking. Dates : Everday of week subject to availability from 15 May to 15 October.

At a Glance

A centre-based self-guided walking holiday exploring the wonderful Cantal Mountains in the southern Massif Central

Price

From £ 1,035 per person

Every journey is tailor-made and can be personalised to your travel style, preferred accommodation and budget.

All highlights

Cantal Mountains . The Auvergne is home to some of the finest mountains that make up the Massif Central. On this independent walking holiday , you’ll be exploring the Cantal mountains in the southern Auvergne of France . The Cantal mountain range is the extinct remains of one of the largest volcanoes in Europe. Erosion by ice and water has since created a series of ridges, peaks and valleys of stunning beauty that you’ll simply never tire of. Beautiful U-shaped valleys radiate outwards defined by rugged and airy ridges that eminate from rocky summits. The rich green hues of the steep mountain slopes and the wild untamed nature of the mountains give them an almost British feel. Its southerly position means that it has relatively high levels of sunshine and relatively high temperatures. In addition, the Cantal has a rich historical legacy through its rural settlements and farms. The local architecture is simple yet easy on the eye, the sturdy cottages blending seamlessly into the mountainous backdrop. In this mountainous area, the local dishes are simple yet appetising. For example, la truffade is a typical mountain dish made from cheese, potatoes and bacon. The area is also a haven for wildlife, including birds of prey, deer, marmots, mouflon, chamois and a host of wild flowers. Find out more information about the Cantal Mountains, how Cantal’s volcanic landscape developed and its average weather conditions. Holiday Profile . 7 nights/8 days: 6 days centre-based walking . Everday of week subject to availability from 15 May to 15 October . Walking Profile & Grade .

A sumptuous green landscape of wild and rugged ridges, elegant peaks and glaciated valleys
Exciting and dramatic walks which take you off the well trodden paths on to rocky ridges and airy summits
A rich upland flora and fauna
An important rural heritage with picturesque well preserved villages and farmsteads made up of sturdy and pretty houses.
A unique site – the largest volcano (now extinct) in western Europe
A unique walking holiday, created to experience the finest Cantal walks and landscapes

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 2

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 3

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 4

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 5

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 7

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 8

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 9

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 10

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 11

Cantal Mountains: The Rugged Heart of France - Image 12

At a Glance

Challenging

This independent walking holiday will suit those people who enjoy following mountainous ridges and standing on lofty summits. The daily walks on this walking holiday range from 10 - 20km in length with an average of 750m of ascent. (Maximum daily ascent 910m). The terrain is mountainous. For the most part the walking is at the easy end of the challenging grade. The paths are generally good although they can be rough and stony in places and sometimes you’ll follow minor less well-defined paths. There are some sections where you will need to use your hands for stability or progression. Alternative paths to these sections will be detailed in the notes. The holiday is suitable for the regular hill walker. Some walking experience in mountainous terrain would be a distinct advantage. This walking holiday is graded challenging. See more information about walking grades.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Murat and transfer to guest house at the foot of the Cantal massif. Delicious evening meal in guest house.. Suggested walks. We have listed some possible walks per day, but there are several additional walks listed at the end of this page, and you can choose to do any of the walks on any of the days (subject to access to certain walks by taxi.). .

Day 2: Puy de Niermont

A fairly easy ascent to ease you into the week. Once you've climbed out of the glaciated valley you'll follow a picturesque ridge to the summit of Puy de Niermont at 1620m for fabulous 360° views, providing a good overview of the Cantal Mountains. Afterwards, explore the unique landscape of the Limon plateau with moors and pastures, punctuated by small hills and valleys.. Walk: 6hrs, +630m . .

Day 3: Puy Griou

Today you'll be transported to Mandailles a lovely village in the beautiful Jordanne Valley. From here you'll head towards the the Puy Griou a beautiful isolated volcanic peak. Those who are happy with easy scrambling can go to its top for great views. Afterwards your walk follows the GR400 path to the stunning Rocher du Bec de l'Aigle before descending to your guest house.. Walk: 5hrs 30, +700m . .

Day 4: Puy Mary

A great walk that takes in the summit of the Puy Mary, the emblematic mountain of the Cantal range. You'll climb to the Col Serre from your B&B before following a ridge to the base of the mountain, which you'll then traverse. The summit and descent ridge provides some of the finest views in the Cantal. Your walk then follows an amazing and dramatic ridge (pictured right) with a small section of scrambling to the Col de Cabre before descending an isolated glaciated valley back to your B&B.. Walk: 6hrs, +700m . .

Day 5: Rest day or additional walk

A chance for a breather to relax at your guest house or visit the local historic market town of Murat. Alternative walks are available for those wishing to do more walking (see additional walks below).. .

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast transfer from your guest house to Murat..

Accommodation & Meals

For this unique walking holiday in the Cantal you’ll be based in two traditional guest houses which have been restored to create an ideal retreat at the foot of the Cantal Mountains. One is in Mandailles in the west and the other is in the Santoir Valley to the east. The guest houses provide authentic and comfortable ensuite accommodation in an exceptional location. Meals are taken in your guest houses and are tasty local dishes. You’ll be reserved a warm and generous welcome.

When to Travel

Our independent walking holiday in the Cantal starts from mid May in order to give sufficient time for the winter snow to melt on the highest ridges and summits.

All observations are for Likely differences between these values and those experienced in the walking areas are highlighted below.

The weather in the Cantal is influenced to a large extent by its altitude. This makes for a wetter climate than you would otherwise get for its southern location. The summits receive additional rain compared to the valleys, often in the form of snow in the winter and in storms in the summer. The region has 13 rainy days per month in May falling to 10 in June and only 8 in July. August and September are also relatively dry months with only 9 days with some rain.

Temperatures vary with altitude and so there is a difference between the average temperatures listed below for Aurillac, which is situated in the western Cantal at 600m and those experienced whilst walking on the summits which will also be influenced by wind conditions. Temperatures at Aurillac are as follows: 17°C in May, 20°C in June and September, 23.5°C in July and August, and 15°C in October. On average temperatures on the summits would be about 5 – 6°C cooler.

The Cantal is a relatively sunny location, more so than the more northern mountains of Auvergne, making it an ideal location for a walking holiday. Average sunshine totals amount to 7 hours per day in May and June, rising to 9 hours in July and August. September is similar to May but October is much less sunny.

In summary, July and August are the warmest and driest months. The valleys could be uncomfortably hot from mid July to mid August. June and September are ideal months with June being slightly sunnier than September but also slightly wetter on average. The end of May is warmer and sunnier than the beginning of October, but it is also wetter.

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also a number of other waymarkings including red and white markings of the GR4 and GR400 long distance trails which you’ll follow on several walks. There is a fairly dense network of signposts with place names and directions in the Cantal, even in the upland areas. For the most part the walking follows clear paths and tracks. There are some walks where the paths are less well defined on the ground and where you’ll use features and our detailed notes to ensure you are on the right trail. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. They also include information about the sites which can be explored along the route. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:2

Extra Nights

It is possible to tailor our self-guided walking holiday to suit your requirements. This walking holiday stays in one location and includes 7 nights and 6 days walking. You can adpapt the holiday to include anything from 5 to 12 nights. We will add additional walks to your walking guide. For holidays of more than 8 nights it is recommended that you have your own car to access additional walks. Please contact us for further information and advice.

We can also create a tailored walking holiday which combines this centre-based walking holiday with our inn-to-inn hike around the Cantal mountains of central France

Tour of the Cantal