Perhaps you already know its volcanoes. Perhaps not. What’s certain is that you have never yet set foot on the 4,000 kilometers of hiking trails that the Puy-de-Dôme has to offer. The department and its tourism office are launching the inaugural edition of Autumn Crossings. Between October 3 and October 31, 2026, 63 hikes are available by registration. They can be done on foot, as a family, by bike, or even with your dogs. All reservations are made on the tourism office’s website.
The organizers invite visitors to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Puy-de-Dôme through sporting and convivial events. Of course, in this ancient volcanic region, crater lakes and other lava domes have a central place on the program. You might, for instance, stroll around Lake Pavin, which is almost a perfect circle, with a diameter of 800 meters. Legend has it that, displeased with the behavior of the women of the ancient town of Besse, God avenged himself by swallowing the village beneath the water. A legend to hear in detail during a guided hike this autumn.
The Grand History Has Also Taken Place in Puy-de-Dôme
Along the Puys chain, you can admire the Puy des Gouttes and the Puy Chopine, whose eruption—nearly 9,500 years ago—would have sent ash as far as Switzerland! But that’s not the only proof that history has long been rich in the Puy-de-Dôme. At Gergovie, you may recall lessons about Vercingetorix. It is there that the Gaul defeated Julius Caesar!
If stories interest you, you may also enjoy guided tours in the Forest of the Comté, accessible to everyone, including on certain trails by people with reduced mobility. A 900-meter loop is specifically dedicated to forest tales. Audio and tactile devices have been installed to learn all about the forest.
A Cheese with Character to Savor in the Puy-de-Dôme
Obviously, it’s impossible to mention the Puy-de-Dôme without addressing the local gastronomy. Fans of blue cheeses will find Fourme d’Ambert on the Forez hills. You can even visit the jasseries, the summer dairies where cows are kept in the summer and where Fourme d’Ambert is produced.
After the volcanoes, the legends and the cheeses, there is ultimately only one thing left to do: lace up your hiking shoes and set off. In October, autumn could well be one of the most beautiful seasons for wandering the trails of this Auvergne department.
