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Intro Theme Photos and Location Model Programme Access Accommodation What's Included Prices

Walking in Cantal [4]

 Ask us about our Walking in Cantal, Walking tour Cantal-Enlightened Traveller
 Walking Cantal's volcanic uplands
 
breche du rolland
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Facts
 
• Self-guided, challenging, walking tour.
• Start and finish in Murat.
• Six nights, with arrivals any day from mid-May to mid-October - rest or extra day recommended.
 
Please click through the following points or alternatively scroll down the page.

a) Theme
b) Photos & Location
c) Model tour: Walking in Cantal
 
 
a) Theme
 
Cantal castleWalking in Cantal takes you to Auvergne and the heart of the Massif Central. You walk Europe’s largest extinct volcano and the enchanting summits, ridges and valleys that constitute this walkers’ paradise. In the process you climb the region's highest peaks or puys, the original ‘chimneys’ of the volcano, which include Plomb du Cantal  (at 6084 feet/1855 metres) and the emblematic Puy Mary.
 
Walking in Cantal is a challenging tour befitting of the modern ‘no pain, no gain’ adage. Nevertheless, it is well within the capabilities of all fit individuals who walk regularly. Moreover, we provide options that can reduce either walk lengths or the climbs on certain days. It’s a walking tour in Cantal that can be hiked in five days, but we strongly recommend an extra night in either Thiezac or Mandailles, or both, in order to fully appreciate and savour the beauty of this extraordinary region. By the end of the week of walking Cantal’s ridges, valleys, upland moors and domes, you will feel an eternal bond with Cantal and each and every Puy with which you have had the privilege to get acquainted.
 
Walking in Cantal is a liberating experience. It may not help you with your French, but it should inspire you to re-fresh that long-forgotten knowledge of physical geography that you considered to be mere book-learning first-time around.
 
Finally, regarding the extra night in either Thiezac or Mandailles, both provide options for extra short walks. A rest day in Thiezac is recommended for those walking the full Day Two itinerary; whereas a stop over in Mandailles would ensure you get to see and film the heights of Puy Mary and Puy Chavaroche – both of which are susceptible to afternoon mist that can descend quite quickly. Moreover, this option would also be a safeguard against those occasional storms when you would certainly not wish to be on the high ridges and peaks. Consider it as an insurance policy – you’ve come all the way to walk Puy Mary and it would be a great shame to miss out.
 
b) Further Information
 
• For a four-night version of this tour, see Best of Walking Auvergne 
• Click here for alternative short hiking tours to consider.
 
 
 
From Teton du Venus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
c) Model tour: Walking in Cantal
 
 
Day 1: Arrival in picturesque Murat.

DAY 2: Murat to Lioran.
18 kms, with 750 m altitude gain & 400 m descent.
A steep learning curve, as you gradually climb the St Jacques Way to the Teton du Venus, before the sharpish descent to your welcoming walkers' inn.
 
DAY 3: Lioran to Thiézac via Plomb du Cantal.
Full option, 22.5 kms, with 750 m altitude gain of & very gradual 1000 m descent; shorter option, 16 kms, and avoids an ascent.
The proud will wish to brave the ascent, whilst the hedonists enjoy the pleasure minus the pain of Cantal's highest peak. The Roman trail that descends to Thiezac is a multi-faceted joy that all hikers should experience. 
 
DAY 4: Thiézac to Mandailles.
11.5 kms, with 750 m altitude gain & 600 m descent.
The climb is quite steep but rewarding, and the narrow ridges provide some real excitement as well as some of the best views over the Cantal Massif.
 
DAY 5: Circular walk from/to Mandailles via Puy Mary.
Full option, 18 kms, with 980 m altitude gain of & 1190 m descent; shorter option, 14 kms, avoiding 250 ms of ascent.
The piece de resistance is worthy of its billing, as an exquisite day's hiking takes in the top-three features of the Cantal countryside. Sacré balade!
 
DAY 6: Mandailles to Lioran.
11 kms, with 765 m altitude gain (650 if you don’t climb Puy Griou) & 500 m descent (385 if you don’t climb Puy Griou).
Puy Griou is one of the most enduring and endearing of the region's volcanic cones. Today you get to see it and cimb it before your final descent to the conviviality of your hikers' tavern.

Day 7: Transfer to Murat after breakfast.
 
Near Teton de Venus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
d) Access 
 
Your tour commences from the delightful Cantalian town of Murat. Best access is via train from Beziers, Claremont-Ferrand, St Etienne or Toulouse and relevant airports are Paris CDG, Lyon, Toulouse and a number of smaller airports in the Languedoc area.
 
 
e) Accommodation 
 
Welcoming, comfortable, family-run accommodation await you, incl. auberge/walkers’ inn, chambre d’hote and hotel.
 
• Two nights in 2-star hotels
• Four nights in either comfortable chambres d’hotes, auberges or walkers’ inns.

 
f) What's included 
 towards Teton du Venus
Included 
 
• 6 nights B & B.
• 4 picnic lunches and 5 evening meals.
• Luggage transfers and transport integral to the programmme, incl. transfer to Murat at end of tour.
• Cell-phone loan for non-Europeans if required, subject to availability.
• Hiking Notes, map & themed dossier
• Emergency telephone help-line service with British backup.
 
Not included
 
• Remaining meals, drinks & any extras.
• Personal expenses
• Entrances into optional cultural visits and venues
• Travel, walking and personal insurance
• Single rooms
 
 
 
g) Prices 2010: Walking in Cantal
 
Price per person based on 2 persons sharing            £585.00 or €650.00
double room      
 
 
Extra night’s (accommodation only) per person                                               
Mandailles:                                                        £35.00 or €40.00
Thiezac:                                                            £40.00 or €45.00
Cantal moorland



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