Aydat offers a range of highlights for a stay: seasonal time by the water, marked hiking trails with clear duration information, volcanic landscapes and historic buildings. To plan your visit, it helps to decide first whether you would prefer a shorter circular route or a longer tour. Lac d’Aydat and the wetland offer nature experiences, while the monuments provide a distinct historical perspective.
Volcanic Lake, Water and Wetland
Lac d’Aydat is a 65-hectare volcanic reservoir. It formed more than 8,500 years ago, when lava flows from the Puys jumeaux de La Vache et de Lassolas blocked the course of the Veyre. Its formation makes the lake a striking feature of the volcanic landscape.
Seasonal swimming is possible at Lac d’Aydat, as are sailing, kayaking, rowing, stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing. If you are mainly coming to swim, bear in mind the seasonal nature of swimming when choosing when to travel. The Zone humide du Lac d’Aydat wetland provides a habitat for aquatic animals, amphibians, dragonflies, and resident and migratory waterbirds. Water activities and the wetland’s wildlife therefore appeal to different interests.
Circular Routes by Duration
Autour du lac d’Aydat is an easy, blue-marked circular route covering 6.5 kilometres; the stated duration is 1 hour 45 minutes. It follows the lakeshore, offers views of the volcanoes and crosses the wetland via boardwalks. This combines a manageable time commitment with several different landscape impressions.
At 18 kilometres, with a stated duration of 4 hours 30 minutes, Aydat et ses puys takes considerably longer. The route is of moderate difficulty and marked green; whether it can be used depends on the weather. The two routes can therefore be distinguished by the time available and their stated difficulty level. Check the weather conditions before setting out on the longer route.
Volcanic Views and Historic Buildings
Puy de Vichatel is a 1,094-metre-high Strombolian cone with a crater about 86 metres deep, the second deepest in the Chaîne des Puys. The climb offers views across the Chaîne des Puys and of the Sancy Massif. This volcanic summit adds another landscape perspective to views of the lake and wetland.
The buildings also differ considerably in form and history. The Église Saint-Sidoine dates from the 13th century and was fortified in the 15th century with the addition of four towers. On 4 August 1970, it was listed in its entirety as a historic monument.
The Fontaine-calvaire de Ponteix combines a polygonal fountain basin with a cross, statues of the Virgin Mary and Saint John, and a winged dragon figure. Pierre-longue, meanwhile, is a 4.75-metre-high monolith weighing about 15 tonnes. It formerly served as a resting place for funeral processions. Together, these three monuments show different aspects of the historic heritage: church architecture, an elaborately decorated fountain and a stone that once had a function in public life.
Another Activity by the Lake
Altiparc Aydat is an adventure park in a forest near Lac d’Aydat. It has 150 activities across 15 courses; the precise layout of individual features may change. Alongside hiking routes and water sports, it offers another clearly defined activity to choose from.
Discover more destinations: Parentignat, Vic-Le-Comte, Chaumont-Le-Bourg, Vollore-Ville, Ceyrat, La Crouzille, Chastreix, Courpière.
For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
