La Godivelle combines two very different types of lake with village paths and hiking routes of varying lengths. Lac d'En-Bas is of glacial origin, while Lac d'En-Haut is a crater lake. There is also a freely accessible nature trail with eight information panels and a birdwatching area with a telescope, as well as a trail that shares unusual stories about the village. When planning your visit, it is therefore helpful to consider whether you are most interested in the lakes, exploring the village on foot, or taking a longer hiking route.
Lakes and Nature Watching
Lac d'En-Bas is of glacial origin, while Lac d'En-Haut is a crater lake. The two lakes therefore differ markedly in how they were formed. The Sentier de la RĂ©serve naturelle is located at Lac d'En-Bas. The trail is freely accessible and has eight information panels and a birdwatching area with a telescope. If you are interested in how lakes form or in birdwatching, you will find specific points of interest here; the nature trail focuses on Lac d'En-Bas.
Village Trail and Hiking Routes
The Sentier des légendes de La Godivelle is 4 km long and runs through lanes and paths. It shares unusual stories about the village and starts opposite the town hall. The trail thus combines a set distance with a clear connection to the village. If you would like to explore La Godivelle on foot, you can combine a walk through its lanes with the village's traditional stories.
La Godivelle also lies on the GR 30, an approximately 20 km circular route connecting a dozen lakes in the Auvergne. The Tour des Vaches Rouges is a different undertaking: this difficult circular hike is 131.4 km long, takes eight days and includes La Godivelle on its route. The options range from a 4 km village trail to an approximately 20 km lake circuit and a challenging, multi-day hike. When planning, you can consider whether village stories, a route connecting several lakes, or a longer hike should take priority.
Church and Regional Specialties
The Église Saint-Blaise is a small rural church built of granite and basalt. Its simple architecture follows the Auvergnat Romanesque style. It was listed as a protected building by order dated 20 July 2022. Its materials, architectural style and protected status each offer a distinct cultural point of interest during your stay.
Saint-Nectaire can also be part of your local discoveries: visitors can find the cheese at local producers or markets and sample it there. If you would like to include regional products in your trip, Saint-Nectaire offers a specific culinary suggestion alongside the area's landscape and cultural attractions.
Plan a Stay That Suits You
When looking for a hotel in La Godivelle, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your stay: lakes and birdwatching, the village history trail, or a longer hike? The area's nature and cultural attractions offer different starting points for planning; the Tour des Vaches Rouges provides a clear eight-day framework for a multi-day trip.
Discover more destinations: Grandval, Sayat, Egliseneuve-D'entraigues, Parentignat, Sainte-Agathe, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, Cébazat, Collanges.
For the broader travel overview: Puy-De-DĂ´me.
