Olby lies at the foot of the Puy de Dôme. Hiking trails, archaeological traces, village history and products from local goat farming give the village several distinct points of interest. When planning your trip, it is worth looking at the different route details as well as the historic sites and offerings of the Ferme des Cabri’Olby. This will help you decide whether hiking, cultural history or regional products should shape your stay.
Hikes with different planning details
The circular hike “Le Puy de Cros” is 6 km long, marked in blue and listed as taking 1 hour 45 minutes. It starts at Place de l’église in Olby (63210). Check the current trail markings before setting off. Another option is the “Balade le bourg-Les Bernards” hike: described as very easy, the route is 6.7 km long, takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and includes 100 metres of ascent. It is advisable to check local conditions before setting out on this hike.
The details offer a clear comparison: “Balade le bourg-Les Bernards” is longer, but its stated duration is shorter than that of “Le Puy de Cros”. The 100 metres of ascent are an additional planning detail; the rating as a very easy route applies to the route to Les Bernards. This lets you consider distance, stated duration and elevation gain separately.
Scenery around Puy de Cros
A return walk to the summit of Le Puy de Cros, with its Calvary, offers views of the Puy de Dôme. The path also goes around the hill of Le Puy de Cros, whose basalt layer has protected it from erosion. The view and the geological feature offer two different ways to explore this landscape: the view from the summit and the hill’s formation.
Church and archaeological traces
The Église Saint-Pierre stands in the centre of Olby. It was completed in 1898, replacing a Gothic building. The village’s archaeological history goes back further: excavations in the parish garden in the 1990s uncovered 117 burials in an extensive early medieval necropolis, including 49 trachyte sarcophagi. Today, the only visible feature of the archaeological site around the church is the motte castrale. The Tilleul de Sully, more than 400 years old, is also one of Olby’s notable historic landmarks.
Local history in Les Bernards and Les Viradas
Local buildings away from the church also tell of their former uses. The Four banal des Bernards and its associated washhouse were once used by around 15 families. The families took turns baking bread every two weeks. The Moulin des Bernards is supplied by a millrace from the Ceyssat stream. In the hamlet of Les Viradas, the former sawmill operated until the 1960s; its crane mast is still visible. These examples served different functions, but all prompt questions about everyday life and local work in the past.
Cheese and trout fishing
The Ferme des Cabri’Olby makes organic farmstead cheeses from the milk of its French Alpine goats, which are kept in Olby. The selection includes fresh, matured, coated and spreadable varieties, as well as Faisselle and fromage blanc. Guided tours for individuals and groups are available by prior request; a reservation may be required. Be sure to request a tour in advance.
Trout fishing is another point of interest: Olby remains a well-known centre for it and has several clear streams. Cheesemaking and trout fishing add two more interests to the hiking and cultural attractions, which you can take into account when planning a trip to Olby.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Ardes, Issoire, Thuret, Thiers, Saint-Beauzire, Murat-Le-Quaire, Cunlhat, Vodable.
For the regional travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.
