Picherande offers nature lovers several distinct hiking destinations: the maar lake Lac Chauvet at an elevation of 1,176 m, moorland and a waterfall. Lac Chauvet is a maar, or a former volcano. The area around the lake includes beech forest and a raised bog with protected plant species. The Lac Chauvet ZNIEFF site is home to four protected plant species associated with the lake’s amphibious vegetation. Lac de Gayme, by contrast, is an artificial lake created on a bog in 1983. The Gayme bog lies beyond the Bois de Gayme beech forest; the Fontaine Salée valley can be seen in the background.
Hiking between the lake, forest and waterfall
The route to Lac Chauvet follows a stream, crosses footbridges and passes through beech forest, other wooded areas and pastures. It leads to both Cascade de la Barthe and Lac Chauvet. The starting point is between the church and the town hall in Picherande. From Besse-en-Chandesse, reach the route via the D978 and D203; check road conditions before setting out.
A very easy hike is also designated for Cascade de la Barthe. It is mostly flat, 1.5 km long and takes about 45 minutes for the round trip. The cascade was formed by the erosion of a lava flow; the Ruisseau de Neuffonds plunges down there as a waterfall into the forest.
The “Tourbière et lac de Gayme” circular hike is 3.8 km long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes—roughly twice as long as the round trip to Cascade de la Barthe. There are four fishing platforms at Lac de Gayme. One of them is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
For a longer, more challenging route, La Fontaine Salée is a difficult circular hike starting in Picherande: it is 16.5 km long and takes 5 hours and 15 minutes. Seasonal access depends on the official conditions; check the guidance before setting out.
Other activities and culture
The Espace Sancy VTT-FFC mountain biking area in Picherande includes the green Bois de Gayme circular route, No. 8. It is 5.1 km long with an elevation gain of 90 m. Another option in the Picherande area is Sancy Tour No. 19, a walking tour and observation game. It introduces visitors to the local dialect and life in this mountain region.
In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails are offered as outdoor activities; opening depends on snow conditions. Picherande also has a roller-skiing trail. The FĂŞte de la Gentiane on August 14 and 15 features events, exhibitions and hikes celebrating the gentian. Check the dates for your travel year.
The Église Saint-Quintien also offers a cultural point of interest: it dates from the 14th century. Its original ensemble has been listed in the inventory of historic monuments since 1971.
Hiking information
IGN maps showing Picherande’s hiking trails are available at all Sancy tourist offices. As map availability and editions may change, check which maps are available before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Aubusson-D'auvergne, Saint-Clément-De-Régnat, Viscomtat, Saint-Pierre-Colamine, Bagnols, Cournon-D'auvergne, Boudes, Gouttières.
For the regional travel overview: Puy-De-DĂ´me.
