For a stay in Sancy, nature trails and winter sports offer two different focuses. The Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve includes the southern slope of the Sancy and the Fontaine Salée glacial cirque; there are also hiking trails through forest, heath and moorland, as well as activities in the snow. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can start by deciding on your travel dates and planned activities. Snow conditions are an important factor, particularly for winter activities.

Nature Reserve and Hiking Trails

The Chastreix-Sancy Nature Reserve is free to enter for visitors who comply with its regulations. It can be reached via the GR30, the GR4 and seven PR hiking trails. Hiking, horse riding on designated trails, and alpine and Nordic skiing are permitted in the reserve. Mountain biking is prohibited. These rules help you match your planned activities with the regulations in force.

The Bois de la Masse hiking trail starts at Place de l’Église in Chastreix. It passes streams, a beech forest, heathland, a peat bog, a lava flow, stone crosses and a bread oven. Weather and seasonal conditions can affect whether the trail is passable. The Boucle Sancy Ouest runs through the nature reserve and crosses the Chastreix-Sancy ski area. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the route’s condition and waymarking.

The Sentier d’interprétation de Chastreix leads to a Gallic bridge, a shepherd’s hut and the legend of the Pas du diable; there is also a waterfall and historic livestock watering troughs to discover. The Maison de la Réserve Naturelle de Chastreix-Sancy has an educational exhibition area about the nature reserve and the Regional Natural Park of the Auvergne Volcanoes. Exhibitions may change. The centre is also a meeting place for events and a starting point for numerous walks.

At the Cascade des Essarts, the La Gagne river flows over basalt columns and falls into a pool covered with rocks and stones. The Tourbière de Rimat, meanwhile, covers six hectares, is up to ten metres deep and features a range of natural habitats. Together, these places show how water, moorland and rock shape the landscape in different ways.

Winter Sports and Seasonal Conditions

The Chastreix-Sancy ski area is on the western slope of the Sancy at an altitude of 1,400 metres and has 18 downhill runs. The cross-country skiing area includes four trails and two connecting routes, covering a total of 15.6 kilometres. Snowshoeing options include a circular route and two connecting routes through forest and upland terrain. Snow conditions affect the availability of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes; the ski area’s operating conditions may also vary by season. Check conditions before your trip.

Ski touring is possible in the Plaines brûlées and in the Fontaine Salée glacial valley, either independently or with a qualified guide. Snowkiting is also available in Chastreix-Sancy. Dog-sledding trips take visitors through the area’s vast landscapes and forests. In Chastreix, horse-riding outings with Patou also head into the Fontaine Salée glacial cirque; the provider’s availability may vary. These activities offer different ways to explore, from independent or guided ski tours to trips by dog sled or on horseback.

Church, Summit and Pilgrimage Tradition

The Église Saint-Bonnet is a rectangular church dating from the early 14th century. Its nave has four bays, and its southern portal dates from the 15th century. The church was designated a historic monument in 1907. It is open daily, year-round, and admission is free. This makes it possible to visit a building with a long history independently of plans for snow-dependent activities.

Roc de Courlande is a 1,496-metre-high summit made of trachy-andesite, offering exceptional views. Three statues of the Virgin Mary stand on the way to the summit, connected with the area’s long-standing pilgrimage tradition. The routes and places described here thus lead from the landscape and its rock formations to traces of history and religion.

Discover more destinations: Domaize, Riom, Parentignat, Billom, Saint-Just, Saint-Cirgues-Sur-Couze, Saint-Dier-D'auvergne, Mons

For the regional travel overview: Puy-De-Dôme.