TO DISCOVER
in THE VALLEY, in the SUMMER PASTURES or on the CRESTS
Hiking ... discover a multitude of hiking trails around the Cantal Mountains starting from Dienne. Short 2-3 hour loops begin in the village and lead to, among other things, the Gendarme's Cross and the Limon Plateau with its landscapes reminiscent of "Mongolia", the Entremont region and Lake Collanges, which evoke Scandinavia, as well as the Laqueuille Rock and the village of Drils, testaments to the geological and historical heritage of the Cantal.
From the Col de Serre, just a few minutes away by car, or by shuttle bus in high season, you can spend the day around Puy Mary on the GR4 long-distance hiking trail or on the various hiking routes that will take you to La Brèche de Rolland, the Col de Cabre, or Peyre Arse—all paths winding through the valley and along the ridges surrounding the iconic pyramidal silhouette. Here you are in the heart of the largest volcano in Europe, even though it has been extinct for millions of years ! The landscapes that bear witness to this are impressive and constantly changing throughout the four seasons.
By bike ... on road or off-road, discover the four mountain passes of Pas de Peyrol, Pertus, Cère, and Entremont, passing through Puy Mary, Mandailles, Saint-Jacques-des-Blats, and Le Lioran. You can take a loop to explore the Cezallier region, starting from Dienne or Allanche, or stay on the Pinatelle plateau and access Lac du Pêcher, Lac Sauvage, and the Jolan peat bog. The route climbs and descends through rolling landscapes frequented by numerous amateur and professional athletes, including the Tour de France, which has passed through here since 1959 and is scheduled to return in the summer of 2026!
By train or car ... around Puy Mary you'll find valleys rich in heritage and spectacular landscapes that change with the seasons. Murat train station is less than 10 km away and is served in the summer by a shuttle bus that travels through the valleys and stops practically at our doorstep! The Liorant ski resort is 18 km away.
Nestled in these valleys, the small villages boast Romanesque churches, watermills, and stone houses with slate roofs. Discover the local cuisine, cheeses and meats from the local Acajou Salers breed (the emblem of Cantal), charcuterie, mountain gentian, natural wines from the surrounding area, and craft beers. We would be delighted to guide you on your visits!
On all fours .... with its very rich biodiversity, the Cantal region is an ideal place for observation and dioscovery. Amateur or professional naturalists, natur lovers of all ages, will find somlething to enjoy. By opening your eyes and ears wide you can easily see Chamois, Marmots or Doe, but also the hummingbird hawk-moth, the red kite and even the griffon vulture. In spring you can hear the midwife toad and in automn the inimitable bellow of the red Deer Stag ...
Paragliding ... this exceptional environment makes it an ideal site for your individual or group flights. Perhaps during a first flight with the nearby paragliding school "Thang-ka", with its landing field at the foot of L'EPICERIE DE DIENNE !
