Long distance Cantal walks

The Cantal, a fascinating region of mountains, valleys, ridges and rivers, is superb walking country. The map in The Cantal - topography shows, in sketch form, these features together with the GR network of the region. There are also numerous PR's which are well maintained and well signposted. As emphasised earlier all these paths are shown on the excellent IGN Blue Map 2435OT.

Long distance back-packing routes, on the major GR's 4 and 400, can easily be worked out using map 2435OT. Most gîtes d'étape are marked on the map but a full list is available on the gîtes-refuges web site. Camp sites are, in many cases, also marked but a list is available on www.cantal.com. All the hotels are summarised (with details of specific web sites) in the Cantal Hotels listing.

The Cantal mountains are a compact range of fairly closely spaced peaks, ridges and valleys. This makes it ideal terrain for a long distance circular or linear trek which can take in the best of the region. Such a trek could be planned as a back-packing trip, using gîtes d'ètape or hotels for accommodation. Whilst this could certainly be planned, significant research on routes, footpaths, and accommodation would be required. A self-guided trek or fixed base walks plan can be organised in conjunction with local hotels (see, for example, Auvergne Active).

In the case of the Cantal the effort seems unnecessary. A linear trek "Mountains of the Auvergne" is offered by Inntravel. This starts in the village of Les Chazes (St.Jacques des Blats) and goes via Thiézac, St.Cirgues de Jordanne, Mandailles, and Le Falgoux to Salers. It takes in many of the major peaks, ridges and valleys of the region and, in our opinion, is a good linear tour of the Cantal. Baggage is moved from hotel to hotel and the hotels are all carefully selected to be of very good quality with excellent food. The trek takes six days, 5 days walking (a total distance of 92 kilometres) but Inntravel recommend rest days on route and their brochure recommends where rest days are best taken. "Rest days", of course, can be used for extra local walks and in all cases recommended there are superb local walks, as easy or as difficult as required (some suitable local walks are described in "Day/half day circular walks").

It is unfortunate that Inntravel have had to change their route from earlier years. Probably the best walk in the Cantal, along the Puy Mary ridge, is no longer included. If there is a way this can be achieved on the rest day at Hôtel des Chazes, we strongly recommend it!

It is important to note that Inntravel grade the trek "Grade3 - Challenging, long climbs each day". This is certainly true and a reasonable level of walking fitness is necessary if the trek is to be enjoyed. The initiation, on the first morning, of the climb to Plomb du Cantal from Hôtel des Chazes will determine your level of fitness! (The height gain is over 800metres). All the precautions for mountain walking detailed earlier in this site apply and should be observed.

Full details of the route plus a sketch map and height profile is given in the Inntravel brochure. This can be ordered from the Inntravel web-site.