Package holidays

From the banks of the Jordanne to the Grands Espaces of the Cantalien volcano

Rising from 670 meters to 1783 meters, on good paths, this free-form hike lets you discover the different landscapes of the Jordanne valley and the Cantalien volcano: the valley floor at Saint-Simon, steep forests, plateaus with their high-altitude grasslands, ridges and the exceptional view from the summit of Puy Mary.

Our enthusiastic hosts will be delighted to share the natural and cultural riches of this region with you.

The stay: 7 days – 6 nights – 5 days hiking

Day 1

Arrive late afternoon in Aurillac. Welcome and installation in your hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay.

©Houses on the Jordanne - Aurillac|Pays d'Aurillac Tourisme

Day 2

Loop hike around Aurillac
Aurillac – Puy Courny – Puy de Vaurs: 19.5 km

Stroll through the narrow streets of the historic center and discover the heritage and emblematic sites of the Cantalien prefecture, birthplace of the Saint-Géraud abbey. Then get up high and discover the town of Aurillac from the Puy Courny (761 m altitude), classified as a “Sensitive Natural Area”. From one summit to the next, head towards Arpajon-sur-Cère and begin the circuit up to Puy de Vaurs (755m), a walk around the hillside offering views of the two neighboring towns and the Cère valley.

Ascent +441m; Descent -443m

Day 3

Saint-Simon – Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne: 17 km

Morning cab transfer to Saint-Simon. From Saint Simon to Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne. Discover the natural environment: the banks of the Jordanne, the beech forest with its tall trees and its nuanced light, the cleared and grazed flat areas.
Open views over the landscape. Arrive and settle in Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne, where your luggage will have been transferred. Dinner and overnight in a bed & breakfast.

Height difference: +300m

Day 4

Hiking around the Jordanne: 14 km

A very varied route, crossing the Jordanne several times to climb first the north side and then the south side of the valley. Plunging into the forest to reach the high-altitude pastures, this is the start of the wide-open spaces and landscapes. Passing through mountain villages, each with its own character. Romanesque churches of Lascelles and Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne.

Return to your accommodation in Saint-Cirgues-de-Jordanne. Dinner and overnight stay.
Altitude 700 to 1100m.

Day 5

Croix de Cheules hike to Mandailles: 18.5 km

Downhill to Lascelles, then along the Jordanne, through the forest and the hamlet of
“the landscape becomes more mountainous. The route climbs to the Col d’Aisses, the lowest point on the ridges and for centuries the gateway to the Cère valley. We remain on the southern side of our valley, with superb views over the cirque de Mandailles and its prestigious peaks such as Puy Mary. We descend along a variety of paths towards St. Julien and Mandailles.

Arrive and settle into your B&B, where your luggage will have been transferred.

Dinner in a restaurant and overnight in a bed & breakfast. Or, depending on availability, hotel accommodation.
Altitude 700 to 1225m.

croix-de-cheules-buronderamet-vendogre-24-05-20-5ecd14c0b1b16.jpg — ©Montagne et randonnée

Day 6

Tour du cirque de Mandailles 18 km or variation 14.5 km

You’re in the heart of the Cantalien massif, and on this last day of hiking you’ll tour the glacial cirque of Mandailles, with an easy, steady ascent along the river to the source of the Jordanne, to reach the crests of the massif, Brèche de Roland and the ascent of the “mythical” Puy Mary at 1783m. Then descent through a superb beech forest to reach your overnight accommodation.

Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7

End of stay after breakfast.

Return by cab to Aurillac

©Pedestrian streets - Aurillac|Pays d'Aurillac Tourisme

PRICE INCLUDES

Full board
Guidebook (1 guidebook per room booked).
Luggage transfer
Tourist tax
Return by cab

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Transport from your home to the meeting point and dispersal.
Drinks and personal expenses.
Insurance.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel and private guest rooms.
Rooms are available from 4pm.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORTATION

Your luggage will be transported by a carrier in the late morning or afternoon.
We ask you to drop off your luggage in the lobby of each accommodation in the morning before you set off on your hike, and to bring only 1 piece of luggage weighing no more than 13 kg, beyond which the driver may refuse to carry it.
Please bring a small backpack to carry your personal belongings for the day.