Independent Walking Holiday in Cantal mountains, Auvergne in France

Your Holiday at a Glance


Independent Walking Holiday	Cantal Mountains The Rugged heart of France
Dates for 2012	Saturdays from mid May to mid October
Price	£545 p/p based on 2 sharing
Grade	grade explained
Profile	8 days: 6 one-day walking circuits staying in centrally based guest house Find out more about our independent walking holidays
Highlights	A sumptuous green landscape of wild and rugged ridges, elegant peaks and glaciated valleys Exciting and dramatic walks which take you off the well trodden paths on to rocky ridges and airy summits A rich upland flora and fauna An important rural heritage with picturesque well preserved villages and farmsteads made up of sturdy and pretty houses. A unique site - the largest volcano (now extinct) in western Europe A unique walking holiday, created to experience the finest Cantal walks and landscapes
Accommodation and Meals	For this unique walking holiday you'll be based at La Boudio, a small guest house in a historic farm which has been restored to create an ideal retreat at the foot of the Cantal Mountains. The guest house provides authentic and comfortable ensuite accommodation in an exceptional location. Meals are taken in your guest house and are tasty local dishes. You'll be reserved a warm and generous welcome, as well as receiving plenty of advice about your walks.
What's included	Transfer to and from Murat train station and guest house, 7 night's accommodation full board. Full walking notes and maps - see example walking notes, transport to the start of 2 walks
What's not included	Travel to and from Murat, France. Lunches on arrival and departure days . Any excursions, entrance fees or transport on rest day. Travel insurance
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Cantal mountains - the rugged heart of France

The Auvergne is home to some of the finest mountains that make up the Massif Central. On this independent walking holiday, you'll be exploring the Cantal mountains in the southern Auvergne of France. The Cantal massif is the extinct remains of one of the largest volcanoes in Europe. Erosion by ice and water has since created a series of ridges, peaks and valleys of stunning beauty that you'll simply never tire of. Beautiful U-shaped valleys radiate outwards defined by rugged and airy ridges that eminate from rocky summets. The rich green hues of the steep mountain slopes and the wild untamed nature of the mountains give them an almost British feel. Its southerly position means that it has relatively high levels of sunshine and relatively high temperatures.

In addition, the Cantal has a rich historical legacy through its rural settlements and farms. The local architecture is simple yet easy on the eye, the sturdy cottages blending seamlessly into the mountainous backdrop. In this upland area, the local dishes are simple yet appetising. For example, la truffade is a typical mountain dish made from cheese, potatoes and bacon. The area is also a haven for wildlife, including birds of prey, deer, marmots, mouflon, chamois and a host of wild flowers.

Find out more information about the Cantal Mountains and its average weather conditions

Walkind profile

This independent walking holiday will suit those people who enjoy following mountainous ridges and standing on lofty summits. The daily walks on this walking holiday range from 10 - 20km in length with an average of 750m of ascent. (Maximum daily ascent 910m). The terrain is mountainous. The paths are generally good although they can be rough and stony in places and sometimes you’ll follow minor less well-defined paths. There are some sections where you will need to use your hands for stability or progression. Alternative paths to these sections will be detailed in the notes. The holiday is suitable for the regular hill walker. Some walking experience in mountainous terrain would be a distinct advantage.

Location Cantal Auvergne massif central France independent walking holiday

Walking

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome in Murat and transfer to guest house at the foot of the Cantal massif. Delicious evening meal in guest house.

Day 2: Plâteau du Limon (5hrs, +600m)

A fairly easy day to ease you into the week designed to discover the Limon plateau to the north of your guest house. Once you’ve climbed out of the glaciated valley you’ll explore a unique landscape of moors, bogs and grazing land covering a plateau of deep lava fields, punctuated by small hills and valleys.

Day 3: Puy Griou (5,30 hrs, +700m)

Today you’ll be transported to Mandailles a lovely village in the beautiful Jordanne Valley. From here you’ll head towards the the Puy Griou a beautiful isolated volcanic peak. Those who are happy with easy scrambling can go to its top for great views. Afterwards your walk follows the GR400 path to the stunning Rocher du Bec de l’Aigle before descending to your guest house.

Day 4: Puy Mary (6hrs, +700m)

A great walk that takes in the summit of the Puy Mary, the emblematic mountain of the Cantal range. You'll climb to the Col Serre from your B&B before following a ridge to the base of the mountain, which you’ll then traverse. The summit and descent ridge provides some of the finest views in the Cantal. Your walk then follow an amazing and dramatic ridge (pictured right) with a small section of scrambling to the Col de Cabre before descending an isolated glaciated valley back to your B&B.

Day 5: Rest day, visit Murat or optional walk

A chance for a breather to relax at your guest house or visit the local historic market town of Murat. Alternative walks are available for those wishing to do more walking.

Day 6: Puy de Peyre Arse (5hrs, +910m)

A great day's walking for those who enjoy aesthetic mountain routes away from the main paths. You’ll ascend the superb, rocky north east ridge of the Puy de Peyre Arse. This is a beautiful ridge ascending 700m that leads almost directly from the B&B to the lofty summit. After a moderate descent you’ll scale the various summits of the Puy Bataillouse before descending directly to your B&B.

Day 7: Cirque du Falgoux (7hrs, +800m)

After being transported to Falgoux you’ll climb on to a beautiful and wild ridge where you can summit several small craggy tops on your way to the Col de Redonet. Here you can make the short detour to the spectacular Puy Chavaroche before contouring the cirque du Falgoux and descending to your B&B.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast and transfer to Murat.

Cantal ridge near Puy Mary Auvergne Massif Central France independent walking holiday

Summits and ridges above Falgoux Cantal Auvergne Massif Central France independent walking holiday

Puy Griou Cantal Auvergne Massif Central France independent walking holiday

Above Mandailles Cantal Auvergne France independent walking holiday

Book this Holiday

For useful advice about independent walking and preparing for your self guided holidays please take a look at the articles in our top-tips section.

Once you have booked on this independent walking holiday in the Cantal mountains of France, further information about the walking, the region and what to bring, will be sent to you. We do have a web page dedicated to what clothes and equipment you should bring. In addition, our travel shop has direct access to all the top walking and travel retailers. Please contact us if you need any further information.

Accommodation & Meals

On this unique independent walking holiday in the Cantal, you'll be based at La Boudio, a small guest house in a historic farm which has been restored to create an ideal retreat at the foot of the Cantal Mountains. The guest house provides authentic and comfortable ensuite accommodation in an exceptional location. You'll be reserved a warm and generous welcome, as well as receiving plenty of advice about your walks.

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday you'll eat packed lunches prepared by our hosts. Evening meals will be taken at your guest house. Local specialities will be available to try every evening.

Name	Type	Details	Rating
La Boudio	auberge/gite	Lovely terrace of traditional stone buildings in a great setting at the foot of the Cantal mountains	2/3 star eq

Travel Options

You have 2 main options for getting to Murat: driving or taking the train. You can also fly into a number of airports such as Paris CDG and then take the train.

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a services from London to Clermond Ferrand via Paris. (Note you'll need to change stations in Paris) From there you take the regional ter trains to Murat.

www.raileurope.co.uk
www.eurostar.com

Please use Rail Europe's train finder to organise your train journey.

If you cannot get a service to match your request, phone the number on the rail europe website. We can organise your travel arrangements for you if needed.

By Car

Once in France, the journey from Calais to Murat takes about 9-10 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 35 euros each way. Channel crossings are provided by the following companies.

P&O Ferries