Saulzet-le-Froid lies on a plateau at an altitude of 1,000 m between the Chaîne des Puys to the north and the Monts Dore to the south. Hiking routes vary considerably in length, walking time and difficulty, while volcanic formations and a protected peat bog shape the area. You can therefore plan your day around short panoramic walks or a much longer circuit.

Plateau, Maar and Protected Moorland

The Narse d’Espinasse is a peat bog that formed in a maar. Together with the 989 m-high Puy de l’Enfer, it forms an exceptional geological site. A prefectural decree protects the biotope. On the Puy de Combegrasse and Narse d’Espinasse route, please stay on the paths in the Narse area so as not to disturb the flora and fauna.

The elevations of the viewpoints also give the landscape its contours: the summit of the Puy de Combegrasse is at 1,120 m and offers views of the Chaîne des Puys and the Puy de Dôme. The route over the Puy de Montenard opens up panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, the Monts Dore, the Sancy Massif and the Monne Valley.

Hikes with Different Time Requirements

The blue-marked circular hike over the Puy de Montenard is rated easy, is 5.0 km long and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Another easy but longer option is the Puy de Combegrasse and Narse d’Espinasse circular hike: it covers 9.8 km, is listed as taking three hours and passes through Saulzet-le-Froid. Both routes are circular hikes; their stated distances and times make it easy to compare their length and time requirements.

The Le puy de Baladou circular hike is considerably more challenging. It is rated difficult, is 18.5 km long and takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes. Its route description leads to the entrance to Saulzet-le-Froid and then towards Pessade and into the hamlet. This route is therefore on a completely different scale from the two easy circular hikes.

The long-distance GR4 trail also passes through Saulzet-le-Froid. It runs from Royan in the Charente-Maritime département to Grasse in the Alpes-Maritimes. Alongside the circular hikes, there is therefore a route through the commune that forms part of a much longer trail.

Waterways and Traces of Local History

The Veyre is formed by the confluence of the Labadeau and the Narse, passes through Saulzet-le-Froid and continues towards Lac d’Aydat.

Near the hamlet of Zanières, traces of a former Roman road can be seen. The ruins of a former inn called “La Baraque” are also located there. Saulzet-le-Froid’s church houses a Black Madonna dating from the mid-Middle Ages. These landmarks add visible traces of older roads, buildings and religious history to the area’s nature and hiking attractions.

Another Leisure Activity

Chouette Parc offers a summer toboggan run, bouncy castles, treetop climbing courses, trampolines and throwing games. Individual activities may change. The park can therefore be considered a separate activity alongside the hikes, without assuming that the different activities have any particular suitability or follow a specific visiting itinerary.

There are several concrete ways to plan your stay: short and longer easy circular hikes, a difficult route requiring considerably more time, and the GR4, which passes through the commune. These are complemented by protected moorland, volcanic viewpoints and traces of local history.

Discover more destinations: Sauvessanges, Royat, Ménétrol, Saint-Pierre-Colamine, La Roche-Noire, Parentignat, Saint-Gervais-Dʼauvergne, Aydat

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