Discover now the Sancy
The Massif du Sancy, located in the green mountains of the Auvergne, is the perfect place for people who like tranquility, nature, walking & hiking, mountain biking and water sports.
Walking and hiking
The Sancy, located in the ‘Parc Naturel des Volcans’, is a must for those nature and hiking enthusiasts! You can enjoy its fantastic volcanic landscapes and beautiful flora and fauna. To be able to enjoy this exceptional “at one with nature”, nothing better than a walk. Discover the areas around Saint-Nectaire, enjoy the views and waterfalls in the Chaudefour Valley, go hiking to the Puy de Sancy (with its 1,885 m. altitude, the highest peak in the Massif Central) . There are so many different tracks for adults or children, beginner or advanced, there is something for everyone!
For many different hiking trails in the Auvergne you can see the following 2 links: Walking & Hiking routes and the 20 best Running Trails around Clermont-Ferrand
Sancy in the snow
The Massif du Sancy is a feast of winter activities! In the enchanting winter landscapes of coniferous & deciduous forests and the vast plateaus with breathtaking panoramas are 3 ski areas: Mont-Dore, Super-Besse and Chastreix-Sancy. There is a suitable descent for every skier; from wide green slopes to spectacular black slopes. Snowshoe hikers and cross-country skiers can indulge themselves too; with a total of 160 km of hiking trails and 250 km of cross-country ski slopes. For even more fun in the snow, there are other spectacular activities such as tobogganing, snowscoot, fatbike, yooner, airboard, freeriding, sled dogs and the giant zip line. Come and experience the winter in The Sancy!
Mountain biking and cycling in the volcanic area
The Massif du Sancy in the Auvergne is a volcanic and surprisingly varied region. Around Saint-Nectaire there are beautiful panoramic roads. There is an extensive network of mountain bike trails in the Sancy. For road bikes there are 210 climbs with height differences between 220 and 1600 meters. You also can choose an electrical mountain bike (VTT-électrique) to discover the Massif du Sancy, which can be rented in Murol (5 km. from Villa St. Hubert). Click here for more information. Check the following links for 20 best MTB trails in Puy-de-Dôme, the 20 best Road cycling routes in Puy-de-Dôme and the 20 best Bike touring routes in Puy-de-Dôme.
Ballooning & Paragliding
Admire the Sancy from above……
This is possible in the Auvergne! This can be done by hot air ballooning, skydiving or paragliding over the volcanoes and its beautiful landscapes. An unforgettable experience. A hot air balloon flight can be taken near Lac Chambon or the Puy-de-Dôme. Only fifteen minutes away from Villa St. Hubert, you can make your dreams come true. For more information, check the website of ‘Auvergne Montgolfière’ here: Ballooning
Fly above the Puy-de-Dôme and its volcanoes! Discover this unique experience with a tandem paragliding flight with a certified instructor. If you feel like experiencing new sensations and you’re looking for a thrill, to admire the superb panorama, to feel free as a bird… then take a look at: Tandem paragliding flight