Lac Chambon is a volcanic dam lake region situated in the heart of France's Auvergne volcanoes, characterized by its unique geological history and diverse landscapes. The area's terrain features prominent volcanic peaks, lush forests, and the lake itself, which was formed by ancient lava flows. This varied environment provides a natural setting for several outdoor sports like touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
The Lac Chambon region offers a wide array…
165
Routes
4.5
(1676)
Average rating
14610
People visited

4.7
(207)
859
hikers
7.27km
02:11
220m
220m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(303)
2,195
hikers
10.8km
04:03
640m
630m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.5
(76)
613
hikers
11.8km
04:24
630m
630m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(118)
714
hikers
12.0km
03:36
380m
380m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(22)
401
riders
34.4km
02:45
950m
950m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
40
riders
7.00km
00:35
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
20
riders
10.1km
00:48
200m
200m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(11)
244
riders
82.3km
05:54
1,760m
1,760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(21)
115
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.9
(14)
67
riders
41.5km
03:30
900m
900m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(11)
97
riders
19.6km
01:39
460m
460m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(6)
32
riders
17.0km
01:34
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(4)
110
runners
7.25km
00:56
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(10)
241
runners
13.0km
01:34
370m
370m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

50
runners
32.0km
04:08
1,170m
1,170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

39
runners
35.8km
04:52
1,480m
1,480m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.5
(4)
230
riders
26.3km
01:24
480m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.4
(18)
516
riders
54.6km
02:45
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.7
(3)
125
riders
101km
05:20
1,890m
1,890m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(5)
116
riders
83.2km
04:15
1,410m
1,410m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.0
(2)
19
riders
49.8km
03:48
970m
960m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
8
riders
30.0km
02:28
790m
790m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
61.3km
04:36
1,610m
1,610m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
11
riders
23.2km
01:46
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(4)
19
hikers
8.04km
03:00
510m
510m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
9
hikers
5.08km
02:03
400m
400m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
9
hikers
11.0km
04:23
580m
580m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

8
hikers
6.52km
02:37
510m
510m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Lac Chambon offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including Touring cycling, Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, Mountaineering, and Gravel biking. The region features routes suitable for various skill levels amidst volcanic landscapes. The lake itself also supports water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking.
More than 167,000 visitors have explored routes in Lac Chambon. The routes have an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars from over 16,000 ratings. This indicates a highly regarded outdoor destination within the komoot community.
Yes, a dedicated "Voie Verte" (greenway) forms a double loop around Lac Chambon, connecting Chambon-sur-Lac and Murol. This accessible path is suitable for beginners and families, offering lake views. Further details are available in the Cycling around Lac Chambon guide.
Road cyclists can tackle legendary passes such as the Col de la Croix Saint-Robert and the Col de la Croix Morand. These routes offer panoramic views of the Sancy Massif and wild, scenic landscapes. Consult the Road Cycling Routes around Lac Chambon guide for more options.
Mountain biking is popular in Lac Chambon, with numerous circuits available around the lake and through surrounding forests. The Sancy Explorer application provides marked trails for cyclists. For specific routes, refer to the MTB Trails around Lac Chambon guide.
Hiking trails range from an accessible 2.5-mile (4 km) path circling the lake to more challenging treks. Longer hikes lead to waterfalls, streams, and volcanic peaks like Puy de Sancy. The Hiking around Lac Chambon guide provides detailed information.
Yes, an accessible trail approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) long circles Lac Chambon, passing through forests and reed beds. This path includes wooden pontoons over wetland areas, making it suitable for easy strolls. The Easy hikes around Lac Chambon guide offers more options.
The region is defined by its volcanic origin, featuring prominent volcanic peaks such as Puy de Sancy, Puy de la Tâche, and Puy de l'Angle. The Chaudefour Valley National Nature Reserve showcases sharp rock faces and glacial history. Lac Chambon itself is a volcanic dam lake with Blue Flag beaches.
Komoot offers several guides for Lac Chambon, including Cycling around Lac Chambon, Hiking around Lac Chambon, and MTB Trails around Lac Chambon. Additional guides cover road cycling, easy hikes, running, waterfall hikes, mountain hikes, and gravel biking.
Information for the Lac Chambon region is available through the Massif du Sancy tourism portal, Sancy.com. The contact number for Chambon-sur-Lac Tourist Information is +33 (0)4 73 88 61 21.
Yes, the Lac Chambon region offers routes suitable for jogging and running. The accessible path around the lake provides a scenic option for runners. More specific routes can be found in the Running Trails around Lac Chambon guide.
The highest point in the Massif Central, which includes the Lac Chambon region, is Puy de Sancy. It reaches an elevation of 6,188 feet (1,886 meters), offering extensive panoramas of the Auvergne region.

