Discover Puy-de-Dôme with your dog
What to do in Puy-de-Dôme with your dog? Where to hike with your dog? Here are all our tips and tricks for a dog-friendly stay in the Massif Central.
Hello Wouafer's!
Today, direction Auvergne and more precisely Puy-de-Dôme with our Dog'Reporters Sophie and her dog Ottary who will be our guides for this article. Located close to Lyon and nestled between Clermont-Ferrand, Vichy and Montluçon, you can discover the natural beauty of Puy-de-Dôme through many hikes and walks with your pet.
Summary
Without further ado, I leave the floor to Sophie and Ottary to tell us about their stay in the heart of Puy-de-Dôme!
A strong need to get some fresh air to do good to morale was felt in our house running april. On a whim, we decide to leave on two conditions:
1 – Less than 3 hours drive
2 – Discover a new destination!
This is what led us to Auvergne , and more specifically, to the Puy-de-Dôme region . Even though we have physically demanding jobs and regularly go for long walks in our daily lives, we're more used to flat terrain and had no preparation for tackling hills. So if we did it, anyone can!
Where to stay in Puy-de-Dôme with your dog?
We arrived at the Auberge de Mazaye on Friday evening for two super comfortable nights. They accept dogs for an extra €10, but it's worth it! We received cuddles as soon as we arrived, and at breakfast, the young woman who greets us in Ottary in the morning was lovely: everything was perfect!
In the evening, the waiters were exceptional and Madame Ottary made herself comfortable in the middle of the tables and we were told “no, no, she’s not in the way”.
They almost had to step over it to get through! We were still seated so that we weren't too surrounded, but in the end, all the customers that evening attracted Ottary's attention. If we hadn't held her, she would have gone around the tables without disturbing the staff! At the end of the meal, we left with a doggy bag without having to ask “but it’s for her, right?” ". In this case, the doggy bag lived up to its name!
A huge thank you to this hostel for the welcome "like at home", the nights, the warm service, the hearty and delicious meal, we will come back with great pleasure.
Find QUALIDOG-certified accommodations in Puy-de-Dôme for holidays with your dog!
Musher's seasonal advice
Where to hike in Puy-de-Dôme with your dog?
The very next morning, we set off with our dog on the Puy de la Vache hike . I thought it would be my least favorite, which is why we started with it. But wow! A Californian-like landscape with a breathtaking view... It's a truly unique hike to experience with your dog.
To reach Puy de la Vache , we started by climbing Puy de Lassolas and then descended via the steps of Puy de la Vache . The whole loop is 4,2km with an elevation gain of 220m. It's advertised as taking 2 hours, but between photo stops and enjoying the scenery, we took our time and it probably took us 2 hours and 20 minutes. You can also do a direct out-and-back hike via the steps to reach the summit of Puy de la Vache and then descend. In short: I really, really want to go back!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: - "Better to be well prepared to climb the stairs of Puy de la Vache with your dog! The steps are about 50cm high which promises a great workout and can be difficult to climb for small dogs or dogs with bone / joint problems."
In the afternoon, we went to Puy du Pariou , a 5,6km loop with an elevation gain of 250m, taking 2.5 hours. I found it much less strenuous than the Puy de la Vache hike , but much less beautiful and scenic.
Very important information that I did not read anywhere when I inquired about this hike: there is a shooting range right between the starting path of the hike and the arrival path (it forms a V in fat) !
When we arrived at the parking lot, we heard shooting in the forest of the valley of the volcano, Ottary put herself in a state of stress… Panting and shaking, she was crying and shooting in the opposite direction. We were very, very hesitant to go there anyway, especially since it was raining, but the goal of this hike was to be able to descend into the crater of the volcano! So, we still tried the experiment, to finally see that the crater was in closed access. I could not give you the reason for this closure. But without rain, without crazy wind and above all, without shooting, I think we would have enjoyed this hike much more!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: - "Many dogs are afraid of loud, startling noises. They don't have the same understanding and apprehension of the world around them as we do, so they don't always understand that these noises don't put them in imminent danger. It is often seen on fireworks nights. Many dogs seek to escape from their garden or hide in the smallest dark corner of the house for shelter. Remember never to leave your dog alone in the garden on New Year's Eve, national holidays, sporting events... Out of fear and panic, he could try to escape by all means by digging or climbing the fences and to put yourself in danger."
Sunday morning, we went on the famous and legendary hike up the Puy-de-Dôme volcano, taking the muleteers' trail. This trail is a real highway! We arrived early, at 9:15 am, and luckily so, because as we lingered at the summit, we saw the crowds increasing (arrival via the little train, which is dog-friendly!), and on our way back down, the trail was absolutely packed (hikers, runners, dogs, children, school groups, and summer camps...). And yet, this hike is advertised as difficult (and it was, we were exhausted). It's 5 km long with an elevation gain of 420 m, which takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. The trail is full of switchbacks, with 15 turns in total, and I can tell you that I was counting down the days, thinking, "Phew, we're almost there!"
Tips from Musher and Sophie: - "To go hiking with your dog, the choice of his equipment is just as important as the choice of your shoes or your backpack to be comfortable and optimal! THE classic harness ou traction is a flagship accessory for hiking, trekking or canicross for its versatility, comfort and safety! You can also consult our traction harness comparison to help you choose the most suitable equipment for your dog!”
However, you quickly forget the pain of the climb when you look at the horizon at every turn. The higher you go, the more breathtaking it becomes! You even end up seeing Mont Blanc touch the clouds—it's exceptional! Once at the top, there are quite a few amenities available, and I was very impressed to see everything there: restrooms, a restaurant, a shop, a train station… And there's also a free eco-museum about the Temple of Mercury , the temple of the vagabonds. Currently being renovated, the eco-museum shows you what it has been through, and best of all, dogs are welcome for free!
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – “For lovers of fine wines, between your hikes, I recommend visiting the Sauvat WineryIn Boudes, your dog is welcome to discover the vineyard 🍇 and wines 🍷 of the estate. It has even obtained its QUALIDOG label because it is fully committed to ensuring your dog enjoys the experience as much as you do!"
Before leaving Puy-de-Dôme for good , we wanted to eat locally one last time, but on a Sunday at lunchtime, with a dog… And finally: the restaurant L' Oustagou in Clermont-Ferrand told us: "Of course we accept dogs," thank you! We did indeed end up with two dogs at a separate table, luckily our dogs are pretty well-behaved! The waiters were very affectionate towards Ottary, instinctively brought him a bowl of water, and the food was absolutely top-notch!
We extended the enjoyment of our weekend in the Auvergne region with our dog. To aid digestion, we found a short hike, the Cascade de l'Ecureuil (Squirrel Waterfall) , an easy walk with a pretty waterfall that, like many waterfalls, has a magical, fairytale-like quality. The trail follows the river almost the entire way, staying in the undergrowth. In summer, it must be a fantastic walk, and it was perfect for ending our trip without overexerting ourselves. But we realized that the loop ended through the village much too late... And we came across something rotting, which Ottary gleefully rolled around in. Let's just say it was his little bit of fun to end the weekend... If we had just done the out-and-back hike between the waterfall and the parking lot, we wouldn't have had to drive with the windows open for three hours!
And so ends Sophie and Ottary's stay in the Puy-de-Dôme . I don't know about you, but it's definitely made me want to go there for a little weekend getaway with Musher. Of course, younger, fitter dogs will feel more at home than my dog, who's starting to get a few white hairs around her nose, but without having to climb any mountains, there are still plenty of lovely paths and trails to explore in the Auvergne with your pet without getting too exhausted!
In short, Auvergne is a super dog-friendly destination to discover with your dog!
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Ready to discover Puy-de-Dôme? Did this article make you want to organize a stay in Auvergne with your dog? Prepare your holidays serenely by clicking on the following links:
Read also
How to go to Puy-de-Dôme with your dog?
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