Puy de Paugnat, Dormant volcano in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Puy de Paugnat is a dormant volcano in Puy-de-Dôme that reaches 898 meters, with steep slopes covered by forest on most sides. Its northeastern face, however, remains more open and exposed, revealing the volcanic rock beneath.
This volcano was born from eruptions millions of years ago and shaped itself into a cone of volcanic material. In recent times, it served as a quarry until mining operations halted in 2001.
The mountain sits near several villages where farming and cheese-making shape how people live and work in the surrounding areas.
Hikers can access the volcano through several routes, including a variation of the GR441 long-distance trail on the eastern side, which offers clear marking. Proper footwear is wise since the slopes demand steady footing depending on your chosen path.
The volcano is made of pozzolan, a lightweight volcanic rock that can be found nowhere else in quite the same way. Visitors can still observe the marks left from centuries of human interaction with this geological formation.
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