Puy des Goules, Extinct volcano in Orcines, France
Puy des Goules is an extinct volcano with a regular crater measuring roughly 200 meters across and about 40 meters deep. The eastern slopes show red scoria from past eruptions, while dense hazel and beech forests cover the crater's interior.
This volcano experienced its final eruption roughly 30,000 years ago and played a key role in forming the Chaîne des Puys in the Massif Central. This activity shaped the geological character of this French mountain region alongside other volcanoes in the chain.
The name comes from the Occitan word 'gaula' meaning cave, referring to volcanic cavities beneath the summit. Visitors notice how open meadows and wooded slopes blend together across the hillside.
Multiple hiking trails lead to the summit, where visitors can take in views of the crater and surrounding landscapes. The routes are accessible on foot, with varying difficulty levels for different abilities.
The slopes display a distinctive checkerboard pattern of small wooded plots created by land division among numerous local property owners. This pattern shapes the hillside's appearance and reflects the region's land use history.
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