| Fit and serious walkers may want to conquer the Puy de Sancy, a six-hour hike south of La Bourboule on the GR30–41, passing after about two hours the two fine waterfalls of the Cascade de la Vernière and Plat à Barbe – themselves a satisfying destination. An easier walk out of La Bourboule is to the summit of the Banne d'Ordanche (1500m): pick up the GR path to the east of the town where it crosses the D130 road and the train line, then take the signposted GR41 where it diverges from the GR30. During winter months, both Le Mont-Dore and La Bourboule double as ski resorts – centres of a ski-de-fond (cross-country) network of circular pistes, some over 20km long. Skiable paths also connect La Bourboule to other ski centres in the locality – Sancy, Besse, Chastreix and Picherande. Downhill skiing is possible, too, on the Puy de Sancy.
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