Your email will not be communicated to any third party or company outside France Bike Trips / Velorizons. You may receive occasional emails from France Bike Trips, with the possibility to unsubscribe at any time. CNIL (French National Commission for Data Protection and Liberties)
Please type in your search terms.
You can prefix chosen words with the '+' sign to make them mandatory, or with the '-' sign to avoid results containing this word from appearing, e.g. west +nepal -canada
A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
Would you like another Volcano*? Backroad cycling in the Auvergne serves up a succession of impressive volcanoes. Beginning with the Chaîne des Puys, the "youngsters", with their many smooth tracks that snake their way between the volcanoes. Then comes the more mountainous atmosphere of the Puy du Sancy, older and larger, with their tapered ridges covered with soft green grass. The tour then heads south to the huge Cantal Volcano. Wide open spaces, spectacular views and rolling hills are the order of the day on this Auvergne volcano tour. * Volcano: an aperitif drink made from gentian and chestnuts, served in the south of the Cantal.
Itinerary start: France Bike Trips services begin on day 1 at 1pm at the SNCF railway station in Volvic.
On request we can book the previous night's accommodation for you in Volvic.
After a short transfer by train from Clermont Ferrand to Volvic we start our journey. The first volcanoes waited on hand and foot appear while we are slaloming between the projection cones at the north of Mount Pariou. The hike up to Pariou is worth while. We then move to the eastern side of the Domes chain in order to bypass the great Puy de Dome, which is impressive indeed. Crossing the Moreno Pass and we arrive at Laschamps. In this rural and tourist village, at the foot of the Puy de Dome, will find our accommodation for the night.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 25 km / 600 m
Still heading south along the last young Puys and we begin to approach one of the larger volcanic edifice, the Sancy. We will cycle by the open craters of La Vache and Lassolas, with a possible break at the house of the Regional Natural Park of Auvergne Volcanoes. After a detour along the lake Aydat, we get along Montenard, one of the last puys of the chain. We will then discover the village of Murol, after a nice downhill. Option to go to Lake Chambon. Night in Murol.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 45 km / 700 m
Obviously, to leave Murol we have to cycle up. But soon enough, the wood of Courbanges gives us the way to the medieval town of Besse. Here, narrow paved streets invite us to saunter. A very interesting ski museum can also justify a big break. Then we head in the direction of the crater lakes of Pavin and Montcineyre in order to leave the Sancy Massif and approach a new type of relief: the basalt plateau of Cézallier. To get introduced to this relief, nothing more natural than to start from the villages of Brion and Godivelle. Like the plateau, these villages are almost empty but release an incredible charm, where man coalesces with nature. Night at Godivelle.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 45 km / 950 m
In the way the crossing of "Mongolian" Auvergne. Few changes in altitude, but space, plenty of space, and cows grazing peacefully in their paddocks. After passing by the Lac d'en Haut and Lac d'en Bas we change the department but not the setting. We cross the highest commune of Cantal, Montgreleix at 1250m (less than 10 people). Possible hike the summit of Mount Chamaroux, probably one of the best views in Auvergne, since we are just between the two volcanoes Sancy and Cantal... which one to choose? We leave the pass of Chamaroux. Passing through the hamlets of great loneliness, but of great beauty, we then finally come to Allanche, a place where human beings have managed to settle. Discovery of the old village with its ramparts and its medieval church. Overnight in Allanche.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 40 km / 600 m
This step brings us in the middle of the volcanic giant Cantal. After last few pedal strokes we reach Landeyrat and its train station built mainly for cows (not a joke!). We leave the Cézallier to descend into the valley of Santoire. We leave it then immediately to find the plateau of Limon, located just north of the great volcano of Cantal. It is finally through the valley of the Rhue that we will enter this mountain chain. We will only have to cycle up a small hill to have a great view and of course to get to our little cosy nest for the night: Lavigerie. Night en tête-à-tête with the mountains.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 48 km / 885 m
We cycle down the valley of Santoire to reach a new plateau, that of Pinhatèle. As its name suggests, is a wooded plateau, as unusual. We cross pastures planted with Scots pines and reach the villages of Boissonnière, Chalinargues and rest on the shores of Pecher Lake, true haven of peace. Beautiful view, museum of Landscape Interpretation, small chapel on a headland, many good reasons to take a break and discover. Finally, we cycle down to Murat, where we arrive through the medieval old town. Night at Murat.
Distance and altitude gain: approx. 38 km / 530 m
Itinerary end: France Bike Trips services end in Murat at around 4 pm.
Two options for returning to Volvic from Murat:
On request we can book the following night's accommodation for you in Murat or Clermont Ferrand.
Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.
This tour has not yet received any reviews.
