Mandailles-Saint-Julien / Allanche La Grande Traversée du Volcan à vélo

Climbing to the Pas de Peyrol, a pass at the foot of Puy Mary’s summit

This stage is the longest (42.5km), most physically demanding on the route, with a steep climb to Pas de Peyrol, along the RD17 road, shared with motorized traffic. The route continues along a slope marked by descents to Collanges, before climbing again for 4.5km up to Fortuniès, finally ending with a descent to Allanche (at an altitude of 985m). Take care in summer on the stretch Mandailles / Dienne (including a fine descent to Dienne along the RD680 road). The portion between the two crossroads at Collanges and Fortuniès (1.3km) takes you along a busy portion of road, so, again, take care along this part, without special measures in place for cyclists.

Link to Les Veyrines Waterfall

Les Veyrines (off the cycle route, 5km from Allanche): take the RD679 road in the direction of Marcenat up to the crossroads with the RD21a road. The waterfall is located below the road.

Don’t miss:

• Puy Mary - Pas de Peyrol: the pass stands at an altitude of 1,588 m. From it, climb by foot to top of Puy Mary, its summit, at 1,787m, offering staggering 360° views. Given its exceptional grandeur, Puy Mary has been designated a Grand Site de France.
• Col de Serre: a pass with views over both the Cantal Mountains and the Sancy Range, plus the Santoire and Cheylade Valleys.
• Lavigerie, Dienne: views over the Santoire Valley and the tops of the Cantal Mountains.
• Collanges: a fine farm; the bridge over the Santoire; the old bread oven.
• Fortuniès: the hamlet and its beautiful architectural ensemble, with the church standing on its rocky outcrop facing the Puy Mary.
• Allanche: the village ramparts; the church built on an old basalt lava flow; the village houses with their stone slate roofs. Close by: Les Veyrines Waterfall