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Massiac / Sainte-Florine La Grande Traversée du Volcan à vélo
Mountains
27,51 Km
1 h 50 min
I cycle often
27,51 km cycling route from Massiac to Sainte-Florine
The Grande Traversée du Volcan à Vélo leads you through a series of hills demarcating Les Pays Coupés area. Entering the département (French county) of Haute-Loire, you pass close to splendid villages, such as Blesle, a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and Léotoing overseen by its medieval castle. After Lempdes-sur-Allagnon, you arrive in the flatter plain, the way leading you to Sainte-Florine. Neighbouring Brassac-les-Mines is a town just across the border in the département of Puy-de-Dôme, its name reflecting the mining history in this area. Brassac stands at the junction with the Via Allier (V70) cycle route, which can offer further inspiration to cyclists in search of majestic natural spaces to explore by bike!
Elevation of the stage
156 m 55 m
Waytypes of the stage
By road: 27,51 km
Surface of the stage
Smooth: 27,51 km
The GT2V à Vélo, from the Lot Valley to the border with Cantal
This 28km-long stage along roads shared with motorized traffic doesn’t present any particular difficulties. Nevertheless, in the summer season, the way becomes more touristy, so do take care. Note that around the urban areas of Lempdes-sur-Allagnon, Sainte-Florine and Brassac-les-Mines you are likely to encounter more traffic, so pay attention. In addition, around the Carrière de Promeyrat, a quarry, there can be lorry traffic at times, so bear that in mind.
Link to the Via Allier (V70)
À Sainte-Florine, une connexion directe avec la Via Allier.
Gares SNCF
- Massiac-Blesle train station
- Brassac-les-Mines-Sainte-Florine train station
Don't miss
- Blesle: a member of the association, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (just 2km from the cycle route), Blesle is a village full of character thanks to its stone and timberframe buildings, a delight to behold. The place stands in the heart of the Allagnon Valley, on the border of the Haute-Loire and Cantal départements, or French counties. It was thanks to the foundation of a Benedictine abbey here in the 9th century that the community developed. As to the fort built for the Barons of Mercoeur, just the keep, some towers and vestiges of the surrounding wall remain. Timberframe houses and carved doorways also recall medieval times. The gorgeous Romanesque abbey church is a listed historic monument.
- Léotoing: a mere 2km from the cycle route, this enchanting little medieval village in the Haute-Loire is a delight to explore on foot, seeking out its rich heritage. An historic fort looks down on the Allagnon River from its perch 150m up. It belonged to the aristocratic Dauphins d'Auvergne. Today, just a few significant vestiges remain from the 15th century. The place is now in private hands, but don’t miss this medieval castle, the grounds open year-round, enabling you to enjoy splendid views down on the Allagnon Gorges and wider Cézallier area.
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