Sur les chemins pour un tour de pays à VTT en Livradois-Forez

In Livradois-Forez, Regional natural park in Auvergne, you are invited to pedal on the paths during a mountain bike tour. A great adventure to live alone, as a couple or with friends.

Mountain biking marked trails Livradois-Forez

Because we know the roaming hike on foot, bag on your back and walking shoes on your feet. But the roaming mountain bike ride in Livradois-Forez, it's a perfect expedition for who wants to chain the kilometers on ssporty and varied integers, the weight of the bag less. You pedal on the roads, from small towns to small towns. Also taking advantage of the landscapes and viewpoints. And by staying in accommodation, welcomed by owners accustomed to cyclists on the main roads. Ready and ready to try a great mountain biking adventure in Livradois-Forez?

The nature of Livradois-Forez promises you a great mountain bike encounter. You are here in a preserved environment. Furthermore, in the heart of Auvergne, the green heart of Livradois-Forez is formed by two chains of ancient mountains: Livradois and Forez. They both spread out around the plain of Ambert and thus form an ideal playground for mountain bike enthusiasts.

An ideal playground for mountain bike enthusiasts in Livradois-Forez

Mountain bike trails in Livradois-Forez

From 400 to more than 1600 meters above sea level, you evolve here in a nature with medium mountain relief. For instance : the Hautes-Chaumes of Forez, the Livradois forest, the La Chaise-Dieu plateau and the Dore valley, the backbone of this park. Its riches of nature gathered before your eyes allow you to hike in roaming on paths that are sometimes very steep, sometimes very soothing. Many streams and small torrents also descend towards the Dore valley, bringing freshness to your route. And on your route, you also cross villages and large towns with a thousand little treasures of heritage. Get ready for a great mountain biking adventure in Livradois-Forez!

Mountain biking in Livradois-Forez: a sporty and complete hike

The diversity of the reliefs of Livradois-Forez and its many paths crossing it, the quality of the equipment and also, and above all, the warm welcome reserved for mountain bike lovers make this roaming hike a most unforgettable sports program. Therefore, this part of Auvergne is perfect for pedal adventurers and pedal adventurers. You will find here very varied conditions of practice. It is better to be a little physically prepared, but for that, we are counting on you.

Auvergne mountain biking activity livradois drill sports family outing

Wide, rolling forest paths, small narrow and rocky paths, lawns at altitude, beautiful descents, and of course, beautiful climbs: a very interesting and very educational course awaits you. Whether you're a super climber or a super climber, a downhill arrow or not, this mountain bike tour takes you and motivates you through 14 varied sections. Indeed, all practitioners, followers of physical routes and nature lovers can only be seduced and seduced by the beauty and richness of these landscapes.

The mountain bike tour in Livradois-Forez with 14 discovery sections

They are all here, gathered for you, so that you get to the heart of the matter. A complete tour then of 233 kilometers makes you discover the Livradois-Forez over 5 to 7 days in 14 sections. Traditionally, the Tour de pays à VTT starts in Aubusson d'Auvergne, in Four Winds FFCT Center. But it's up to you to start wherever you want on this loop that wraps around the Livradois-Forez.

From the Dore Valley to the Livradois mountains

- Section 1 “Dore Valley” : from Aubusson d'Auvergne to Olliergues via Courpière. 1 hour, 16.7 kilometers. D+: 487 meters. Easy.

A short section without any particular difficulty. You will then discover one of the most beautiful panoramas of Livradois-Forez. You see the Chaîne des Puys – Faille de Limagne, classified as a UNESCO heritage site, the puy de Dôme of course, as well as the Dore valley. A short warm-up before tackling a much sportier section. 

- Section 2 “Dore and the Livradois mountains” : from Olliergues to Gonteix via La Chapelle-Agnon. 1h30, 8.3 kilometers. D+: 457 meters. Very difficult.

Because this is one of the most difficult sections of the Tour de pays à VTT. You go up the current of the rivers on the Livradois side. The section is short but very steep. Also, technical and sporty passages require caution and skill. A long climb will probably put you in a sweat.

- Section 3 “Monts du Livradois” : from Gonteix to Saint-Éloy-la-Glacière via Saint-Amant-Roche-Savine. 1h30, 11.8 kilometers. D+: 382 meters. Easy.

The third section is more relaxing, after the climb to the peaks of the Livradois mountains. It then leads you to pleasant paths in the undergrowth. You discover the dense forest of this western part of the regional natural park in Auvergne.

- Section 4 “Haut-Livradois” : from Saint-Éloy-la-Glacière to La Croix-des-Sucs via Fournols. 30 minutes, 7.1 kilometers. D+: 81 meters. Easy.

Here you gently pass the Col de la Toutée. Also, you walk along the legendary site of the Pierres Folles.

A total change of scenery in the mountains of Livradois

- Section 5 “Livradois and cut countries” : from La Croix-des-Sucs to Vernet-Chameane via Aix-la-Fayette. 2 hours, 17.3 kilometers. D+: 279 meters. Difficult.

To begin with, this beginning of the stage is a happy transition between the Haut-Livradois with its wooded and fairly gentle reliefs and the “cut countries” at the extreme south of the regional natural park. You arrive here in a more agricultural area. And you admire beautiful views of the Allier valley as well as all the volcanic massifs of western Auvergne. The trails are nice and generally downhill.

- Section 6 “Livradois highlands” : from Vernet-Chaméane to Saint-Germain-l'Herm via Sainte-Catherine. 2 hours, 15.7 kilometers. D+: 478 meters. Easy.

Fairly easy, this section takes you through a landscape shaped by human activity and geological relief.

- Section 7 “Livradois highlands” : from Saint-Germain-l'Herm to Saint-Bonnet-le-Chastel via Saint-Bonnet-le-bourg. 1h30, 12.1 kilometers. D+: 183 meters. Easy.

You will follow a fairly quiet section here with some not very difficult climbs and pleasant descents under the trees. However, the more hilly course remains pleasant and easy. 

- Section 8 “Monts du Livradois” : from Saint-Bonnet-le-Chastel to La Chaise-Dieu via Saint-Alyre-d'Arlanc. 2h30, 18.4 kilometres. Hard.

In short, the difficulty of section 8 is based on a fairly high mileage and above all numerous descents and ascents, up to the plateau of La Chaise-Dieu. You are then on the Haut-Livradois. The climb to La Chaise-Dieu is particularly remarkable. Also, you have a breathtaking view of the abbey, the largest abbey in Europe. Take advantage of this stage to spend a few minutes in the town center of La Chaise-Dieu.

From the plateau of La Chaise-Dieu to the Forez mountains

- Section 9 “La Chaise-Dieu plateau” : from La Chaise-Dieu to Chomelix via Félines. 2h30, 18.2 kilometres. D+: 195 meters. Easy.

You then cross the Dorette valley to reach the Craponne plateau. The descent to Bonneval is beautiful and pleasant. However, the climb to Beaumont is very steep. A panorama in Beaumont makes you catch your breath.

- Section 10 “Craponne Plateau” : from Chomelix to Medeyrolles via Craponne-sur-Arzon. 3 hours, 23.7 kilometers. D+: 475 meters. Easy.

In other words, this stretch is nice and easy. You then start in the village of Chomelix to reach Craponne-sur-Arzon by taking the famous “Jules César path”.

- Section 11 “Monts du Forez” : from Medeyrolles to Les Pradeaux via Viverols. 2 hours, 19.1 kilometers. D+: 485 meters. Medium.

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sections of the Tour de pays à VTT. You thus leave the Craponne plateau to head towards the summit of the Forez mountains. You pass the Pradeaux pass and near the jasseries on the Hautes-Chaumes du Forez.

At altitude, on the Forez mountains

- Section 12 “Monts du Forez” : From Pradeaux to the Col des Supeyres via Saint-Anthème. 1h45, 14 kilometers. D+: 327 meters. Hard.

A beautiful route that introduces you to the Alps, to the east. Indeed, you are at the top of the Forez mountains. The climb to the Col des Supeyres is quite easy and pleasant.

- Section 13 “Crêtes du Forez”: from the Supeyres pass to the Béal pass via Chalmazel-Jeansagnière. 1 hour, 13.5 kilometers. D+: 330 meters. Easy.

It is “the most grandiose passage of this Tour de pays du Livradois-Forez” according to the pedaling adventurers, who have passed before you. Because you pass in the immediate vicinity of the highest point of Livradois-Forez: Pierre-sur-Haute at 1634 meters above sea level. A 360° panorama then extends under your feet. The Livradois-Forez Regional Nature Park, the Alps, Sancy and the Chaîne des Puys – Limagne Fault. To conclude, the descent to the Col du Béal is very refreshing.

- Section 14 “Mounts of Forez and Piedmont Forézien” : from Col du Béal to Aubusson d'Auvergne via Vollore-Montagne. 3h30, 37.3 kilometers. D+: 476 meters. Easy.

Even though this last stretch saves a lot of miles, it is quite easy. However, you cycle on the crests of the Monts du Forez, passing by the Col de la Loge and under the Pic Pelé. Before a well-deserved rest at Four Winds FFCT Center.

Four Winds FFCT Center.

To note :

Six other sheets offer shorter itineraries of 2 to 5 days.

A topoguide brings together the 234 km tour in 5 to 7 days as well as 8 variants of 2 to 5 days, it is sold for 15 €. Usable all year round depending on weather conditions.

So, ready for the mountain bike adventure in Livradois-Forez?