Newbie or old hand, it’s time to saddle up! Whether you’re out for a freewheeling family ride or want to hit the volcano trails, the best way to explore the breathtaking countryside here is on two wheels. Road racer, mountain bike or e-bike to take the strain, there’s cycling to suit everyone, with plenty of fun and thrills along the way.
You can choose from fifteen-or-so lowland and mountainside MTB trails around Puy de Dôme. These clearly waymarked routes are your passport to discovering the unspoilt countryside all around you!
Circuit aux portes de Riom - Entre pierre et eau (boucle n°2)
Crédit : Office de Tourisme Riom Limagne et Volcans
Entre les plateaux des Combrailles, la Chaîne des Puys et la plaine de la Limagne, ce territoire est un véritable trésor : l'eau et à la pierre se déclinent sous toutes leurs formes (architecture, sculpture, fontaines et sources...).
Ce circuit "Aux portes de Riom" vous entrainera de Mozac et son abbaye cistercienne vers Châtel-Guyon, ville thermale riche de 12 sources.
Puis vous traverserez Gimeaux avec ses sources pétrifiantes pour atteindre Combronde, un village vigneron.
Enfin lors de la dernière partie du circuit, vous rencontrerez les premières difficultés avec la côte des Ballages avant d'arriver au gour de Tazenat, un lac volcanique naturel exceptionnel.
Environ 3 h pour une vitesse moyenne de 20 km/h.
Informations complémentaires
Compléments d'accueil
Pour votre sécurité, vérifier l’état de marche de votre vélo (pneus / freins) et prendre le nécessaire de réparation, prendre un ravitaillement (eau et nourriture), favoriser un petit développement et pédaler en souplesse.
1/ Ce circuit "Aux portes de Riom" vous entrainera de Mozac et son abbaye cistercienne vers Châtel-Guyon, ville thermale riche de 12 sources.
2/ Puis vous traverserez Gimeaux avec ses sources pétrifiantes pour atteindre Combronde, un village vigneron.
3/ Enfin lors de la dernière partie du circuit, vous rencontrerez les premières difficultés avec la côte des Ballages avant d'arriver au gour de Tazenat, un lac volcanique naturel exceptionnel.
Environ 3 h pour une vitesse moyenne de 20 km/h.
Conseils et suggestions
- L'Abbaye de Mozac.
- La ville thermale de Châtel-Guyon.
- Les sources pétrifiantes de Gimeaux.
- Le village vigneron de Combronde.
- Le gour de Tazenat (lac volcanique).
The Limagne Plain, dotted with modest hills and winding riverside routes, is the perfect place for pottering by bike. So, if you’re planning a trip out with all the family, or simply looking for a ride without too many hills, this is the bit of Terra Volcana for you…
Keeping to the quiet back roads gives you the opportunity to stop off in quaint historical villages along the way, from Maringues with its tanneries to the Royal Estate at Randan, and not forgetting Aigueperse (for delicious pralines) and the spa town of Châtel-Guyon.
Cycling is not only good exercise, it’s also a great way to explore the region’s wealth of cultural interest. Biking around Puy de Dôme, you’ll discover a host of local arts and crafts, with all sorts of tours and visits on offer – so don’t be afraid to follow your nose and make your own discoveries. From artisan goods to fine food, there’s something for every taste.
Prefer an aerial view of the lowlands from the saddle? Try a mountain bike route like the Tour de Chaumont, where you’ll struggle to keep your eyes off the views and on the trail in front of you! More in the mood for some positive waves? Ride a riverside MTB trail like the Morge route, or a lakeside run like the Pulvérières trail, stopping off for a refreshing swim along the way.
Whatever route you choose, biking in Puy de Dôme offers a huge variety of landscapes, from farmer’s fields to countryside of every hue. And even better, you’ll make some amazing cultural discoveries along the way in Terra Volcana!
Taking on the volcano trails
Are you looking for more of a challenge in the saddle? Not daunted by the prospect of taking on the steep slopes of the Chaîne des Puys, a UNESCO World Heritage site? Our MTB circuits around Puy de Dôme are highly prized by bikers who like to push themselves to the limit, taking on the might of the volcanoes!
And if you’ve always wanted to tackle a legendary long-distance MTB route, the Grande Traversée du Massif Central (GTMC) is for you! Stages 14, 15 and 16 run through Terra Volcana, offering incredible panoramas of this UNESCO World Heritage region!
From Volvic, you can strike out to conquer the Puy de la Nugère, the volcano that gives us the famous Volvic stone (trachyandesite). En route, you ride through the Volvic Quarries and Caves Nature Reserve, home to hundreds of species of bats.
It’s a tremendous opportunity to combine a biking challenge with recharging your batteries in unique surroundings.
And the icing on the cake? Our local MTB leaders can guide you around the best of the trails. Why not ask them to put together your very own tailor-made ride through volcano country?
Or perhaps you’re after a more accessible Puy de Dôme mountain biking experience? In that case, the forest trails of the Bruyères circuit fit the bill. This pleasant woodland route provides a gentler introduction to mountain biking in volcano country, preparing you to take on the tougher trails.
And there are a host of other options for riding the volcanoes in Terra Volcana… so what are you waiting for? On your bike!
Why go mountain biking in puy de dôme?
Not sure about setting off in the saddle? Need a little more persuading it’s the right option for you? Here are just some of the reasons why you should go for it.
On a bike, you can get to viewpoints that are inaccessible by car for example. You’ll be completely immersed in nature, in the wilds of volcano country.
Who else do you know who can say they spent their holiday climbing volcanoes?
The more mountain biking you do in Puy de Dôme, the better you’ll get. And the more you use your muscles, the more you’ll tone up your whole body ! And you’ll head for home feeling fit as a fiddle.
Are you always thinking you should shed a few pounds? Did you know that mountain biking uses absolutely all your muscles – legs, arms, back, glutes, abdominals, pecs? By the end of your holiday, not only will you be fitter, you’ll be slimmer too! And don’t worry, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced biker, you’ll love it! Simply choose the Puy de Dôme MTB trails that are right for your ability level.
So, whether you’re happier pottering in the lowlands or hitting the volcano trails, these two complementary areas offer a huge choice of MTB circuits through Terra Volcana, in Puy de Dôme.
You can bet there are some unforgettable biking experiences in store!
