Looking at spending a week in the Massif Central in September.
Hoping to do 3 or so days bikepacking and a couple of days paddling.
Really interested in the Parc Naturel des Volcans area, as it looks stunning and reasonably quiet.
I’ve been trying to find a circular route, (minor roads/tracks/gravel) of about 100 to 150 miles. But most routes I’ve found (eg Komoot, Outdoor active etc) seem to be more technical mtb trails, shorter day trips or longer point to point routes.
Grateful for any route advice or links to online resources.
Or recommendations of other areas in the Massif Central that are worth considering. But appreciate that it’s a massive area.
Dont want to travel too far south as we only have a week.
Thanks.
Whereabouts are you staying?
You could start your research here: https://www.auvergne-sancy.com/see-and-do/outdoor-activities/the-massif-du-sancy-by-mountain-bike/
See also here: https://www.auvergne-sancy.com/exploring/all-destinations/super-besse/
Mont-Dore is a traditional town rather than a ski station so could make a good base.
Plenty of lakes in the area for paddling.
Bort-les-orgues could be a good base for your paddling - on the Dorgdogne.
This would be a good start:
https://bikepacking.com/routes/grand-traversee-du-massif-central-gtmc/
I did a tout around the biggest volcan around there recently. a bit over 200k and quite a lot of climbing all on roads mostly quiet ones. It doesn't go over puy Mary itself but you can add that if you feel brave.
Thanks for the replies.
We have a camper so flexible on where to stay.
Have looked at the GTMC but it’s point to point. But may use some of the start of that route and then improvise for the return to the start.
map and ^profile http://veloquercy.over-blog.com/2021/06/bientot-le-tour-du-plus-grand-volcan-d-europe.html I do have the gpx if you want 4500 meters of climbing over 220 km was a hard day.
Ive walked and cycled a bit in the area. Finding bivvy spots will not be easy i would have thought. Lots of good trails in the area
I was told by a friend who rode much of it a couple of years back that the GTMC is old-school XC MTB terrain rather than the gravel found on old military roads or similar.
Our rides in the area seemed to be road - old school MTB grassy or woodland - road.
There was some gravel - but it was car sat nav directing us down it while shuttling the canoes for the river!
Lovely part of the world.
https://www.letour.fr/en/heritage/stage-10/on-the-road
Saw mention of Roman Bardet's routes in the area, ok it's road not gravel but could be useful in researching potential areas and routing. I think the area looks fantastic, interested in going that way on my next tour in France.
Ive walked and cycled a bit in the area. Finding bivvy spots will not be easy i would have thought. Lots of good trails in the area
Thanks. This is useful.
Keen to bivi. Plus sounds like mostly road.
May need a re-think.
Lots of nice offroad available. Its the bivy spots I think will be difficult
Ah ok. Thanks for the clarification on the offroad tracks.
Why will bivying be difficult?
I read a blog on the GTMC where they bivvied the whole way.
Looks like plenty of forests where it might be possible to bivy, if they are not privately owned.
All of the bits i have been to are pretty busy and bivvying is actually not allowed particularly in national parks so it means finding somewhere to hide.
Can't say I've ever had any issues bivi-ing in a NP in France, or anywhere else there tbh. I just pitch up after 9, out by 7, wherever looks good as long as it's not fenced or gated land.
Looks + sounds great.
Thanks for the link. It does look amazing.
I’ve also bivied a few times in France previously without any issues, including a NP. Although that was in the Pyrenees far from any villages or towns.
I guess I am just spoiled by doing it so much in Scotland. Its not impossible but its not straightforward to bivy. Unfenced is key
Daft question of the day.
What is 'old school xc'?
Are we talking mtb off road but with wheels on the ground.
Discover France’s Massif Central — the Auvergne volcanoes loop | Bike Touring Collection by komoot
Thanks missed this one on Komoot. Bit longer than i was after but looks like it could be adapted by missing out the Eastern and Southern sections.
Daft question of the day.
What is ‘old school xc’?
Are we talking mtb off road but with wheels on the ground.
Trail riding before we had trail centres, Enduro and all that. A mixed bag, bit of farm track, a bit of rocky mountain path, some lanes, some natural singletrack etc. You're never sure what's next.
