GTMC-VTT – Stage 12 – Clermont-Fd > Volvic

From Clermont-Ferrand, the historic departure point for the GTMC mountain bike race, you gradually gain altitude as you head towards the Chaîne des Puys and its 80 volcanoes. Under the gaze of the impressive Puy de Dôme, you’ll discover a variety of landscapes, from a 2,000-year-old town to sunny hillsides(…)

From Clermont-Ferrand, the historic departure point for the GTMC mountain bike race, you gradually gain altitude as you head towards the Chaîne des Puys and its 80 volcanoes. Under the gaze of the impressive Puy de Dôme, you’ll discover a variety of landscapes, from a 2,000-year-old town to sunny hillsides planted with fruit trees and vines.

The route ends in chestnut woods and volcanic cheires, with their chaotic vegetation and morphology. All along the way, the mountain biker’s attention is irresistibly drawn to the volcanoes. Volvic, famous for its water and volcanic stone, is the finishing point of this stage.

Departure is from Clermont Ferrand railway station. We climb gently up to Place Delille, which we cross before plunging down in front of a large secondary school to follow a long straight line. From set of traffic lights to set of traffic lights, the MTB GTMC takes us to the tarmac slope leading to the Col de Bancillon (alt. 551m).
A short but steep descent on a farm track takes us to the Blanzat sports complex.

We have to find a passageway to cross it and then climb back up to Blanzat on tarmac. Superb trails through fruit groves and meadows to the village of Malauzat.

From Malauzat, we climb through a chestnut grove that takes us right up close to the Chaîne des Puys. Playful, relatively easy trails.