Clermont-Ferrand / Volvic

Historic Clermont-Ferrand was formerly the starting point for the original GTMC mountain bike route. From town, you head gradually up to the Chaîne des Puys Range, distinguished by its 80 volcanoes and dominated by the largest, the massively impressive Puy de Dôme. Admire the exceptionally varied landscapes below the Puy de Dôme, going from the 2,000-year-old city to sunny slopes planted with vines and fruit trees. This stage ends amidst chestnut woods and ancient volcanic flows, which have given rise to distinctive vegetation and architecture. Cycling in these parts, your gaze will be irresistibly drawn to the volcanoes. The stage ends at the little town of Volvic, famed for its mineral water naturally filtered through volcanic rock.

From Clermont-Ferrand (back in the day the original starting point for the GTMC à VTT), you climb gradually, heading towards the Chaîne des Puys, a mountain range consisting of some 80 volcanoes.
Below the dominating presence of the tallest crater, the Puy de Dôme, the landscapes prove extremely varied. You ride out from a city boasting 2,000 years of history to often sunny slopes planted with fruit orchards and vines.
This stage ends in chestnut woods and among ancient lava flows where both vegetation and architecture have a very distinctive local look.
All along the way, your gaze is irresistibly drawn to the spectacular line of volcano tops. The stage ends at the little town of Volvic, built from volcanic stone and renowned for its mineral water.