Day 6 Aubusson – Le Mont Dore 60 miles
Garmin file: https://connect.garmin.com/course/8281631 Elevation Gain: estimated 1735m
Overview
We will leave Aubusson and cycle into hilly country and have a nice long gradual climb through the woods for starters. The area we are cycling into is a hilly area but the route we have carefully chosen (or chanced upon, take your pick) takes you high up without you really noticing it, cough. A lovely days cycle through picturesque countryside is finished with your arrival at the Spa town of Le Mont Dore where you have the option of a massage and all the usual spa facilities.
Practical Notes
The morning starts with a long but very gradual climb.
There are no public toilets in the morning.
Most of the day is spent cycling through lovely forested hills.
Giat is a small town with many amenities (after 24 miles)
There is a long hard climb towards the end of the day.
Map
Elevation Profile
Start Point
In the car park at the rear of La Beauze at 8.45.
Lunch – 29 miles Restaurant Verneugheol, Le Bourg, 63470, Vernegheol – 0473214330
Evening meal – There are a good selection of restaurants in Le Mont Dore
Route Notes
Miles Route
0 From the brief point behind Hotel Le Beauze, go up the short steep drive and go L on the road, taking care for traffic. At the r-bout in the centre of Aubusson go straight over along the D941 to Clermont Ferrand. The road away from Aubusson is quite fast for the first mile.
1.0 Turn off to the R to Felletin 9 and Ussel 57.
2.1 Turn L along the D18 to Pontcharraud 15.
3.2 When you come to a crossroad continue straight ahead to Pontcharraud 13 along the D18.
This is the start of a long gradual climb. Stay on the most obvious road to Pontcharraud.
11.4 When you get to Pontcharraud you will come to a cenotaph. Go L. After approx. 80m turn R along the D21 to Giat 23. Stay on the D21 on the most obvious road to Giat.
Stay on the undulating D21 to Giat.
18.3 When you come to a T-jcn with the D29 go L to Crocq & Giat.
18.5 Turn R at the sign for Giat & Flayat along the D21.
18.7 Turn R along the D996 to Flayat 6 & Giat 11.
19.4 Cycle through Lepinas then go L along the D21 to Giat 7.
22.4 Pass through Fernoel & meet with the D204. Go R here to Giat 3.
The municipal camping toilets on the way out of Fernoel may well be open.
24.2 Cycle into Giat and you will come to a fork in the road. Go R to Herment & La Courtine. After 100m go L along the D204 to Verneugheol 8 & Herment 11.
Follow this road round to the L, just before the Post Office on your R are some public toilets.
29.0 When you come into Verneugheol continue through the village and look out for Restaurant Verneugheol on your R where we will stop for lunch.
After lunch carry on for a few hundred metres then go R to Eygurande along the D568.
29.6 Go L to St Germain Pres H 4 along the D98. Stay on this road to St Germain & Farges.
Follow signs for Lastic. Continue on the D98 to Lastic.
33.9 Follow the road round into Lastic then go L at the sign for Herment & Bourg-Lastic.
You will come to a jcn with the D987 by a statue of a soldier. Go L to Herment then immediate R to Marie.
34.1 At the T-jcn go R along the D604.
35.3 When you come to a T-jcn at the D82. Go R to Briffons 7.
There is a climb and then a descent into Briffons, be careful on the descent as there a few big potholes in the road.
39.0 Continue through Briffons.
40.1 The road descends then rises, look out for the L turn to Gare de BOURGEADE 7 along the D606.
41.9 You will meet with another road. Go R to Rouchefort-mgne 12 along the D11.
A bit further along this road follow the sign round to the R to Rouchefort 8 continuing along the D11.
44.5 At the bottom of the hill, take care as the road bends round to the L and over the rail track. Stay on this road to Rouchefort-mgne. The road climbs.
48.7 When you come into Rochefort-Montagne you will go past a petrol station and a Carrefour and meet with a busy main road. Taking time to wait for a good gap in the traffic, go L here and then after approx. 40 metres go R down an Grand Rue (a small narrow road). This junction has fast moving traffic from the R so please take care.
49.0 You will meet with a T-jcn at an optician. Go R here. Follow the road round and you will see a sign for Le Mont Dore 18 along the D80A. Take this road to your R and continue up the hill.
You will have a very long climb now but the scenery is stunning.
54.9 At the top of the climb there is a fantastic viewpoint on your L which is well work a stop. To continue along the route you need to go R here along the D983 to Le Mont Dore 9.
From here you will stay on the road to Mont Dore. The road is mostly downhill but there is a short gradual climb part way down the hill.
60.0 As you come into Le Mont Dore you will come to a No Entry Sign. If you are staying at the Hotel La Russie then you will need to dismount and walk through the No Entry sign along the road and the Hotel de Russie is on your L. If you’re staying at the Grand Hotel then keep straight on and you will come to the hotel a bit further along.
The Grand Hotel
2 Rue Maynadier, 63240, Le Mont Dore.
0033 4 73 65 02 64
Hotel La Russie
3 Rue Favart, 6320, Le Mont Dore
0033 4 73 65 05 97