Cycling Stay Haut-Lignon

We head to the Ardèche for this first day with the discovery of some spectacular roads.

After a passage near the lake of Devesset, we will descend into the valley of the Eyrieux. The landscape here is very different from the Haut-Lignon with deep valleys and steep slopes. We are here in the heart of volcanism.

We chose to go back up to the plateau via the Saint-Clément road. Many cyclists know it from having ridden it during the Ardéchoise. Its ascent will allow you to enjoy its immense panoramas in the middle of the basaltic organs. From the first few kilometres after Chapelle-sous-Chanéac to the finish in Saint-Clément, a 13 km ride awaits you to reach the charming village of Fay-sur-Lignon.

Several options will then be available for the return to Tence, and the bravest will begin to discover the region of Yssingeaux where we will return by the end of the stay.

For this second day, we will go to the ascent of the Mount Mézenc, finally of the pass of the Cross of Peccata which passes at the foot of the summits! Of original volcanic origin, Mont Mézenc has the originality of having 2 summits, one in Haute-Loire and the second in Ardèche. The result is a characteristic shape that is quite different from those of the other volcanoes in the region.

After a diversion via the resort of Les Estables, which is very popular with cross-country skiers in winter, we will reach the Saint-Front lake, a wild lake of volcanic origin.

The return journey will be via the Meygal massif, another cross-country skiing mecca. Although we are at a modest altitude (between 1000 and 1300 m), this plateau is regularly covered with snow during the winter period.

In spring, it is another spectacle that is offered to us in the middle of the daffodils and narcissus that colonise the slopes of the Sucs d’Yssingeaux.

If you still have some energy left, we advise you to make a diversion to Bigorre, a hamlet whose houses are built of stone and covered with thatch or lauzes, two types of roofing typical of this region.

The Yssingeaux region offers very picturesque roads for cycling, framed by the sucs, the ancient volcanoes that are very present in the region. They offer a mini-theatre in which this day will take place.

The day will start on a pleasant shaded road before passing by the Lavalette dam. Built on the river Lignon, this dam is the main source of drinking water for the Saint-Etienne area. It also houses a nautical base where sailing can be practised.

We will take a new section of the Via Fluvia with the Chapelette viaduct and its small tunnel to reach the village of Grazac.

We then head for the Loire Valley, which is still a modest river at this point, before heading back up to Yssingeaux.

We will return through the villages of Mazet-Saint-Voy and Le Chambon-Sur-Lignon, known for having taken in Jewish children during the Second World War. A museum tells this story in Chambon-sur-Lignon.

Those who have chosen the long trip will pass through the village of Queyrières, which has the particularity of being built around a basalt hillock.

On this last day of your cycling trip, we will ride up the watershed towards Saint Bonnet le Froid. This village will bring back memories for rally car enthusiasts. The village is now famous among gourmets thanks to Régis and Jaques Marcon, and their restaurant Clos des Cimes, a 3*** restaurant.

We will continue towards the north, taking roads that are not very well frequented. Don’t be surprised if you only come across a car every 10 kilometres! After the Col du Tracol, we enter the Loire department and the Pilat Regional Nature Park. The highest point of the day, the Col de la République at 1161 m, marks the finish of the Véloccio climb organised every spring from Saint-Etienne.

We will reach Dunières on the Via Fluvia, a greenway that follows the route of the old railway line between Annonay and Firminy. Admire the engineering structures built over a century ago!