Destination Grand Air, the largest FFC-certified mountain bike area in France was created in 2021 and extends over the departments of Allier, Loire, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dôme. A diverse and sensational playground is available to 2-wheel enthusiasts. Between passes, lakes and forests, 53 starting points and 156 circuits are offered in the heart of wild and preserved nature.
Destination Grand Air, a giant in the world of mountain bike spaces
Destination Grand Air, the largest mountain bike area in France with the FFC label, was created in 2021 at the initiative of the Massif des Bois Noirs and Ambert Crêtes du Forez mountain bike area. Today, it brings together 4 spaces dedicated to this discipline spread across the departments of Allier, Haute-Loire, Loire and Puy-de-Dôme:
- Massif of the Black Woods,
- Mountains and Plains in Roannais,
- Ambert Crêtes du Forez,
- Vichy Montagne Bourbonnaise.
Destination Grand Air has a total of no less than 156 circuits and 3600 km of circuits certified by the French Cyclotourism Federation.
The combination of these 4 spaces allows you to see the bigger picture and the 3600 km of circuits open up the possibility of traveling stays.
Mountain biking stay in Roannais
With its 1500 km of circuits, Roannais is the ideal playground for a sporting stay. The riding conditions are unique thanks to the multiple marked trails. Hit the slopes and ride in Roannais, a breath of fresh air guaranteed!
![Destination Grand Air au coeur des bois noirs]()
© Clovis Huet / RT ![Balade en VTT au cœur des bois noirs]()
Mountain bike ride in the heart of the black woods © Alain Chapot
Day 1 – Cordelle
Morning: Circuit “Pont de Presle Dam” – 36 km / +829 m
Follow the undulations of the Loire River on this technical circuit. Departing from Cordelle, the fully marked trail begins by following the Villerest Lake and its famous dam. You will then join Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire where you can take a break to discover this charming Village of Character. Get back on the pedals to warm up your legs in the rolling countryside of this track.
Afternoon: Swincar ride
Enjoy a leisurely ride aboard a swincar, an all-terrain electric vehicle. You will discover the hilly landscapes of the Loire and surrounded by nature.
Espiderando, Le Coteau – 07 64 39 97 60
Dinner & Overnight stay: Mars campsite, Cordelle – 04 77 64 94 42
Day 2 – Renaison
Morning: Circuit “By Mountains and By Vines” – 35 km / +880 m
On the first foothills of the Monts du Beaujolais, you will explore the Roanne bocages through green hills and streams.
Afternoon: Ride on all-terrain electric scooters
Discover the region riding all-terrain electric scooters for moments of relaxation and leisure. Have fun and let off steam on the lands of the Côte Roannaise, between hillsides and vineyards.
D'com Trot, Saint-André-d’Apchon – 06 08 12 19 76
Dinner: happy people, Renaison – 09 88 01 95 64
Overnight: home The Romper, Renaison – 06 08 25 15 95
Day 3 – Saint-Priest-la-Prugne
Morning: “Le Puy de Montoncel” circuit – 25,9 km / +762 m
Pedal! Climb hills and peaks from 500 to 1600 meters above sea level during exotic walks. Forest trails guide you through the heart of fir forests, gentians and mountain ash. This tour takes you to the top of Puy-de-Montoncel, highest peak of Bois Noir forest massif, among the oldest forest areas in Europe.
Afternoon: Visit of Urfé castle
In the heart of the Urfé region, the Urfé castle is a medieval building which will offer you a magnificent panorama of the surrounding mountains. The site offers an exceptional panorama from the top of the tower where ten enameled lava panels make it easy to find your way around. It is one of the rare places in France where, on a clear day in the morning, we can observe Puy-de-Dôme and the Mont Blanc massif simultaneously.
Dinner & Overnight stay: London bistro, Saint-Just-en-Chevalet – 04 77 63 30 48
Key figures
- 3900 km of marked trails,
- The Puy de Montoncel with its 1287 meters, the highest peak in the Destination Grand Air mountain bike area,
- 247, the number of km of the largest circuit “Le Tour du Pays Roannais”
- 156 marked trails,
- 53 starting points,
- 4 departments: Allier, Haute-Loire, Loire and Puy-de-Dôme.
The Tour of the Roannais Country
247 km of track in 4 days
Treat yourself to the full tour ofMountain and Plain MTB area in Roannais. Forests, rolling hills, banks of the Loire, Monts de la Madeleine… Difficulties and different landscapes are revealed throughout the 247 km of track.
Day 1: Roanne / Parigny – 59,6 km
A warm-up for the strong: We leave Roanne while crossing the Loire for a rugged loop in the foothills of the Monts du Lyonnais.
It is said that since Coutouvre chapel (to be climbed by the small staircase), the panoramic view allows you to admire 36 bell towers. Are you going to check for us? The green valleys of Trambouzan, Rhodon and finally the Roannaise plain are available to you.
Dinner and Night: Hotel Le Dahu, Parigny – 04 77 62 06 56
Day 2: Parigny / Chérier – 51,7 km
A beautiful mountain stage! From Parigny, we join the Loire gorges in Cordelle to then cross the longest river in France to reach Bully then Saint-Jean-saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, Village of Character. Take advantage of this beautiful village to take a “heritage” break.
We must regain strength around Villerest along the Domaine de Champlong golf course before attacking the wine-growing slopes of the Roannaise coast which takes you to the mounts of the Madeleine to Cherier.
Be careful, it will sting your legs!
Dinner & Overnight stay: The Golden Eagle, Chérier – 04 77 63 15 77
Day 3: Chérier / Saint-Martin d’Estréaux – 58,8 km
From Chérier and its exceptional view of the Roannaise plain, we continue to climb in the woods to reach the Loge des Garde in order to follow the ridge line between Loire and Allier at more than 1000 meters above sea level. Between forest and peat bog glassware plateau, the descent is then gradual towards the Village de Caractère du Crozet to Saint-Martin-d'Estréaux overlooking the Nationale 7 dear to Charles Trénet.
Dinner: The stopper of the 7, Saint-Martin-d’Estréaux -06 22 73 94 86
Overnight: home The Squirrels, Saint-Martin-d’Estréaux – 06 62 27 54 84
Day 4: Saint-Martin-D’Estréaux / Roanne – 77,3 km
Change of atmosphere for this last stage which proposes to wind through the bocage to reach the Lespinasse forest, green lung of Roannais.
We cross the way of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle to then join the Roanne canal in Digoin and its greenway “La Véloire” to quietly finish the tour and join Roanne, along the gravel pits, between river and canal.
Dinner: Terroir, Roanne – 09 75 78 77 25
Overnight: home At Mimi's, Roanne – 04 77 79 18 49
Bike rental
Roannais has many service providers to equip you if, however, you arrive in the heart of Roannais without your mount. They will offer you mountain bikes, electrically assisted mountain bikes and hybrid bikes.
LUCILE’S OPINION
We're not going to lie, mountain biking is not my favorite area! But I like the idea that the Roannais has a national reputation in this discipline. Thanks to the different FFC-certified mountain bike areas, you can discover the different landscapes of our beautiful territory. AND I'm counting on the new electrically assisted mountain bikes to help me climb the steepest slopes!
