This is a brief introduction to the Auvergne area where routes 9, 10 and 11 are mapped out.
In this landscape, where volcanoes dominate, the unique landscape is formed by magma. This is quite different from the Alps or the Pyrenees, which were formed by violent earthquakes.

Motorcycling is an experience here, and the best time to do it in this area is from June to September. The craters, the pristine landscape, and the clear air make you feel like you've stepped back in time.
There's no end to the lovely twists and turns here! There are plenty of campsites in this area, so finding a place to stay shouldn't be a problem. Links to the other two routes in this area can be found in the review.

This is the review of the third in a series of three routes that wind through the Auvergne. This route has also been adapted into a circular route, with an overnight stay at Camping des Blats in Saint-Jacques-des-Blats. This route follows on from the previous route in this series, and the starting point is at the Pas de Peyrol.

We remain at an altitude of one and a half kilometers until we reach the Col de Redondet. From this ridge and parking area in the hairpin bend, you can see "Le Cirque de Falgoux." This glacial cirque contains the largest forest in the department, consisting of pectinate pines cultivated for commercial purposes.

After the Col de Redondet, we enjoy a beautiful descent into the "Vallée des Mandailles," riding along the Jordanne River. The green landscape alternates with steep cliffs dotted with caves. The river contains gold, and in the past, it was a laborious process to extract it. Despite various attempts to make mining more efficient, it proved unprofitable, and the prospectors disappeared from the landscape.

The tiny village of Mandailles was once a base for blacksmiths and plumbers, who traveled throughout France looking for work. We drive through the "Vallée des Mandailles" to the village of St. Círgues-de-Jordanne. Here, take the small D59 on the left, which crosses the Jordanne River and ends at Le Croix de Cheules. Here, the route becomes La Route des Crêtes, situated on a ridge with the Jordanne Valley on one side and the Authre Valley on the other, offering beautiful panoramic views on both sides.

About six kilometers before Aurillac, there's a left turnoff. You can choose to turn left here to avoid Aurillac. Take the D58, which joins the D17 at St. Simon and runs via Boussac to Gíou-de-Mamou, where you'll join the N122. Aurillac is actually quite a pleasant town with a historic center featuring several interesting buildings and several museums, so if you want to stop here, continue straight ahead and, after your visit, take the N122 to Gíou-de-Mamou to rejoin the route.

The N122 is a beautiful route that goes along quickly, you drive through a beautiful landscape and you pass two castles, Château fort de Pesteils near Polignac, which is situated high on a flattened rock, and Château de Comblat, a Gothic style country house near Comblat.

Arriving in Vîc-sur-Cère, turn right and cross the Cère River, then under the railway line, to join the D54 towards "Rocher des Pendus." This rock was once the site of the executions, and offers a beautiful view. The viewpoint is a good half-hour walk from the parking lot opposite the inn.

We continue towards Píerrefort on the D54. This road alternates between uphill and downhill sections and features many beautiful bends, stunning panoramas, charming villages, and the occasional church. At Píerrefort, the final 38 kilometers of this route are on small, green D-roads. Along the way, you'll pass through Brezons and along the river of the same name.

At Prat-de-Bouc, we stopped for a bite to eat. Here, you're less than two kilometers (as the crow flies) from the summit of the "Plomb du Cantal," which lies at an altitude of 1,885 meters. There's a path over the "Col de la Tombe du Père." At the summit, you have a magnificent 360-degree view. The colors of the volcanic rock, the shapes of the mountains, and the changing constellations in the sky create beautiful, dramatic images, especially later in the day.

We continue to the original end point of the route, Murat (In July you can visit the annual Comic Strip Festival in Murat), where we turn left and follow the N122 to our end point, the camping des Blats.