Located on the borders of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Bois Noirs massif rises to 1634 meters in Pierre-sur-Haute and extends over three departments: Allier, Loire and Puy-de-Dôme. Between big breath of fresh air, techniques and small bursts of speed, lovers of mountain biking and wide open spaces will appreciate recharging their batteries in the Bois Noirs forest.
The Bois Noir massif offers an abundance of reliefs and routes with a preserved and diversified nature: plains, valleys, forests, mountains, streams and other exceptional panoramas making the experience unique.
Birth of the largest FFC-labeled mountain bike area in France
OUTDOOR DESTINATION
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BLACK WOODS MASSIF
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AMBERT CRETES DU FOREZ
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VICHY MOUNTAIN BOURBONNAISE
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MOUNTAIN AND PLAIN IN ROANNAIS
In June 2020, the alliance of two centers: Ambert, within the Livradois-Forez regional natural park, in the Puy-de-Dôme and the Bois Noirs in the Loire, brings together 2400 kilometers of marked trails. It opens up almost endless possibilities. A day trip or a roaming trip, mountain biking is the best way to discover a still wild territory in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
On the Roannais side, several towns serve as starting points: Champoly, Chausseterre, Juré, La Tuillière, Les Salles, Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, Saint-Marcel-d'Urfé, Saint-Priest-la-Prugne, Saint-Romain-d'Urfé.
In 2021, following the junction with the Espace VTT / FFC Ambert and Crêtes du Forez and the Espace VTT / FFC Vichy Montagne Bourbonnaise, the space offers 125 circuits with 2780 kilometers of routes labeled by the French Cycling Federation.
In 2022, the creation of theMTB area / FFC Mountain and plain in Roannais comes to enlarge the largest ski area in France: Destination Grand Air.
Key figures
- 2780 kilometers of marked trails or 125 possible circuits
- 26 municipalities have come together to offer a wide choice of courses (Champoly, Chausseterre, Saint-Just-en-Chevalet, Noirétable, Saint-Rémy-sur-Durolle, etc.)
The starting points
The various points of departure from Roanne to the Bois Noir massif are as follows:
- Floorwear
- Sworn
- Saint-Just-en-Chevalet
- Saint-Priest-la-Prugne
- Saint-Romain-d'Urfé
- Rooms
- La Tuiliere
- Champoly
- Saint-Marcel-d'Urfé
There is a parking lot at each of these starting points. Via this list, you will find the 70 circuits of the massif. For information, it takes an average of 7 km / hour for green circuits, 8 km / hour for blue circuits and 10 km / hour for red and black circuits.
All these circuits are present on the new topoguide on sale at the tourist office of Roanne and online priced at € 20,00. Inside you will find the travel plan of the largest MTB / FFC area with 126 circuits with 2780 kilometers marked and labeled by the French Cycling Federation.
![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Floorwear ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Sworn ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Saint-Just-en-Chevalet ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Saint-Priest-la-Prugne ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Saint-Romain-d'Urfé ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
Rooms ![Sur les chemins des bois noirs]()
La Tuiliere
Pedal! Climb hills and peaks from 500 to 1600 meters in altitude during exotic walks. They can be both family and sporty. Admire the soft sleeping reliefs. Flirt with the wind blowing in your face. The forest tracks guide you in the heart of forests of fir trees, gentians and rowan trees. Each starting point corresponds to different loops, which multiplies the possibilities. As proof: it is technically possible to drive for a month without ever taking the same path!
The Puy de Montoncel in the heart of the Black Woods
At 1287 meters above sea level, the Puy-de-Montoncel, accessible by walking through the massif, offers a 360 ° view. Puy de Montoncel is located at the convergence of three departments: Allier, Loire and Puy-de-Dôme.
You will be in a space with protected natural environments: peat bogs, forests ... Respect them and take care so that everyone can enjoy them for a long time to come.
5 good reasons to practice mountain biking in the Black Woods
- The circuits are offered according to the level of each: green, blue, red, black. A good indicator for families and beginners.
- You will be able to discover during group hikes the sensations provided by this sport with approved supervisors and perfect connoisseurs of the massif.
- For the more novice, electric assistance is welcome to relieve the thighs and calves and make the most of the unobstructed views, sometimes as far as the Puy de Dôme.
- The guidebook will give you essential information on the various services available in the municipalities crossed: water points, washing points, etc. To be found in our tourist offices and on our Online Store : Topoguide at 20 €. Travel Plan of all circuits at 3 €.
On all the departure boards, on the topoguide and on the travel plan, a specific quotation for electric mountain bikes is present, for all the circuits of the mountain bike area of the Bois Noirs massif.
- Each year the Bois Noirs Oxygène hike labeled “Rando d'or FFC” is organized at the end of June. The event brings together between 800 and 1000 mountain bikers and aims to discover the territory.
The highlight
- Oxygen Black Woods! - June
Each year, the Bois Noirs Oxygène hike with the “Rando d'or FFC” label is organized on the last weekend of June. The event brings together between 700 and 1000 mountain bikers and aims to introduce people to the territory. This race offers 6 circuits of 10 to 100 kilometers. Also offered is a 40 kilometer enduro-type circuit with 7 specials called “Endurolle”. And a free and supervised semi-nocturnal outing, accessible to all participants is on the program. Find out more
TOURIST INFORMATION
MTB-FFC area of the Massif des Bois Noirs
53 route des Salles
42430
Floorwear
Marion's opinion
To be completely honest, I am far from being a seasoned mountain biker, and I have a bit of apprehension before leaving, but I am also motivated to discover the Roannais by mountain bike! Thank you for the new technology, I walk the paths with an electric mountain bike… Supposedly with assistance, the climbs will pass by themselves! On the roads: no more traffic noise, the mountains on the horizon, immersion in nature guaranteed ... you too dare to go electric mountain biking in the dark woods! Change of scenery guaranteed!
