Col du Béal – Béal Pass loop from Thiers

Bike touring routes & trails

France

Auvergne Rhône Alpes

Col du Béal – Béal Pass loop from Thiers

Hard

riders

Col du Béal – Béal Pass loop from Thiers

06:17

88.7km

1,790m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parc naturel régional Livradois-Forez

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.44 km

la durolle

Lake

24.8 km

Le Brugeron Village

Highlight • Settlement

Small village part of the Livradois-Forez regional natural park
Beautiful church to see

Translated by Google •

Tip by

40.9 km

A steady, shaded climb through the Brugeron forest leads to the open, wild landscape of Hauts de Chaume, often swept by a strong breeze. More accessible than the St Pierre slope from a cycling perspective.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

41.7 km

Col du Béal

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

I recommend the ascent by the small road of the stream of La Gérize

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Tip by

44.1 km

Béal Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The striking beauty of the landscape between the Loire and Auvergne, the fresh air of the high altitude, the cuisine of the numerous Auberges in the vicinity, all the hiking and biking options... Everything make a perfect destination in this less known part of France.

Tip by

86.3 km

Usine du Creux, Vallée des Usines, Thiers

Highlight • Historical Site

Spectacular, the Valley of Factories is a pleasant way to climb to the summit of Thiers while avoiding main road traffic. The richness of the industrial heritage is remarkable.

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Tip by

87.4 km

Old Town of Thiers

Highlight • Historical Site

Local curiosities from the Middle Ages deserve a mention: the “Peddes”, which in Thiers designate an inhabited passage connecting two medieval houses.

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Tip by

87.6 km

Thiers — Cutlery Capital

Highlight • Other

Thiers is one sub-prefecture of the department. French capital of cutlery; it is also the largest European cutlery basin.

To have :
- Cutlery Museum
- Upper town, in particular the Antonin Chastel square with its jacquemart
- Saint-Genès church, Saint-Symphorien church and Moutier abbey dwelling, Saint-Jean du Passet church
- Orangery Park
- La Pamparina, international street music festival taking place every year on the first weekend of July.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

88.7 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

82.4 km

4.73 km

944 m

685 m

Surfaces