Thiers, a region in Auvergne, France, is situated within the vast Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park. This area presents a varied landscape, encompassing dense conifer forests, lush meadows, high-altitude moors, and the wooded slopes of the Livradois and Forez mountains. The Durolle River flows through the historic "Factory Valley," and the region offers panoramic views over the Limagne Plain towards the Chaîne des Puys volcanic chain. These diverse natural features make Thiers suitable for several outdoor sports like mountain biking, hiking,…
124
Routes
4.5
(370)
Average rating
5904
People visited
4.5
(28)
107
hikers
11.9km
03:45
460m
460m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.5
(15)
66
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.9
(9)
47
hikers
10.7km
03:19
400m
400m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(20)
197
hikers
3.81km
01:00
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.9
(9)
1,656
riders
112km
05:00
1,100m
1,100m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.0
(1)
16
riders
60.8km
03:12
1,060m
1,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.3
(6)
108
riders
69.9km
03:46
1,410m
1,410m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.5
(2)
78
riders
68.8km
03:49
1,490m
1,490m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.3
(3)
32
riders
38.4km
03:27
790m
790m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
26
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(3)
18
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.7
(3)
18
riders
32.1km
03:15
840m
840m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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5.0
(4)
22
riders
56.3km
03:24
330m
330m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
4.0
(1)
25
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
6
riders
79.7km
05:04
910m
910m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.2
(10)
78
riders
91.0km
05:22
330m
330m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
23
runners
8.79km
01:11
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
3.0
(1)
476
runners
50.7km
06:24
1,730m
1,730m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(6)
138
runners
12.4km
01:23
260m
260m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.5
(2)
85
runners
6.94km
00:49
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(6)
43
riders
55.3km
03:22
190m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(5)
49
riders
22.2km
01:19
70m
70m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
riders
41.6km
02:47
120m
130m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
10
riders
50.8km
04:14
1,220m
1,220m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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The Thiers region, situated within the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, offers a variety of outdoor activities. These include mountain biking, hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. The area features diverse landscapes, from dense forests and lush meadows to high-altitude moors.
Thiers is part of France's largest mountain bike area, "Destination Grand R," which encompasses the Massif des Bois Noirs. This extensive network provides nearly 2,780 km of signposted trails suitable for various skill levels. Mountain biking trails are particularly notable around Vollore-Montagne near Thiers. For more information, consult the MTB Trails around Thiers guide.
The Thiers region offers diverse hiking opportunities through varied terrains, including quaint villages, medieval alleys, and traditional jasseries. Trails provide panoramic views of the Auvergne mountains and sometimes the distant Alps. The Hiking around Thiers guide details many routes, including easy hikes and waterfall hikes.
Yes, the Thiers region features peaceful country roads and lanes ideal for road cycling and touring cycling. These routes offer a relaxed way to explore picturesque villages and historical sites. Cyclists can find dedicated routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Thiers and Cycling around Thiers guides.
Notable natural features include the Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park, the Bois Noirs Mountains, and the Durolle River. Thiers itself offers views over the Limagne Plain towards the Chaîne des Puys volcanic chain. The Grün de Chignore Summit, at 3,524 feet (1,074 meters), provides a 360° vista of the Auvergne volcanoes.
The optimal time for engaging in outdoor activities in the Thiers region is during the spring and summer months. This period, typically from May to September, offers the most pleasant conditions for mountain biking, hiking, and cycling.
The Thiers region offers routes suitable for various skill levels, including more accessible green and blue trails for leisurely exploration. Lake Aubusson, surrounded by forests, has well-maintained paths suitable for walking or mountain biking. The Easy hikes around Thiers guide provides options for less strenuous activities.
The Thiers region is popular among outdoor enthusiasts on komoot, with more than 1,400 routes available. These routes have been explored by over 27,000 visitors and hold an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction with the outdoor experiences offered.
Komoot offers several guides for the Thiers region, covering various sports. These include MTB Trails around Thiers, Hiking around Thiers, Road Cycling Routes around Thiers, and Cycling around Thiers. Additional guides for jogging, easy hikes, gravel biking, and waterfall hikes are also available.
For official tourism information about the Thiers region and the Livradois-Forez, contact the Maison du Tourisme du Livradois-Forez. The phone number for the Thiers Tourist Office is +33 (0)4 73 80 65 65. The official website for the city of Thiers is ville-thiers.fr.
The Livradois-Forez Regional Natural Park is a vast protected area in Auvergne, France, encompassing the Thiers region. It features a diverse landscape of forests, meadows, high-altitude moors, and the wooded slopes of the Livradois and Forez mountains. The park is recognized as a "Territory of excellence for outdoor activities."
The Durolle River winds through the "Factory Valley" below Thiers' medieval quarter. Historically, its turbulent waters were crucial for powering the region's cutlery factories. Walking trails along its banks offer views of old mills, providing insight into the area's industrial past.